ABOUT ITALY
 
Captivating, charismatic, compelling. Italy draws you into itself, enchanting you with the richness of its beauty and culture.
Our property portfolio mainly concentrates on the up and coming property hotspot region of Calabria but we also have a beautiful development in the Lake Garda area for those of you wishing for a more established region.
 
However Calabria is the buss word for many and is the region we are concentrating on. With its un-spoilt coastline, mountain grandeur, and age-old historical towns, it is simply beautiful. With perfect weather all year round and a relaxed, Italian life style, Calabria is undoubtedly one of the best spots in Italy.
 
The southern most region, Calabria, is the "toe" of Italy's boot and is caressed by the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Seas. It is a peninsula where the "cliffs meet the seas" and the intricate coastline faces the water every which way. Calabria comes from the word "Calab" which means a dense forest and indeed, you will see pine trees, grape vines and olive trees clinging to the rugged mountains, adding to their majesty and grandeur.
 
One thing you will not forget is the colours of Calabria. Vivid blue water set against fine white sand with a backdrop of green, verdant forests. Multi-coloured rocks or fine black pebbles smoothened by the waves flash like jewels, reflecting the afternoon sun.
 
Calabria's coastline is dotted with lidos (beach clubs), where you can lounge and enjoy a cold drink right at the beachfront. On evenings, the lidos come alive and turn into discos and you can dance the night away.
 
Whatever you do, Calabria is full of cultural, natural and historical treasures you are not likely to forget.
 
Culture
Calabria's rich history spans a variety of cultures and civilizations - Greek, Roman, Byzantine, French, Spanish, and ultimately, Italian. These cultures left their distinct legacy on Calabrese culture and cuisine, resulting in a fascinating blend that makes Calabria a gem of a find. You will find architectural treasures harking back from different eras of Calabrese history such as Turkish guarding posts, castles and forts and Byzantine art are just some examples of Calabria's quiet splendour.
 
Food
Calabrese food is hearty, tasty and spicy hot. The Calabrese people love it that way and they are famed for having the spiciest food in Italy. Its specialty, pasta al arrabiata is roughly translated as "angry pasta". Eat it and you will discover how "angry" it is - you will be sweating for hours after!
 
Their diet is almost exclusively made up of pasta, pizza and vegetables. But they are also known for their seafood, lamb, cheese, almonds, and spaghetti ala Calabrese. Wash this down with some of the local wines, such as Greco di Bianco, which is a sweet white wine. It will delight you to discover, however, that dining in Calabria is very easy on the pocket. In fact, everything in Calabria is easy on the pocket!
 
Lifestyle and People
The Calabrese people are very warm and welcoming. People still have the habit of tipping their hats and calling out a Buon Giorno or Buona Sera to the people they meet. They will have a ready smile for you and will make friends with you just as easily. Their gestures of kindness and hospitality will blow you away as they welcome you into their homes.
 
The lifestyle in Calabria is laid-back and easy going. With Calabrese people, everything has its proper time and place - times to eat, relax, socialize and do business. You will find that at 1 - 4 in the afternoon, the streets look virtually deserted as the people are enjoying their siesta time. But don't let this fool you, Calabrese people also know how to let their hair down. After 4, shops, bars and clubs may stay open well into the night.