Holiday Calabria

Welcome

2006-01-28T01:18:00.001Z

We are only a five minute walk from clean, maintained sandy beaches that are popular with Italian families but undiscovered by foreign holidaymakers.

The apartments are set in picturesque gardens that offer a nice perspective at any time of day. The sun rises to greet you on the front balcony for breakfast and will set over the Pollino mountain range visible from the rear at evening drinks.

We offer two apartments to rent on the upper floor of this purpose built development. The larger of the two apartments can be seen on the left with access gained through the private garden (with barbeque facilities). The apartments can be rented seperately or together for a large group. There is gate access between the apartments on the front balcony.

Next >>

Blank 3

2006-01-28T01:18:00.000Z

We are only a five minute walk from clean, maintained sandy beaches that are popular with Italian families but undiscovered by foreign holidaymakers.

The apartments are set in picturesque gardens that offer a nice perspective at any time of day. The sun rises to greet you on the front balcony for breakfast and will set over the Aspromonte mountain range visible from the rear at evening drinks.

We offer two apartments to rent on the upper floor of this purpose built apartment. The larger of the two apartments can be seen on the left with access gained through the private garden (with barbeque facilities). The apartments can be rented seperately or together for a large group. There is gate access between the apartments on the front balcony.

Next >>

Blank 2

2006-01-28T01:17:00.000Z

Availability and Pricing

2006-01-27T09:29:00.004Z

Apartment One is already booked-up for the following dates;

April 1st to the 24th, 2008.

August 1st to September 21st, 2008.

Pricing varies depending on the season. Apartment One is rented on an occupancy basis with a minimum occupancy of 4.

Apartment Two is already booked-up for the following dates;

August 16th to September 4th 10th 2008.

Pricing varies depending on the season. Apartment Two is rented out on an occupancy basis with a minimum occupancy of 2.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries

Email Us

Next >>

The Guest Book

2006-01-27T09:29:00.002Z

A really authentic ITALIAN experience

Excitement…No, Commercialism….No, Loud Music….No, Kiss me Quick hats….No, Lager Louts….No, Loads-a-Brits…..No!

Relaxing….Si, Good apartment facilities….Si, Quiet Beach 5 minute walk away on level ground….Si, Supermarket facilities…Si, Friendly atmosphere…Si, Safe environment and beach/swimming facilities…Si.

Will we Go again? ….SI, SI, SI!!!

I could go on and on but if you are looking for a really authentic ITALIAN experience, this is one you must explore. A quiet location, set in a working Italian village area where the Italians themselves go to on vacation which they have kept to themselves but definitely welcome visitors with open arms and matching hospitality. Don’t be surprised to find a few kilo of oranges and peaches on your front doorstep given to you by the next door neighbours as was our experience. On another occasion we were even given a big bag of fruit by other friends of the owners we did not even recognise and so cannot name!

We had the larger apartment which has all anyone would require (modern facilities, washing machine, fridges, [TV if you really must], etc) but the crowning glories are the superb terraces both front and back with comfortable seating and plenty of space to relax over a bright morning breakfast or coffee and brandy during those beautiful, balmy nights.

Plenty of restaurants and pizzerias are available within a short drive, all at a reasonable cost but a car is a necessity. We found an Italian/English phrase book extremely useful as this is rural Italy, so don’t expect to hear English spoken on every street corner! That said, enjoy the experience of conversing with the locals using ‘sign language’ and a smile. Great for couples or families whose children are of sand castle age but too quiet for teenagers; they don’t know about this part of the World yet!

Go and enjoy a peaceful, relaxing holiday, take plenty of good books and come back feeling really refreshed having sampled great food and wines and still have a few bob left in the current account.

T & A (Surrey, England)

Continue to Guest Photographs>>>

The Guest Book

2006-01-27T09:29:00.001Z

Quiet or busy, your choice

My wife and I are in our retirement years and although fit, we stopped climbing mountains a few years ago.... We have stayed in the large apartment with our grandchildren on two seperate occasions, in July 2003 and August 2005.

The apartment is very comfortable and is great for families. The amount of living space ensures you can choose to get away and have a quiet few minutes to yourself, or indeed the family can get away from you! Everything is easy to use and accessible.

