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Blue Southern
Seas
Pompei,
Salerno,
Paestum,
Cosenza,
The Sila,
Reggio
Calabria,
Catanzaro
We
begin in Naples, bound for Ercolano and
Pompei,
(Top)
the two towns destroyed by the eruption of Mt
Vesuvius in 79 AD. It is an unforgettable experience
to visit these excavations that take us back nearly
2000 years.
 At
Herculaneum we will see the houses (particularly
those called "Sannitica", "Bicentenario", and "Cervi")
and the urban and suburban Baths and Gymnasium. The
most intersting things to see at Pompei are the
Roman Forum, the large and small Theatres, Via
dell'Abbondanza , the Amphitheatre, the
Stabian Baths, the Houses of Menandro, the Vettii
brothers, the Fauno, and the Villa of Diomedes and
the Mysteries ("Misteri") which is famed in
particular for the very beautiful frescoes which are
still in an excellent condition. Our next stop is
Salerno,
(Top)
which used to have a famous Medical School in the
Middle Ages. Its superb monuments include the 11th
c. Cathedral. We will then visit the Museo del Duomo
and the Museo Provinciale, before leaving for
Paestum,
(Top)
one of
the most important and impressive aechaeological
sites in Italy. Its Doric temples stand in
isolation, solemny lookink out to sea. The museum is
full of fascinating exibits: sculptures, material
from the former Greek town of Poseidonia, a 6th c.
statue of Zeus, vases and paintings, of which the
most beautiful are the five painted stone tablets
from the tomb of the "Tuffatore" (the diver).
Driving south, we come to the delightful coastal
town and hamlets of Agropoli, Santa Maria di
Catellabate, Acciaroli, and Ascea Marina. But before
we do, let's stop by the nearby excavation of Velia
(founded in 535 BC, and famous for its philosophy
school), and see the fragments of the town walls,
the baths, the acropolis, temples and the superb 4th
c. Porta Rosa gate.
 Along
this coast are endless unspoiled beaches : Palinuro,
with its beautiful caves, Marina di Camerota, Sapri,
and Maratea in one of the most charming parts of
Gulf of Policastro. The Calabrian coast begins at
Praia a Mare, facing the nearby island of Dino, and
we drive down through delightful coastal villages
and towns, such as Scalea, Diamante, Marina di
Belvedere, Marina di Cetaro and Paola. We then leave
the coast for an interesting drive inland towards
Cosenza and the Sila mountain range.
At
Cosenza
(Top)
we can see the Gothic Cathedral, and the Church of
San Domenico, San Francesco d'Assisi and San
Francesco di Paola, the municipal museum and the
Arab-Norman Castle .
The Sila
(Top)
is a huge forested mountain range where the visitor
can spend hours on the shores of Lakes Ampollino,
Arvo and Cecita, and stay in the well-equipped towns
of Camigliatello, Villaggio Mancuso, Lorica and San
Giovanni in Fiore (with the 12th c. Florense Abbey).
Driving through Aprigliano, Rogliano and Falerna
Marina (with a visit to Vibo Valentia), Briatico,
 Tropea
, Capo Vaticano, Rosarno Gioia Tauro nesting amid
olive groves, vineyards, olive and lemon orchards,
we coma to Palmi in a splendid setting overlooking
the "Violet Coast". From the nearby Mt Sant'Elia we
can enjoy the view right across the Palmi plain and
the Calabrian and Sicilian coast from Mt. Etna to
the Aeolian Islands. Further south lie Bagnara,
Scilla, with its Castle standing high on a mythical
steeply sloping hill and one of the most famous
sword fishing centres, and
 Reggio
Calabria,
(Top)
where
we will take a pleasant stroll along the seafront
before visiting the rich Museo Nazionale with the
famous Greek statues "Bronzi di Riace". We will
drive up to Gambarie d'Aspromonte, where we can
combine the joys of the mountain and the sea. We now
continue along the picturesque, uns[poliled Ionian
coast via Bova Marina, Capo Spartivento, Bovalino,
Locri (with the excavations of Locri Epizephyirii,
one of the most prosperous cities of Magna Graecia),
and Gerace, with its Romanesque Cathedral, fine
churches and Castle, Siderno, Marina di Gioiosa and
Roccella Ionica, and Monasterace Marina. We shall
make a detour inland at this point to see the
typical 10th c. Byzantine "Cattolica" at Stilo, and
then drive back down via Marina di Badolato,
Soverato, Copanello, the "Roccelletta" of
Squillace (ruins of an interesting 10th c. church) ,
and Catanzaro Marina. In
Catanzaro
(Top)
we can
visit the Church of the Rosario and the Provincial
Museum . Heading north up the coast we drive through
a number of very attractive sites: the "Castella"
(remains of an Aragonese castle overlooking the
sea), Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Capo Colonna where the
ancient shrine of Hera Lacinia used to stand,
Crotone , ( Cathedtral, 16th c. castle,
archaeological museum). Driving through Ciro'
Marina, famed for its wines, we reach Rossano, which
was very important in the Byzantine period (
Cathedral , Church of San Marco, Diocesan
 Museum
whose greatest treasure is the "purple codex", an
incredible 6th c. Byzantine illuminated manuscript).
We suggest a detour to the Church of Santa Maria del
Patire (12th c.), from where we can view the
magnificient panorama across the Sibari plain,
before going to Sibari itself to see the excavations
and museum. Tis was the first Greek colony on the
Gulf of Taranto, known as Sybaris, and subsequently
became powerful and prosperous. Inland is
Castrovillari, with its picturesque ancient city (Aragonese
castle, 15th c.). Castrovillari and Morano Calabro
are excellent base for excurtions to Mt. Pollino
wich majestically lords it over both Calabria and
Basilicata. If we have time, we can take two other
trips : to Lungro, the spiritual centre of the
Albanians who settled in this area in the 15th c. ,
and Altomonte, to see the interesting Church of
Santa Maria della Consolazione with its French
Gothic features and superb sculptures and painting
inside. We the drive down to Mormanno, where we
rejoin the motorway to return to Neaples. If
possible, we must try to leave the road before Sala
Consilina to visit the interesting Carthusian
Monastery of S. Lorenzo in Padula , built between
1300 and 1800, and the adjacent, one of the most
interesting museums in Southern Italy, Museo
Archeologico della Lucania Occidentale,
Archaeological Museum of Western Lucania.
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