Feudo Montalto Golf Club is situated in Limbadi, a small town near Capo Vaticano and Tropea.
The 9 hole course, designed by Baldovino Dassu, has been built in on an old farm and lays among orange and olive trees. For a small fee of up to €30 per person, you can spend the day golfing here on this amazing course, once your game is completed; your fee allows you to play as many rounds as you wish.
Mountain sports and outdoor pursuits
The rugged and wild Calabria countryside is ideal terrain in which to practise exhilarating activities like rock climbing, rafting and skiing. This mountainous region has some of the largest areas of untamed wilderness left in Italy with dense forests, lakes and caves. Immensely beautiful, it offers many challenges for those who thrive on adventure and is a haven for nature lovers with exotic flora and fauna and abundant wildlife.
Calabria Weather- Clear blue skies and skiing
Calabria weather becomes cooler and more changeable during winter although it still remains the warmest region in peninsular Italy. Mild winter days of 15 - 17c are normal at this time of year and visitors can expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. The east coast beach resorts enjoy the best winter weather in Calabria region and it boasts the most consistent year round climate in Europe. Higher ground will see fog and mist and heavy snowfall and skiing is possible in areas such as the Sila mountain range. Calabria has an enviable winter climate and makes an ideal low season.
Hot and dry days are guaranteed with clear skies and brilliant sunshine during summer with Calabria weather having temperatures of 30c in July and enjoying 12 hours of sun. The Ionian coast is warmer and drier than the Tyrrhenian coastline and enjoys lower humidity and pleasant sea breezes. The mountainous inland region is more prone to variations in temperature and will feel cooler with cloud cover common. Summer months may see slight rain on the coast which may fall in infrequent heavy bursts but is very rarely persistent.
The Sila is the name of the mountainous plateau located in Calabria, it occupies part of the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro, and is divided into the Sila Greca, Sila Grande and Sila Piccola ranges. The Sila houses the eponymous National Park. Camigilatello is a classical alpine village, a great spot for exploring amazing densely wooded areas during the summer, if you enjoy hiking then you will love the 3 mile climb up to Monte Botte Donato and take in the breath taking views of the Ionian and Tyrhennian seas. In winter, the Sila’s becomes one of Italy’s best cross-country skiing areas. The season can start from November right through to the end of February and with slopes as long as 7km in length, it is a great experience for both advanced and intermediate skiers alike.
Scuba Diving
The warm seas off the Calabrian coastline provide Italy's best diving and have the benefit of over 50 sunken wrecks to explore. Some date back to roman times and as late as the 1970's and offer unique underwater scenery that will challenge the most experienced scuba diver. Diving courses and live aboard cruises are available at some beach resorts and often include diving around the Sicily coastline.
Festivals and Pageants
Many colourful festivals take place in towns and villages throughout Calabria each year with origins going back many centuries. Vibrant parades and processions fill village squares often accompanied by games and music and provide excellent photo opportunities. In general they celebrate important religious dates and crop harvests and this is an ideal chance to sample delicious local food and wine in a traditional setting.
Arts and Crafts
The region of Calabria is famed throughout Italy for its artistic craft industry with woodcarvings and textile products popular with locals and visitors. Perhaps most well known is the pottery of Seminara which incorporates stylish designs of nature and wildlife figures. Many towns have busy craft markets for souvenir hunters such as Cosenza and Soverato.
Coastal villages
Experience the seafaring traditions of southern Italy with a visit to a charming fishing village. Perched precariously on high cliff tops or in rugged natural harbours, coastal communities are to be found throughout the region. Admire traditional limestone houses often displaying unique Greek designs, ancient churches or the bustling activity of a charming cobbled piazza. Enjoy local specialities, friendly hospitality and an unhurried, relaxing day by the sea.
Archaeological Sites
The region of Calabria has been home to many peoples over the course of history and there are many locations of special historical importance with settlements unearthed from the Iron Age to Roman and Greek rule. Visit the awe inspiring Iron Age necropolis of Torre Galli, a site of ancient ritual burials and containing a fantastic range of earthenware and weapons from its day or admire early Greek cliff top settlements dating back to 400AD. Many sites have only recently been discovered and the region is gaining a reputation as a haven for history lovers and archaeologists.
