25 April in Calabria: 5 ideas for a unique weekend

The Pollino National Park is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse natural areas in Calabria. In addition to discovering villages rich in history and authentic charm, you can ride along nature-immersed trails by bicycle (you can also hire electrically assisted bikes), an activity suitable for everyone, including younger children.

This area offers a combination of nature, culture and mountain scenery and the opportunity for excursions, outdoor activities and relaxation. Your 25 April weekend will be an opportunity to discover Morano Calabro, one of I Borghi più Belli d'Italia (the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy), famous for its mediaeval historic centre and Norman castle. Take the opportunity to stroll through the ancient alleys and squares. The castle overlooks the village with a spectacular view of the valley.

Farm stay or B&B? You can choose from the various offerings of this rich area, including its typical cuisine, which features, among other things, hearty bean and pulse soups. Dessert? Also the strictly local one, such as the famous bocconotto (shortcrust pastry shell filled with jam or Nutella) prepared in Mormanno.

Breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear sea are the hallmarks of the Costa degli Aranci, which hides little-known natural gems such as Copanello and Caminia, alongside the better-known Soverato. Even though it is not yet summer, here in April temperatures are usually so mild that spending time on the beach is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

In less than an hour, you can travel from the Ionian coast to the Tyrrhenian coast, from the cliffs and secluded coves of Copanello to the wide sandy beaches of Gizzeria Lido. Special wind conditions make this stretch of coastline suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing in almost every month of the year – an impressive sport to watch, thanks to the vivid colours of the kites used to send boards soaring over the sea.

Some beach clubs offer beginner courses, but you can also choose to simply enjoy the spectacle while relaxing comfortably on the beach. Lunch is best enjoyed at one of the many seaside restaurants overlooking the water, serving dishes made with freshly caught fish.

The next stop on this itinerary is Curinga, listed among Calabria's Villages of Excellence and also famous for its millennia-old Oriental plane tree of Curinga, which stands 21 metres tall and has a circumference of 18 metres. The giant tree is located in a small forest with many paths to follow. In Acconia, a hamlet of Curinga (about 4 km away), there is also an archaeological site dating back to the Roman period: the remains of thermal baths that once formed part of a large monumental villa from the time of Diocletian.

If temperatures allow, the final stop on your journey could be in the area of Lamezia Terme, just a few kilometres from Sambiase. Here, the Terme di Caronte spa offers warm sulphurous waters (around 38 degrees Celsius), close to a waterfall of cool, fresh water. Admission is free with a donation.

Summer is still a little way off, but on the Coast of the Gods it will seem as if it has already arrived. And with spring, the village of Tropea comes alive – the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian", famed for its panoramic views over an incredibly turquoise sea, its gardens, and its lively narrow streets, lined with souvenir shops (you will not be able to resist taking home a plait of the famous Cipolla Rossa IGP red onions), restaurants, and lounge bars. In the historic centre, you can admire the 18th- and 19th-century noble palazzi perched on the sheer cliff, and looking down, you will discover the white sandy beach below. And then the enchanting Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) and the twelve churches that embellish the town. The Franciscan Monastery and the 12th-century Norman Cathedral are also worth visiting.

Just 20 minutes from Tropea, Zungri, "the city of stone", a place that seems timeless, awaits you. At the very heart of the historic centre lies an ancient rock settlement made up of around 100 cave dwellings carved into the stone, which you can visit for a journey back into the history of this land.

Be sure to schedule a stop in Pizzo as well, for a visit to the Castello Murat, where the French general and King of Naples Joachim Murat was held prisoner, and of course for a stroll around the charming little square. Because it's practically  forbidden to leave without enjoying a tartufo gelato – second to none – while sitting in the sun at one of the many little tables available to visitors.

To mark this long weekend, you could plan a short tour of the surrounding area: Capo Vaticano is certainly well worth a stop.

If you imagine this much-anticipated 25 April long weekend as a revitalising escape surrounded by nature, and you have a passion for food and wine, this destination is the perfect way to indulge both body and mind.

Head to Crotone, a land rooted in Magna Graecia. Your holiday includes a tour of the many wineries (which you can choose independently or as part of full packages offered by local tour operators), giving you the chance to visit the vineyards and enjoy this experience immersed in nature, with tastings among the rows of vines or in the barrel rooms, paired with traditional local dishes.

The areas of Cirò and Cirò Marina are renowned for their wine (with Gaglioppo as the native grape variety), and you will learn about the modern techniques used to preserve the quality of Calabrian wine, as well as the art of winemaking. The estates are often set in panoramic locations, offering spectacular views over the vineyards and the coastline. It is always advisable to contact the wineries in advance to book the tour and tasting. To complete this experience, in the village of Cirò you can visit the Wine Museum of Cirò.

The journey continues along the coast towards Isola Capo Rizzuto, an ideal destination for enjoying crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches. The link between the sea and the history of this area is the evocative Aragonese Castle of Le Castella, which stands on a small island connected to the coast only by a very thin strip of land. Here, the largest Marine Protected Area in Italy covers 15,000 hectares. You can get an idea of what the underwater life is like by visiting the Aquarium.

At this point, after sampling the local gastronomic delights, including exceedingly fresh fish dishes, there is still time to plan a final stop at the Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, where the imposing column of the Temple of Hera Lacinia awaits you on the promontory.

Calabria really does have a wealth of attractions to offer, and the 25 April long weekend promises to be truly unique and unforgettable. If you haven't yet visited Reggio Calabria, this is the perfect opportunity for a tour of the area. It starts right in the city, made unique by its promenade (known as "the most beautiful kilometre in Italy") overlooking the Strait of Messina. Time for an ice cream and then on to the National Archaeological Museum, famous for the imposing statues of the Riace Bronzes, but where you can also admire a rich collection of artefacts, from prehistoric times to the late Roman period. If your curiosity hasn't yet been satisfied, in Reggio Calabria you can visit the Pythagoras Metropolitan Planetarium and the National Bergamot Museum.

It's time to move on to Scilla, one of the most evocative places on the Costa Viola, steeped in the magic of the myth of Ulysses. After admiring the beach and the crystal clear sea, a walk to Chianalea, the ancient fishing village, nicknamed the "little Venice of Calabria" for the location of the houses on the water's edge, is a must. Here you can dine in one of the many restaurants that set up tables on special wooden platforms over the sea. If the evening calls for a more casual dinner, you cant go wrong with the iconic swordfish sandwich, made to order at kiosks or pubs.