Hi there,

I have just registered today, so I hope i'm in the right place.
I have recently look into going to Calabria in July. My partner speaks good Italy, and to be honest we have always wanted to visit Italy but it's not cheap for a young couple like ourselfs. BUT calabria looks lovely, and unspoilted which is what we want. And the prices are really reasonable.

There are two hotels in Capo Vaticano we like the look of Villaggio Stromboli & Costa Azzurra, Any reviews would be appreicated??

We are not going a car in Capo Vatianco, BUT was hoping to get some bicycles when we are there ( i hope this is available for rentals some where??

I've done 2 day trips to Tropea, which is near Capo Vaticano. If at all possible, I would recommend a car for this area. You will get to see so much more. Make sure you get to Tropea, it's amazing!!!! If you are on the cliff in the town facing the little church perched on it's own cliff facing the town (bad description, sorry!) there's a fish restaurant to the left of it almost on the beach. It's really good.

We've just come back from Tropea. The area is indeed still fairly unspoilt, though we found Tropea to be invaded by Germans.
In Capo Vaticano there's nothing to see, except some nice beaches. If you want to spend your time on the beach, you won't need a car. If you want to do some sight-seeing, though, a car is essential.

I really appreciate all your comments. thank you
We have decided to get either a car or scooter when we are there. Is there rental places around to do this whilst we are there??

As we are booking our holiday through a tour operator company, they have advised us that there are many excursions to take part in whilst we are there, i.e boat trips & Tropea. All bookable at the hotels, where the Rep comes to see us.

On both of the hotels description they mention being near Santa Domenica Village, does anyone know much about it??

The people- Me and my partner have met many really nice italian couples whilst overseas, as my partner speaks good Italian, it made a big difference. I hear Italians can be nice in some regions and not in others, with regards to english tourists. I'd be interested to know what you thought of the locals in Calabria & Tropea???

thank you

Hi Lisajane,
Santa Domenica is only a small village, not really something special. Although we had a nice meal at Bella Italia in the main street. We stayed in a small B&B in Sta. Domenica (not to be recommended, the B&B I mean).
We booked our car ahead in Europe (I'm in Belgium) 'cause we wanted to have it for the length of our stay. I'm pretty sure your hotel can book a car/scooter for you.
One excursion you should take is the night excursion to <b>Stromboli</b>. Stromboli is an active volcano that really spits fire, clearly visible at night. You can see the volcano from the beach in Capo Vaticano/Tropea and you will see there's always a plume of smoke that comes from the top. This excursion only goes on Monday which was, sad enough, the day of our departure to Sicily. So we haven't seen this nature spectacle.
<b>Pizzo</b> isn't too far away (half an hour on the autostrada). It's a small city and it's here that the well-known ice-cream specialty Tartufo has been invented. Both the tartufo nero and the tartufo bianco were delicious! To see in Pizzo are the Castello and the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta. On your way back to Capo V. stretch yourself out on one of the nice beaches between Pizzo and Bri&aacute;tico. It's <i>vero italiano</i>. We haven't seen one single tourist there (in June).
Furthermore we made daytrips to <b>Gerace and Locri</b> which are at the Ionian Sea. Very different from Tropea and environs, even more unspoilt. On our way to Gerace we took the 'fast' road and coming back we took the winding road through the Aspromonte Mountains. Beautiful! It was a very long and tiring day, though.
We also visited <b>Scilla</b> in the deep south, on our way to Reggio di Calabria where we took the ferry to Sicily.
Other daytrips that can be made (we ran out of time 'cause we also wanted to hang out on the beach) are the Lipari Islands. You don't need to go on an (expensive) tour. You can do this on your own (same for the Stromboli tour). Just buy a boat ticket in the harbour of Tropea.
And of course you should spend some time in <b>Tropea</b>. It's very lively, especially at night when the locals gather together in the bars.
As for the locals: we found them to be very nice but more reserved than in other parts of Italy. Speaking the language opens many doors, though!
Have a lovely holiday.