½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

I don't think Calabria is undiscoverd by the Brits. Sir Alfred McAlpine (chairman of a huge UK construction organisation) has been singing the praises of Calabria for decades. He also owns "quite a bit" of property and has attracted like minded Brits to join him.

Passed through Scalea last week; looks like they've done some work on the proposed runway (it even has markings) but I'd say it is a long way from completion. Rumour in San Nicola was that the end of the runway had fallen into the river! But that's probably an exaggeration.
Direct UK flights into Calabria would certainly be great, and also good for the region, just so long as too many people from the UK don't find out about Calabria and spoil it. Let them stick to Tuscany, Umbria, and even Puglia!

rgds
Eddie B

Eddie B,

Great to here form someone who has seen it with their own eyes. I still find it amazing that whilst the airport was planned to open years ago (The goal posts have moved each year from 2001 to 2004), it still seems to move at a snails pace. I have made enquiries in my Mother Tongue to the relevant authorities in Italy only for my questions to fall on deaf ears. Hmmm..... It seems that in Italy you can ask a direct question and not be given a direct answer.

As for the runway.... I wouldn't bet against it!

Thanks for taking the time out to post a reply.

Regards,

Micky 'O'

Lotaresco,

I think that we will have to agree to disagree on the point of Calabria being RELATIVELY undiscovered.

From my own experiences, on average I speak to around 5 Clients per day, and on average 25 Clients per week. I have only come across 4 Individuals in the last 3 years who have ever heard of Calabria! Hence my statement of RELATIVELY undiscovered.

My Brothers, Sisters and Parents are all Calabrese and have similar results all be it on an unofficial survey - point of view.

But if Sir Alfred McAlpine or any other CEO or Board Director of any other FTSE UK 350 Company would like to sing the praises of Calabria.... then I applaud them.

The marketing and profile of this Region remains at Best extremely Poor at Worst non existant.

Please, prove me wrong and pop into your Local Lunn Poly and ask one of the young girls if they know where Calabria is? Your answer should then prove whether my definition of RELATIVELY undiscovered is accurate.

I have a brand new shiny 50 Pence Piece to wager the Girl has to refer to at least two colleagues before even getting close.

Thanks for your post and website links....
p.s. any other Calabria News would be greatfully appreciated.
Nothing wrong with a healthy difference of point of view (smile!)

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

I ma also very interested in Calabria, and my own unscientific survey has found that NONE of the Brits I have spoken to have heard of it, except a director of a leading tour operator who told me they don't go there because the mafia ('ndrangheta) just make it not worth while.
Ryannair flew briefly to Lamezia - but before I could shout yippee & book they pulled out.
I worked there for a while as a teenage au-pair, and long to go back for hols with my own children, but the getting there is just too onerous & expensive...

Well I have recently bought a villa in Calabria and have to say that I am quite happy for it to stay 'my little secret' but I suspect that is unlikely.

It is difficult to get to from the Uk - but not impossible.
My hope is that we won't get overrun by the English brigade that just want to turn anywhere they go into an "English Seaside Resort but Abroad" place.

I have to say that I would imagine the locals would be delighted with the inward investment that particular scenario would produce, so it is a double-edged sword situation.

The last time I saw the airport at Scalea (last month) it looked like the runway was definitely in place, there seemed to be some portacabin type things in the distance from the road - but I can't say I saw any actual work activity happening when I passed by. (Maybe it was siesta time 8-))) ?)

I am a little non-plussed by the mafia talk, I have to say..
(Does that mean I need to look out for horses heads in my bed from now on?)

Lesley

Sorry, forgot to post these links in previous message re Calabria:

[url]http://www.scalea.info[/url]

(Not just about Scalea but gaining a wider viewpoint of Cozensa)

and also

[url]http://www.scalea-property.com[/url]

(Again with a greater remit than Scalea itself)

But, please, ssschhh ....remember to keep it a secret!

I Want To Be In Italy,

Thanks for your posts, I already have the web-sites you mentioned saved in my favourites folder but I am sure they will be of great reference to others.

Not sure what your italian is like, but in my humble opinion, the best web site that refers to Calabria is: [url]http://www.regione.calabria.it/[/url]

Sadly no English version but you could always copy and paste to the ½ûÂþÌìÌà Tools section via google. Not Brilliant.... but a start to the translation process.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Ciao a tutti,

My company works in the Scalea area, we do not know when the airport will be open!! I have been told next year, but I was told that last year!

There is also a planned marina which should be nice. I would love to see a flight from the UK to Scalea or Lamezia, this would be amazing in the sense that the area will get the investiment it deserves. Calabria is the true Italy and is certanly the most beautiful region I have seen (in my opinion :) )

Getting to Calabria is not a big problem, as it is only 2 hours 30mins from Naples and 4 hours from Rome. Cheap flights from the UK go to these places and the train service to Calabria is cheap and efficient. Also there are companies which offer airport minibus transfers.

About the Mafia, this is just old fashioned scaremongering, I'm not saying it doesen't exist, but me and many others own property in Calabria with no problems whatsoever, in fact I have never had any trouble from anyone ever while in Calabria, I bet you couldn't say the same for Naples??

I can't for people to learn how great Calabria is, if you are planning a trip to Italy, my advice is to see Calabria...