A car is a necessity, although you can walk to the nearest shops, any journey further than this can only be comfortably managed by car. It also means you can explore the beautiful countryside, surrounding towns and coastline - it would be a shame to miss any of it. We intend to visit again in the near future.

K & O, UK

More>>>

Useful Links

2006-01-27T09:28:00.004Z

You may find the following links useful in planning your stay.

The local town has a website

www.comune.villapiana.cs.it (Italian only)

Local information

calabria.indettaglio.it

Next >>

Guest Comments

2006-01-27T09:28:00.002Z

We always appreciate our guests feedback and other guests sometimes find their observations helpful. We encourage our guests not to hesitate to provide us with any criticisms, suggestions or indeed outright flattery if applicable!

Maybe you'll find something of interest locally that we haven't covered; a great restaurant or an overlooked Grecian ruin? We try to expand the information here on an ongoing basis so your updates can be very helpful.

Grazie

Famiglia Diodati

Continue to read our Guest Book

Guest Photographs

2006-01-27T09:28:00.001Z

These photographs were taken by our guests and are reproduced here with their kind permission.

These keen anglers were already under way by 5am.

A luminous moon (and a little camera trickery!)

A few of our guests take a tractor home after a night's beach party.

Sunrise.

Earlier than sunrise!

Just to prove the sun does set....

The Guest Book

2006-01-27T09:28:00.000Z

Relaxing and Beautiful

My partner and I rented the small apartment for the month of August in 2004; we travelled with two cousins and there was ample room to sleep the four of us. The kitchen is probably what you'd call 'compact' but there is sufficient space to cook comfortably. Everything is convenient; the beaches really are only a few hundred yards away and you have the choice of renting an umbrella and chair from the Lido or using the public beach right alongside.

We have friends nearby so we were given a good tour of the area; go to Sibari for night-life as there are lots of bars and restaurants there. In our experience everyone goes out late and stays out very late so if it's quiet when you turn up then it means you're too early! There's a great atmosphere too, the restaurants and bars tend to be around a few piazzas and no matter what time of day there are always families out in force - it feels very safe.

J & S, London.

More >>>

Apartment Photographs

2006-01-27T09:27:00.000Z

More photographs of the apartments .

The lounge area in the large apartment. The sofa turns into a twin bed to provide sleeping space for two.

The view from the balcony of the small apartment. The gate is unlocked if both apartments are rented together for a group. The stairs lead down to the left in the picture.

The large balcony has space for a large dining table and lounge area. We have had 26 guests comfortably dining in this space (using additional furniture from the apartment).

This is the kitchen in the small apartment. The cookers in both apartments are the same and have 6 gas hobs and an electric oven . There is one fridge freezer in the small apartment and two in the large apartment.

The view from the rear balcony of the smaller apartment showing the 3rd sleeping space in the master bedroom.

A comfortable seating area on the large balcony to retire to after dinner.

The Pollino mountain range viewed from the rear balconies.

Next >>

Apartment Two

2006-01-26T19:34:00.000Z

Apartment two is the smaller of the apartments but it can still sleep 6. We recommend however that this apartment is more suited to family of no more that 5 to ensure Mum and Dad get some privacy!

The view of the gardens from the front balcony.

The Dining area can comfortably seat 8 and the kitchen seen to the rear has a fridgefreezer, an electric oven and gas hobs. The sofa folds out for twin sleeping accomodation and a collapsable single bed is also available to provide sleeping space for 3 in this room.

The Master Bedroom has a large comfortable bed and lots of storage space. There is also a single bed in this room to provide sleeping room for 3.

The Bathroom is bright and clean, with shower and bidet. There is also a washing machine for your convenience.

There is ample space on the rear balcony for relaxing and watching the sun go down.

Let's hope they all look like this!

Next >>

Apartment One

2006-01-26T19:04:00.002Z

Apartment One is generous in size, both inside and out and is the larger of the two apartments - It can comfortably sleep 6 adults.

