Water Sports in Calabria

September 3, 2010
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People looking for a second home in southern Italy are turning their attention to a place noted not only for its wonderful scenery and great year-round weather but also for its water sports. Calabria is considered a paradise for various water sport activities like sailing, scuba diving, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling, and fishing.

Water sport enthusiasts falling under different categories from amateurs to professionals travel from all over the world and flock to the Calabrian region to enjoy sun and sea. While the new sports enthusiasts take lessons from more experienced friends or qualified instructors, others hide off to their hotels or some other type of accommodation near the sport or recreational areas. There are actually many first-rate beach resorts and hotels in the surrounding countryside. As an example, Tropea on the Calabrian coast offers charming resorts with fantastic scenic views.  Resorts there have largely withstood modern developments which are evident in other parts of the Calabrian Riviera.  Travellers’ choice of accommodation varies with their needs and personal preferences, but water sport enthusiasts make sure they will easily be able to hie off to enjoy their favourite pastime.

After getting settled, swimmers can go directly to Dino Island off the coast of Praja a Mare where they can enjoy a splash in the clear water surrounded by fish. A guided cruise tour during the day is a terrific idea. Tourists learn more interesting background information like shark behaviour while not missing out on so many scenic spots.

Underwater diving is another great water sports activity in Calabria, showing people amazing marine life. When it comes to water sports, Calabria ranks high on top of the list of vacationers. Get maximize enjoyment by visiting the beaches dotting the Calabrian coastlines.

Best Beaches in Calabria

September 2, 2010
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best beaches in calabria1

best beaches in calabria1

BEST BEACHES IN CALABRIA

Visitors to to this region are often overwhelmed by the best beaches in Calabria.  Calabria offers a great diversity of landscape with long sandy beaches and coastal landscapes, national parks and mountains backdrops.  It has three coastlines that offer a multitude of beaches and coves and curve round to meet in Reggio Calabria.  Calabria offers mile upon mile of rocky covers, headlands, and sandy beaches dotted with wildlife and quaint villages and towns.

Visitors and travelers are sure to be fascinated by the best beaches in Calabria because for one are not overcrowded as in many other European destinations.  With a number of clean water awards, the waters surrounding Calabria are sparkling clean and calm.  The beaches are most peaceful during the winter months but still the temperatures reach a very pleasant 25 degrees.

More specifically, the coastline is superbly stunning on the Costa Viola referred to as the violet coast and Costa degli Dei referred to as the coast of the gods both located South of Tropea.

A picturesque fishing village in Costa Viola, Scilla, was named after the sea monster of the famous fable and is well renowned for its beauty.  According to local legend, Scilla was a charming and beautiful girl who sat at the rock overhanging above the ocean.  Scilla drew the ire of a witch upon her, turning her into a violent sea creature.

Today, the Castello dei Ruffo occupies the rock in which Scilla sat upon.  Castello dei Ruffo was a Castle and defense structure used against attacks from the sea and is still a prominent feature.

The quiet fishing place of Chianalea is also a sight to see.  Visitors and travelers can have lunch on sea nails at Alla Pescatora, drink clear soda, or take a bite of swordfish at Grotta Azzurra.  The other most popular beaches in Calabria are Costa degli Dei include Torre Ruffa, Santa Maria, Grotticelle, and Baia de Riace.

Why is Calabria Property So Cheap?

September 1, 2010
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Calabria is a region on the south-western tip of Italy, and as places go it is surely one of the most beautiful in the world. Far from over-developed, gorgeous meadows slope up gentle hillsides from the sea which surrounds you on three sides.

The fact that it is in Italy alone should make property start at £120,000, the gorgeous coastlines, landscapes and climate should secure the prices at that floor. Yet you can buy a property in Calabria for 62,000 Euros. That’s a 1 bedroom apartment in Calabria for £52,825 at the moment, and with the Pound strengthening this is getting cheaper still to British buyers. So why is this?

The answer is that overseas property buyers, Calabrian-Property.com’s target market are buying off-plan property in Calabria, as there aren’t many resale properties to choose from in Calabria, and when you remove those who won’t sell to foreigners it becomes even less.

So, as an overseas buyer of Calabria property, you get a discount because of what is seen as the risk of buying off plan property. Therefore you are actually getting a far better property than you are paying for, because you are getting it for below its market value. This is also giving you instant equity in the property, and instant return on investment.

When these properties are completed they will not only be liveable, but luxury living and capable of fetching top dollar on the rental market. Contact us to find out more about buying property in Calabria today.

Ski Resorts in Calabria

August 31, 2010
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Experience a piece of paradise in Italy through a ski adventure in Calabria. This popular destination for ski lovers everywhere bustles with activity during wintertime. Many villages within Sila, one of Calabria’s mountainous plateaus, transform into ski resorts. One of them is Camigliatello, one of the major tourist centers in Sila known for the wide array of winter sports and top-rated hotels.

Among the other ski resorts in Calabria people flock to is Gambarie, a small but wonderful place located in Aspromonte. Around 2,198 feet of wonderful vertical descent is enough to lure those showing a newfound interest in skiing, or have intermediate skills already.

There are some interesting historical places in some of the ski resorts in Calabria. Gambarie happens to be where Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian revolutionary, reportedly rested his head on a hollow tree during a battle in Aspromonte during the political unification of Italy.

For ski experts who want the most glamorous and sophisticated ski resort, a worthy choice is Courmayeur, which offers plenty of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, cable cars, chairlifts and helicopters – the perks! The place is frequented for summer and winter skiing.

Beginning ski enthusiasts may be better off trying baby slopes first, though.

Skiing can be quite costly, so unless money is not an object, get the ski vacation deals in Italy, and plan your skiing adventure during the time Italians take their ski holiday. Ski passes can also make your Italian ski holiday more affordable. Hotel rates also plunge during non-peak season – that should save you some funds. Combine your ski plans with visits to other scenic places in Calabria for a truly pleasurable trip.

Sailing in Calabria

August 30, 2010
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Novice or experienced, Calabria offers one of the most unique sailing areas. One of the beautiful towns in Calabria, Tropea, even has schools teaching the maneuvers for sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts. Courses include catamaran sailing and windsurfing for neophytes. Get the thrill of your life by checking out the famous windsurfing and sailing stations, or try the Hobie Cat training donning suitable gear like wet suits and life jackets.

There are several fascinating islands and sailing areas off Calabria, like Isole Eolie. You may enjoy a guided tour and choose an itinerary departing from Tropea. The islands in the isle of Lipari, with its wide variety of landscapes may be among the focal points of the cruise. One of the dream sailing destinations is Mar Tirreno. Salina, part of the Aeolian Islands, captivates with its lush nature, while Filicudi enchants and ranks among the top snorkelling and sailing vacation spots. Panarea also beckons.  Though it is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, Panarea is known as the summer retreat for Italy’s well-heeled.  Elegant villas and remarkable-looking yachts in the port are a common sight in Panarea.

A cruise to the scenic and historic islands which are situated a comfortable distance from each other and from the Calabrian mainland will also give vacationers a glimpse of evidence of volcanic history. A tour may even be arranged up to the crater of a volcano.

Time your sailing vacation between early spring and late autumn and have the time of your life sailing with friends in Calabria.