Calabria, the southern most 'toe' of the Italian 'boot', is a huge peninsula with a unique natural and ecological balance between the mountains and the sea. It is described by many to be the Mediterranean's best kept secret, offering a glimpse of authentic Italy.

The length of the coast, washed by The Ionian and The Tyrrhenian Seas is 800 kilometers. Thus most of the territory of Calabria is occupied by mountainous and hilly terrain.

There are plenty of sandy beaches, broad and flat, calm with shallow water close to many hotels and apartments that suit all tastes from affordable family hotels to luxury modern establishments. As Calabria is one of the poorest regions of Italy, crime is not at all an uncommon thing here. However, crimes are very rarely targeted to visitors, and traffic is a much bigger cause of concern.

Calabria offers one of the best diving areas in the Italian Mediterranean. This is mainly due to the geological characteristics typical of the diving areas south of Tropea.

The area basks in sun much of the year round with summer temperatures often in the 30 - 40C range, whilst winters are mild with temperatures rarely dropping below 10 C. The warm temperatures and extended summer season mean this is an area that can be enjoyed much of the year round, with bathing in the sea continuing as late as November.

The warm seas off the Calabrian coastline provide Italy's best diving and have the benefit of over 50 sunken wrecks to explore. Some date back to roman times and as late as the 1970's and offer unique underwater scenery. With such great choice at least one of them will suit your level whether you are beginner or experienced diver. All sites can be visited with a guide from one of the many diving clubs and school.

Apart from visiting the wrecks a rich fauna and flora can be seen here. Because of overfishing and pollution few species already vanished. However some Italian organizations are working hard to reintroduce some of them. If you are lucky some sharks have been reported to pass by this region such as the Great White (infrequent) or the Grey-Nurse shark (occasional).

WDR.