Calabria has the Last Word
In the summer of 2011 I embarked on a family vacation to Italy. The whole crew consisted of myself, my husband
Dom,17 year old daughter Vanessa, her best friend Kristen, 25 year old son Nicky, and his girlfriend, Meghan.
It was the group consensus that Rome be on the itinerary. So with that, I booked us on all the major tours in Rome. Knowing this
agenda would be exhausting, we needed down time in a place with the best beaches in Italy. Tropea, Calabria was our Pick. The
pictures alone can sell anyone. Our villa in Tropea was booked, and so were our plane tickets. Upon arriving in Lamezia airport, we
were greeted by our non-English speaking driver, Giuseppe. This was our introduction to Calabria, and the chance to practice our
Italian. Our villa was located high up on a mountain. We would have never found this place on our own. Lovely views, lemon and
orange trees ripe for the picking. There was one small glitch. The villa was a 1.5 mile walk up and down a huge mountain, then
another 300 steps down to the beach. Glad I brought my sneakers. Every morning down the mountain to town for a cappuccino,
and some small talk with the locals. Alright, very small talk. More like hand gestures with the locals. Visiting the outdoor market for
fresh fruit, cheese, and local wine without a label. Back up the mountain to round up everyone to go back down the mountain to the
beach. Beautiful water, collecting the sea glass, diving off the cliffs. No not me, but my kids. Plenty of arancini at the Letto’s, and
Fresh cold coco fresco (coconuts) on the beach. Later, back up the mountain to the Villa to shower, and dress for dinner. Back
down the mountain to dine in an obscure alleyway Trattoria. Fresh fish, homemade pasta, reasonable prices. On to the biggest
decision of the night, what flavor gelato to have.
Back up the mountain for some needed sleep. Repeat the next morning.
After one week in Tropea, we traveled by train to Rome. Our train trip experience I will save for another writing. We experienced all
of what Rome has to offer, The Vatican, St.Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Coliseum, Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and more.
After all is said and done, it is Calabria that is always on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
by Nina Perruccio
Dom,17 year old daughter Vanessa, her best friend Kristen, 25 year old son Nicky, and his girlfriend, Meghan.
It was the group consensus that Rome be on the itinerary. So with that, I booked us on all the major tours in Rome. Knowing this
agenda would be exhausting, we needed down time in a place with the best beaches in Italy. Tropea, Calabria was our Pick. The
pictures alone can sell anyone. Our villa in Tropea was booked, and so were our plane tickets. Upon arriving in Lamezia airport, we
were greeted by our non-English speaking driver, Giuseppe. This was our introduction to Calabria, and the chance to practice our
Italian. Our villa was located high up on a mountain. We would have never found this place on our own. Lovely views, lemon and
orange trees ripe for the picking. There was one small glitch. The villa was a 1.5 mile walk up and down a huge mountain, then
another 300 steps down to the beach. Glad I brought my sneakers. Every morning down the mountain to town for a cappuccino,
and some small talk with the locals. Alright, very small talk. More like hand gestures with the locals. Visiting the outdoor market for
fresh fruit, cheese, and local wine without a label. Back up the mountain to round up everyone to go back down the mountain to the
beach. Beautiful water, collecting the sea glass, diving off the cliffs. No not me, but my kids. Plenty of arancini at the Letto’s, and
Fresh cold coco fresco (coconuts) on the beach. Later, back up the mountain to the Villa to shower, and dress for dinner. Back
down the mountain to dine in an obscure alleyway Trattoria. Fresh fish, homemade pasta, reasonable prices. On to the biggest
decision of the night, what flavor gelato to have.
Back up the mountain for some needed sleep. Repeat the next morning.
After one week in Tropea, we traveled by train to Rome. Our train trip experience I will save for another writing. We experienced all
of what Rome has to offer, The Vatican, St.Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Coliseum, Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and more.
After all is said and done, it is Calabria that is always on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
by Nina Perruccio
Reflections..Stories from From Our Readers
by Nina Perruccio
stormhouse7@yahoo.com
stormhouse7@yahoo.com
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