End-of-summer relax in Calabria

The tail end of summer in Calabria is very long, so those who have the opportunity to enjoy the low season can count on a warm, crystal-clear sea, far from the crowds, and a series of slow activities in contact with nature and small local communities.

September is the month of slow return and rejuvenating weekends before diving back into the work routine.

Any ideas for extending the end of summer in Calabria? A swim in the paradisiacal and reserved coves from the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian Sea, a tour of the first festivals of autumn and trips to The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, which offer many opportunities for "slow living" and different forms of buen retiro.

The sea in September in Calabria is an oasis of paradise, because it offers the opportunity to explore hidden and less frequented locations after the summer assault on the beaches. Among the most popular autumn coves, we have chosen a few that satisfy every need for relaxation and well-being.

Among these, one cannot miss Le Cannella beach, the closest to the well-known Le Castella resort of Isola Capo Rizzuto, in the province of Crotone. September is the ideal month to enjoy its long, narrow sandy shore, composed of fine red sand and lapped by a Caribbean sea.

Another September Eden not to be missed is the Michelino Beach in Parghelia, along the Costa degli Dei, in the province of Vibo Valentia.

This corner of breathtaking nature is a paradise for those who love diving and snorkelling, as its seabed is characterised by a habitat rich in Mediterranean flora and fauna.

It is accessed via a panoramic path, near the small railway station, that leads to an impressive viewpoint where breathtaking sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea can be admired.

If you are an active holiday lover (but not too active!) we suggest some locations that offer slow programmes and events, from food to special events to be held on site, in the company of your travel partners and the host community.

One of the proposals involves inveterate walkers and concerns the particular trekking itinerary "Kalabria coast to coast" which winds, as the name suggests, from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian coast of the province of Catanzaro, passing through the mountainous and hilly hinterland.

This is a route of medium difficulty, which starts from Soverato and the Costa degli Aranci and crosses the mountainous territory of the Preserre Catanzaresi in its narrowest section, passing through Petrizzi, San Vito sullo Ionio and Monterosso Calabro until it reaches the enchanting seaside village of Pizzo Calabro, in the province of Vibo Valentia, perched in a panoramic position on the Costa degli Dei.

Those in search of an experiential early autumn holiday, under the banner of 0-km products, will find their ideal spot by searching among the various farmhouses and educational farms offering workshops for young and old.

Among these, some interesting realities allow for activities in contact with nature and truly original experiences, such as trout farming, which characterises the offer of "Bioittica della Sorgente", in Carlopoli, in the Presila Catanzarese.

A place that lies along the crystal-clear waters of the Corace River, where you can practice sport fishing, even competitively, sail small boats and stop for a snack in the picnic area.

On the other side of the river is the impressive Corazzo Abbey, a visit to which is the best way to end the trip in beauty amidst greenery and spirituality.

Finally, September is the month of homemade jams and marmalades using the overripe fruits of late summer and the first fruits of autumn, such as figs and blackberries. If you want to make your favourite jam yourself, you can opt for a visit to a farmhouse with a workshop.

A gem of Calabrian confectionery? The Reggio Calabria Bergamot PDO jam, to be tasted and made in one of the many producer farms along the coast from Reggio Calabria to the resorts along the Costa dei Gelsomini.