Clive, originally a Black Country man (Brierley Hill South Staffordshire/West Mids.) and Kathryn, a Lancastrian (Leyland/Chorley), lived in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire before moving to Scalea some years ago.
The idea of living somewhere warm once the children had become independent had always been very appealing. But we wanted to live life as locals and not be just another English couple on permanent holiday. This philosophy ruled out many of the places that the “home abroad” brochures recommended so we began to search ourselves.
We had been to Italy many times but never traveled any further south on the mainland than the Amalfi coast. Sicily had always been a favourite of ours, but we knew it could be difficult for family to reach us easily from the North of England. So Calabria being the area between Sicily and Amalfi, is where we headed. It took less than twenty four hours to realise we had found home. The poor south as Northern Italians like to call it had it all, rustic charm, outstanding beauty and people always ready to help you or just simply chat and while the odd hour away.
After much house hunting we found Casa Cielo, a house that had seen better days, yet its former glory years still shone through the disrepair. Twelve months of work bought the Casa to a livable state, and within eighteen months we had moved here. The rest of this story is better told over a bottle of wine one summers evening on the roof terrace, watching the sun sink into the sea.
Now established Italian residents we have embraced the Calabrian way of life and become a well known addition to the small community of Scalea’s Centro Storico. We have built a popular and well established business that has entertained guests from all over the World, some who have returned time and again, and many we now class as close friends.
Over the years we believe we have gathered a great knowledge of the local area and Calabria itself. And are always willing to tell you of the history, legends and customs of places you may want to visit. We can tell you of the places well worth visiting and the easiest way of getting there. We can also advise you where to shop, and know the strengths and weaknesses of all the local restaurants, bars and cafés.
Our happiness comes from the satisfaction of making sure that while our guests experience the “Italian life” they also have a holiday they will remember for years to come.
