Calabria for a week
 

We are staying in Calabria (near Nicastro) for one week. We have two boys (11 and 8). Looking for good day trip destinations. Is it too far to go into Sicily? Any advice on things to see, beaches, towns to visit nearby would be greatly appreciate. We are leaving this Friday the 25th for Italy, and will be in Calabria from the 2nd to the 9th.
Thanks,

I have only cruised throught the Straits of Messina but remember seeing ferries between Reggio Calabria and Messina. The Clock in Messina is something the children would love. http://neurolab.ing.unirc.it/tour/inform_bus.html

I don't have my Calabria map with me, so I am unsure if you will be on the eastern or western coast. On the west coast I hear Tropea is beautiful (I plan on taking a day trip there in August), and on the east coast the hill towns of Stilo and Gerace are worth a trip. I just bought "The Blue Guide to Southern Italy," and it has the largest section on Calabria that I have seen in a guide book. Please share your impressions of Calabria when you get back.

I too would like to read your trip report. I may possibly be going to the Catanzaro area but will be driving and hope to visit the two towns mentioned above. Have a nice trip.

I'll post a trip report when I get back.
Thanks for your help.

The beaches at Pizzo and Tropea are a must. There is a very good museum in Reggio di Calabria with ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. If you have a car and make an early start, you could make a daytrip to Taormina in Sicily. I wouldn't waste any time in Messina. If you have a chance, pick up a copy of H.V. Morton's "A Traveller in Southern Italy" for wonderful descriptions of his travels throughout Calabria.

Grinisa,

Do you think in late August a day trip from the southeastern area of Calabria (Gioiosa Ionica) to Taormina would be really frustrating? It's a total of 90 miles, but I'm figuring with the traffic and the ferry it could take 2 1/2 hours each way?

There really isn't much traffic on either side of the Straits. What can hold you up is the wait to board the ferry at Villa San Giovanni. When we made the trip from Taormina across to VSG, we were able to get right on a ferry with no waiting time and it left five minutes later. But when we disembarked at VSG, there was a long line of cars waiting to get on the ferries. I think the earlier you get to VSG the better and try to go midweek, rather than weekends.

Grinisa,we made a day trip from Taormina to Guardavalle and Gerace last July and had no trouble. However, I recommend leaving early enough for the first ferry to avoid the queues and returning after peak time and you will be fine. It was easier than we anticipated. Enjoy the cannolis.

Toni,

Are you referring to a fast ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina (but isn't it a very short distance?) or from another point in Calabria to Sicily?