Calabria Resorts - Spectacular coastline dotted with sandy bays and rocky coves
Holidays in the region of Calabria offer a variety of different landscapes, from the stunning coastal areas, with craggy cliffs set against the brilliant blue seas, to the rugged mountainous inland, dotted with traditional villages, and even a small ski area. The region of Calabria is flanked by both the Tyrrenian Sea on the western side and the Ionian Sea on the east, with the towns on this coast having a strong Greek influence. The major resorts in the region of Calabria include Scalea, a typical seaside resort with plenty of tourist facilities and Tropea, one of the most beautiful towns with numerous sandy bays. Amantea and Diamante are both popular historic towns, and the capital of the region of Calabria is its' largest town, Reggio di Calabria.
Holidays in Calabria - Unspoilt, retaining a simple charm and beauty
The region of Calabria has managed to remain relatively untouched and escape mass-tourism, with many of the small hilltop villages and hamlets still enjoying age-old traditions and customs. Cuisine in the region of Calabria tends to be spicy and flavourful, featuring pasta, cheeses and some typically Greek ingredients such as honey and figs, and the area produces sweet white wine. Whilst enjoying a holiday in the region of Calabria, activities include walking, hiking and bird-watching in the national park, horse-riding, rock-climbing and skiing in the mountains, and various watersports such as sailing and scuba- diving along the coast.
Tropea
Tropea is a town in the Vibo Valentia province of Calabria. Tropea is well known for its miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise coloured water and of course it is nicknamed the home of the 'Red Onion'.
There is also an annual Blues festival in the centre of Tropea during September, live bands playing in an open air atmosphere most nights during the festival. Tropea dates back to the 17th century with cobbled narrow streets, charming cafes and a vast amount of souvenirs and fashion shops speckled along the winding and meandering laneways. It’s great to just sit outside one of the cafes of an evening, have a frothy cappuccino and watch all of the Italians enjoying their evening stroll through the streets of Tropea.
Some restaurant recommendations for Tropea:
1. Le Volpi E L'Uva.
2. Hotel Ristorante La Bussola.
3. Al Pinturicchio.
4. Gelateria Tonino.
5. La Lamia.
6. Trattoria Pizzeria L'Arca Di Epifanio Fabio.
7. Trattoria La Botte.
8. Vecchio Granaio.
9. l'arca.
Like a fractured metatarsal on the foot of Italy, the Tropea promontory juts out into the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, its superb white-sand beaches shielded by high cliffs. The town of Tropea pulls off a rare trick by managing to be both fashionable and unspoilt, a maze of steep narrow streets, Renaissance churches and yellow-stone palazzo.
Sunday Times put Tropea at number one spot in its ‘Top 20 Beaches’ report in January 2007.
Gerace
Gerace is inland from the coastal town of Locri, but its elevation allows views of the sea. Gerace is sometimes called "the Florence of the south" for its art and architecture or the "city of saints" for its religious buildings.
If you wish to see one of the largest religious buildings in Calabria then you must pay a visit to Gerace's Norman Cathedral.
Cruises
Mini cruises to the Aeolian Isles depart from the port of Tropea/Capo Vaticano around 7:00am on a 350 seater air conditioned motorship. On this daily trip you get to visit Stromboli, the famous active volcano plus Lipar. Arrive back at Tropea around 19:15pm, a day well spent, don't forget to bring your camera and savour those magic moments.
Pizzo
Pizzo is another beautiful town just a few minutes’ drive from the apartment, famous for its Chiesa di Piedigrotta, a church completely carved out of the tufo rock near the beach. This Calabrian town is also famous for its tartufo, a special delicious kind of ice cream celebrated with a festival in Pizzo every August.
A visit to a renowned ice cream parlour, Enrico's, situated in Marinella, is a must for all ice cream lovers.
Sila Mountains
The Sila is the name of the mountainous plateau located in Calabria, it occupies part of the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro, and is divided into the Sila Greca, Sila Grande and Sila Piccola ranges. The Sila houses the eponymous National Park. Camigilatello is a classical alpine village, a great spot for exploring amazing densely wooded areas during the summer; if you enjoy hiking then you will love the 3 mile climb up to Monte Botte Donato and take in the breath taking views of the Ionian and Tyrhennian seas. In winter, the Sila’s becomes one of Italy’s best cross-country skiing areas. The season can start from November right through to the end of February and with slopes as long as 7km in length, it is a great experience for both advanced and intermediate skiers alike.
Zambrone
Zambrone town offers every amenity and has a traditional piazza, bars, pizzeria, fresh meat from the local butcher, fresh fish delivered every day.
Zambrone Marina has many seasonal bars and restaurants, with excellent food and a large selection of locally made wines available. Priscopio has 2 restaurants, at La Collinetta and Pirapora in season.
