This small town in southern Italy, off the Tyrrhenian Sea, offers sandy beaches and fresh seafood. Some cruise lines use it as a base for delving deeper into Calabria, a less-frequented region of Italy, hemmed in by turquoise waters and craggy mountains.
Tropea: This seaside resort is the gem of the Calabria region, a fortified town perched on a towering bluff. Revel in the sun-soaked charms of the palm-dotted squares and streets, stop into a shop for a taste of artisanal products (that tend to use local lemons, bergamot, or red onions), or admire the lovely Benedictine Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, located on a promontory facing the beach.
Low-Key Vibe: If you compare crowd sizes, the Calabria region is a more comfortable choice than, say, the Amalfi Coast. It’s under these conditions where you can pace your day the way the Italians do, idling in a cafe or seeking shade from the scorching heat.
Coastal Scenery: If you’re heading toward any of the towns by car (or by boat), you’ll cross a stretch of coastline called the “Coast of Gods” that’s just as dreamy and ethereal as its nickname suggests.
Steep Inclines: Many of the towns in the Calabria region are located on cliffs, which means that there may be some huffing and puffing involved in getting to and around them.