On our way to Sicily we drove along the coast of Calabria. Praia a Mare is the first resort on the coast known as Riviera dei Cedri, named for the citron that grow so well in the area.
The best view of Praia a Mare is from above, looking towards Dino Island, a rocky outcrop just off the beach. In the season you can hire paddle boats to make your way around the island and explore sea caves and grottoes.
The 2 kilometre sandy beach nearby has 50 lidos in the summer. They were just being set up when we were there, so it was difficult to get a true idea of how it looks in the summer season.
The sand is a dirty brown colour, which didn’t really appeal to me. I like the idea of the Dino Island bit, but the beach was not for me. The boardwalk area is very nice and well cared for. I think a lot of people visit in summer.
There is an old castle in the distance.
There is a church with an interesting grotto quite a long way up the hill behind the town.
In the park was this fabulous tree. I’m not sure what it was.
The town was quite pleasant, with a lovely pedestrian street, which drew a reasonable crowd for passeggiata.
I think Praia a Mare is very popular with Italians in the summer time…I could feel the expectation.
Hi Debra, Been reading (and voting for) your blog for a few years now. Have enjoyed your journies and love the evolution of your garden. The name of this orange blossoming tree is coral bean tree. Google it and you will see this variety via photos. It will provide botanical name, species etc. Thanks for sharing all your travels and how things are progressing along the homefront. Maureen McMinamen USA
Sent from my iPhone
>
By: Maureen McMinamen on May 2, 2016
at 6:55 pm
Thank you for your kind comments and telling me about the tree. It is similar to coral trees we have in Australia. It certainly was a spectacular specimen.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2016
at 1:11 pm
The location of that “hanging” church reminds me of Colomini…
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 2, 2016
at 7:38 pm
It is a bit like Eremo Calomini.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2016
at 1:10 pm
Looks like a kangaroo paw to me — do they have kangaroos in Sicily ?
By: Richard the terrible on May 2, 2016
at 10:55 pm
It appears to be a type of coral tree. We didn’t see a single kangaroo in Calabria or Sicily.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2016
at 1:10 pm
Calabria is most beautiful, I have been there probably 38 years ago…. that fabulous tree is very common here in California… I just can’t remember it’s name
By: corneliaweberphotography on May 3, 2016
at 2:27 am
The tree is a South African Coral tree (kaffir tree). Love your blogg.
By: martiemanley on May 3, 2016
at 4:06 am
Thank you and thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2016
at 1:09 pm
Thank you for the wonderful visit. The coral bean tree is wonderful, I’m thinking of planting another tree in front of my house here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here is Berkeley we have cooler weather (“Scandinavian”) similar to San Francisco but not as cold, I’m wondering is such a tree would bloom in my weather? I shall Google it. Thank you Debra for including us on your travels, it brings much joy!
By: Gian Banchero on May 3, 2016
at 4:22 am
The tree is a bit like coral trees in Brisbane, but different enough to make me question it. We have seen many eucalyptus trees on our travels. I had no idea they were so widespread.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2016
at 1:08 pm
Beautiful!
By: Mallee Stanley on May 3, 2016
at 3:29 pm
The coastline is very dramatic and the town well presented.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 4, 2016
at 10:57 am
The views are lovely but yes the beach isn’t really much of a comparison to Australian beaches.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on May 4, 2016
at 10:14 am
We are spoiled. For me, it is not a beach without white sand and surf. I come to Italy for other things.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 4, 2016
at 10:56 am
Deb, I just love yur posts, having a geography lesson along the way.I often think of you and our stay in Ponte e Seraglio.Lynne
Sent from Samsung tablet
By: Lynne on May 7, 2016
at 8:40 am
[…] чрез Ривиера деи Cedri, Калабрия – Бани ди Лука и Отвъд […]
By: GOOD LUCK on February 5, 2017
at 7:20 am