About Scalea
An historical old town set on the Tyrrhenian coastline in the region of Calabria , Southern Italy, a beautiful location surrounded by a clear blue sea and the lush mountains of Pollino National Park . The old town (Centro Storico) is placed high in the town and still the remains of the ancient wall are clear to see. A very popular holiday destination for Italian holidaymakers for decades, yet little known outside of Italy. Because of this you really get a holiday in ‘real Italy', the local people are friendly and helpful, there is not much English spoken here, a good phrase book will help, there are translated menu's in the restaurants and café's.
The climate is one the best in the Mediterranean, with very warm temperatures in the summer months, a soft sea breeze and short mild winters. You can ski on the heights of the Sila Mountains just over an hour away in the morning during the winter months and sunbathe in the afternoon in the Mediterranean sun. Outside of the summer months the town still stays relatively busy and most of the shops and restaurants stay open, a great place for a relaxing break most of the year round.
There is plenty to do during the summer with beach parties, numerous lido's, disco's, markets and local festivals. The beach has well equipped bathing areas and maybe after lying on the beach take a short walk into the town, where there are plenty of shops to have a browse around and big local supermarket.
You will spoilt for choice of restaurants, cafes and bars, the Italian food is second to none and it is common to be eating food grown in the region at very reasonable prices. There are many types of fruit and vegetables grown here including the Cedro fruit which is only grown in the region of Calabria .
How to get here
Lamezia Airport to the south of the region provides low cost airlines direct from the UK, allowing for easy access to Scalea, you can also fly into Naples airport to the north or perhaps fly into Rome and spend a night or two there before getting a train to directly to Scalea.
This is the 'Real' Italy with great food, great weather, traditional culture and warm friendly people, offering a relaxing & enjoyable holiday in the Italian sunshine.
About Calabria
The most southern part of the Italian Peninsula; the area known as "The toe in Italy's boot" between the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea and Gulf of Taranto to the east, to the south-west is the region of Sicily. The regional capital is the city of Catanzaro . The other main urban areas are, Cosenza , Reggio Calabria and Lamezia Terme.
The mountain ranges are the Pollino in the North, the Sila forested plateau in the centre and the Aspromonte and Serre chains in the South.
The Pollino Mountains (National Park) in the north of the region are rugged and form a natural barrier separating Calabria from the rest of Italy, there are Jeep Adventure tours available please ask for further details, it really is quite an experience.
La Sila is a very mountainous plateau, approximately 1,200 metres above sea level, and stretches for nearly 2,000 sq. km. along the central part of Calabria with lakes and coniferous forests.
The Aspromonte Mountains are in the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula bordered with the sea on three sides. This unique mountain range is full of wide, man-made terraces that lead down towards the sea.
The Calabria region has been known for it's agricultural for centuries, vineyards and citrus fruit orchards in the lower regions, with chestnut and olives trees in the higher regions there are forests of oak, beech and pine trees, including a rare bosnian pine. One of the warmest regions in the Meditteranean with many unsploit areas and a wealth of history and culture just waiting to be explored.