The large balconies at the front and to the rear provide ample space to relax or entertain. The sun rises at the front of the apartment which is conveniently situated near the kitchen and dining area. The sun-awning can be drawn to provide shade all day round.

The Dining area is large and can easily accomodate 10/12 diners. The kitchen seen to the rear has two fridges with freezer compartments, gas hobs and an electric oven.

The master bedroom has a comfortable double bed, lots of storage space and access to the rear balcony and its lovely mountain views.

The second bedroom is intended to be flexible for your needs. It is comfortable as a twin room because of the convenience of the pull-out bed or as a very generous single room; all with lots of wardrobe space. The double doors allow the room to expand onto the large balcony to the rear.

The rear balcony is a nice place to relax and watch the sun go down after a long, hard day relaxing on the beach.

Next >>

How to Get Here

2006-01-26T18:44:00.000Z

Villapiana is in the province of Cosenza in region of Calabria. The area is served by three International airports; Lamezia, Brindisi and Bari.

Ryanair fly to all three airports. Click below to find cheap flights.

You will find it necessary to rent a car if you are not being collected at the airport to continue your journey. Below are some links to Car Rental companies operating in the area.

This Link for Bari.

This Link for Brindisi.

This Link for Lamezia.

Click here for for Michelin Maps directions to Villapiana Scalo via Trebisacce.

Next >>

The Local Area

2006-01-26T18:21:00.000Z

When you arrive at the apartments you will find a guide prepared for you giving you a map of the locality which clearly indicates where you will find all the services you require; including how to get to the beach! (hint; turn left & walk for five minutes!)

The beaches are beautiful at all times of the day.

There is a grocery store on the road next to the apartments and the nearest town (Villapiana) is only a 15 minute walk or short drive from the apartments. Here you will find all the facilities you require to make the most of your stay.

There is a large supermarket located at the edge of the town and a 24 hour Petrol Station/shop a short drive away.

Nearby towns such as Villapiana Lido, Francavilla, Sibari and Trebisacce offer a range of interests from tourism to shopping, leisure activities or even just the opportunity to get some different sand between your toes!

The view from Francavilla back down to the sea.

Next >>

Calabria - a brief history

2006-01-26T18:03:00.000Z

Calabria is situated on the Ionian Sea at the south coast of Italy in the 'arch' of the boot.

A brief history of the region:

Greeks settled heavily along the coast at an early date and several of their settlements, including Sybaris, Croton, and Locri, were numbered among the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, the region never regained its former prosperity.

After the fall of the Roman Empire the inhabitants were in large part driven inland by the spread of malaria and, from the early Middle Ages until the XVII century, by pirate raids. Calabria was devastated during the Gothic War before it came under the rule of a local dux for the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Calabria, which had been the rich breadbasket of Rome before Egypt was conquered, was the borderland between Byzantine rule and the Arab emirs in Sicily, subject to raids and skirmishes, depopulated and demoralized, with vibrant Greek monasteries providing fortresses of culture. In the 1060s, Normans under the leadership of Robert Guiscard's brother Roger established a presence in this borderland, and organized a government along Byzantine lines that was run by the local Greek magnates of Calabria. In 1098, Pope Urban II bestowed on Roger the equivalence of an apostolic legate and the Hauteville clan formed the precursors of the Kingdom of Naples which in one form or another ruled Calabria until the unification of Italy. This kingdom itself came under many rulers: the Habsburg dynasties of both Spain and Austria; the French Bourbon dynasty, and briefly Napoleon's general Joachim Murat, who was executed in the small town of Pizzo.

Throughout all this, Calabria remained a very rural and exploited region. The Aspromonte, a mountainous region of southern Calabria, was the scene of a famous battle of the Risorgimento (unification of Italy), in which Garibaldi was wounded. Several important philosophers (namely, Bernardino Telesio from Cosenza, Gioacchino da Fiore from San Giovanni in Fiore, Tommaso Campanella from Stilo) came from Calabria, and famous Americans of Calabrian descent are almost too numerous to name.

The seawater around Calabria is very clear, and there is a good level of tourist accommodation. The poet Gabriele d'Annunzio called the Sicily-facing seafront at Reggio "The most beautiful kilometer in Italy".

Next >>