Scilla: Situated 110 kilometres from Lamezia Terme in the Calabria region, the picturesque fishing village of Scilla is one of Southern Italy’s most stunning locations. A rocky spur topped with an ancient fortress separates two narrow strips of seashore hemmed in by steep hillsides. Scilla’s fortress, the Castello Ruffo, is open to the public — and besides being a castle, the building has also been used as a home, lighthouse, monastery and youth hostel. The vista from the castle is truly breathtaking, and with views of Sicily and the Calabrian coast, climbing to this ancient fortification is well worth the effort.
Museo della Liquirizia: An extraordinary museum in a lovely stone mansion which has been owned by the same family since the 15th century, the Museo della Liquirizia is dedicated to the art of liquorice making. Situated in the heart of lower Rossano, approximately 150 kilometres from Lamezia Terme, the museum provides a fascinating rainy-day alternative to the region’s beautiful beaches. Inside, you will find an extensive collection of well-preserved family documents, period dress, early agricultural machinery and a detailed display of the method of liquorice production in an 18th-century shop. Best of all is the adjacent store, where visitors can buy all manner of delicately crafted liquorice confections.
Pollino National Park: Situated approximately 155 kilometres from Lamezia Terme, the Pollino National Park is a large protected mountainous area and one of Southern Italy’s most stunning locations. The stunning landscape, which features some of Italy’s greatest hiking trails, boasts wooded slopes and grassy summits scattered with charming hillside settlements.