Tuesday 1 July 2008

Back to the heat and humidity

I am back in Rome after a whirlwind trip down south to Malito, Calabria.

It was so nice to get away from Rome even if it was only for 2 nights! When I left the filth ridden Tiburtina station at midnight Friday night I could barely breath the air was so thick with smog and heat (not to mention gypsies and homeless people.)It was 25 degrees still at that time of night, and when I woke up at 6am in the morning my bus had arrived and I was once again able to breathe in the fresh, relatively pollution free Calabrian air.

The weather was far from perfect in Calabria, the days were very stormy with thick, hot wind making a passeggiata a rather sweaty experience...so we went to the beach instead. Bel ragazzo does not come from a seaside town, his little village of 800 odd people is nestled up in the Calabrian mountains, but the sea is only a short drive away. This time we headed off to a beach which is officially in Catanzaro the neighbouring region. As I said the weather was a little touch and go, but the water was cold and crystal clear, the beach practically empty and it was our first time to the beach this summer!





Here are some pics from the village:

One of the churches


The fountain which is February this year was frozen.


Nice view


Bel ragazzo's country house which we are going to do up one of these days.


It is a lovely old house but has no water or electricity (at the moment.)


Calabria is such a wonderful, undiscovered region with such potential but it has never really made it onto the tourist map. Most people just use it as a gateway for Sicily to be honest which is such a shame. Why - you ask... What is the problem with Calabria? Why does no one want to go there?

Well my friends. I will save that for another blog.

For now I've got to go and meet some guests at the Termini Train station. They are not actually here with my company but there is a little scandal going on which has already made news in the UK and Ireland. The British Embassy is involved so therefore my lips for the moment must be sealed...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was just in Rome Friday and Saturday and the heat and humidity were so unbearable, not to mention the train ride down to Lamezia...Here in Catanzaro the weather is also humid but I would much rather be here than back in Rome. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip down to Calabria. Aren't the beaches here just marvelous? :)

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Carla,
Lucky you being in Calabria! The beaches in Calabria are marvelous...so nice and clean when compared to other parts of Italy. I was in Rimini once and the water was SO dirty I could not bare to go in.

Anonymous said...

Your pictures made me super excited for my trip. I can't wait!!! :)
Calabria really is Italy's best kept secret....but I imagine in time people will eventually clue in.
I'm glad to hear you had a great time in Malito and that you got to enjoy the beach before it gets too crowded!!

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Lulu,
Before to long you'll be just up the road from Malito in your dads village. I can just imagine how excited you must be!

Rosa said...

I haven't been to Calabria in years. its so complicated to get to from here :(

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Oh I *wish* we had some stormy weather here! We've had some threatening clouds, but no rain for weeks :(

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Scintilla,
Shame that it is hard for you to get to Calabria. One day you'll be back :)

Hi Michelle,
I cannot believe the stormy weather was in the Cosenza district rather then Catanzaro. You must be sweltering!