A presto, David

David,

Whilst understanding that Italy is NOT the UK, have you seen any signs around the Airport work site to indicate "planned finish dates", names and telephone numbers of the Construction Company etc.

I am due to go to Calabria in September (as I do most years) and everytime I pass the Airport Site to go to my home village, it resembles a Ghost Town.

A massive assumption on my behalf but I suspect that with the "quando e presto" attitude indicates that it must be a Private Company developing the site at a pace that matches their cash flow?

If anyone makes contact with the mayor or council the question of proposed opening date would not go a miss!

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]
Not sure what your italian is like, but in my humble opinion, the best web site that refers to Calabria is: [url]http://www.regione.calabria.it/[/url]
[/QUOTE]

Hi Mickey,

Thanks for the link. My ½ûÂþÌìÌà is shockingly bad but I like to try to read in ½ûÂþÌìÌà (and understand as best I can) so there's lots of content there to practice on :)

Where is your home town?

Lesley

Lesley,

A village which occasionally appears on the Map of Calabria known as Malvito. The nearest Big town is Fagnano or San Sosti. It is a typical village within a farming community, where everyone makes their own bread, pasta and food.

It is the Classic ½ûÂþÌìÌà Village i.e. 'The Old Town' has a Castle, Post Office, Market and homes concentrated in the narrow streets all perched on a Hillside. The old women dress in Black, the Old guys play cards in front of the Cafe's and the food and drink is simple but unspoilt.

The 'modern' houses are at the base of the hillside scattered in all directions and are predominantly villa's (bungalow's if they were in England).

Everyone appears to know each other, crime is pretty non-existant, the young leave the village for the Bright Lights of the Big Cities (Only to return when they discover the 'Best things in life etc etc') and the old get older.

Location wise I think you have the best of both worlds. You are no more than 10 minutes away from great walks in the forest and mountains. If it takes your fancy you can go mushroom collecting, chestnut collecting or wake up really early and watch the wild boars sniffing around for truffles. For the youngsters, you are no more than 20 minutes away from the beach and the snack bars.

The nights are quiet, I have my best sleep whilst i'm back 'home'.
The mornings are bright, the air is clear and to hear the church bells on a Sunday Morning when all shops are shut somehow appeals to me rather than this 24hr Shopping Culture that seems to exist in the UK.

As for the rush hour, this normally involves Zio Giuseppe driving his tractor back home at 6.00pm - and as for road rage..... If those chickens don't get out of the way!

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian].....Malvito. .......It is a typical village within a farming community, where everyone makes their own bread, pasta and food. It is the Classic ½ûÂþÌìÌà Village i.e. 'The Old Town' has a Castle, Post Office, Market and homes concentrated in the narrow streets all perched on a Hillside. The old women dress in Black, the Old guys play cards in front of the Cafe's and the food and drink is simple but unspoilt......etc
[/QUOTE]

What a picture you paint! And I can just see it too. The last time we were in Calabria we were a bit amazed by the old women in black (and we also saw one walking along the road with a huge bundle of something balanced on her head!).

We can't wait to return and try to get integrated into the community.
Do you think that will be difficult for us ?
(Obviously you have a head-start being from there originally).
We have experienced nothing but helpfulness and smiling faces so far on our visits and hope that will continue - as long as we don't make any unintentional faux-pas!

Do you have any pointers for us on how to make sure we don't upset anyone being being 'too English'?

Thanks so much for your message - it reminded me of all the things we have loved so far about the place!
Lesley

Lesley,

I don't think it would be difficult to integrate into the community - as long as you remember that you are not in England.

Eg:

1) The ½ûÂþÌìÌà - If you can't read, write, speak ½ûÂþÌìÌà then quite bluntly, you can survive but you really are going to struggle. Integration involves YOU making the effort to comunicate in their mother tongue and not vice versa.
2) Respect The Differences - Take it for granted that your thought processes are not going to be replicated. You may find it crazy that you have to wait 2 weeks for supplies to be replenished in one of the retail outlets. Your alternative is ti visit one of the bigger cities. Just accept it then move on......
3) Build Trust - Invite some of the Locals into your home and ask them for their help, suggestions and advice. This will show that respect is a 2 way street and your want to "blend in".
4) As far as being too English, just be yourself - My only suggestion would be that if you invite Local's into your home then offer them A Glass of wine without hesitation and LEAVE THE BOTTLE ON THE TABLE. This subconsciously says "stay as long as you like". Also offer some nibbles/cakes/biscuits. This subconsciously says "I may not have much, but what I Have I am happy to share with you as a friend/neighbour".

All these thoughts are from my own experiences and understanding of the culture. As with most things in life, it is all about opinions. You may/may not agree but I'm sure that none of my views will directly be found in any book about "Moving to Italy".

Would be great to know how you get on. Especially if you are initially just buying a villa as a holiday home or actually moving there for good.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]4) As far as being too English, just be yourself - My only suggestion would be that if you invite Local's into your home then offer them A Glass of wine without hesitation and LEAVE THE BOTTLE ON THE TABLE. This subconsciously says "stay as long as you like". Also offer some nibbles/cakes/biscuits. This subconsciously says "I may not have much, but what I Have I am happy to share with you as a friend/neighbour".
[/QUOTE]
We tend to run a comprehensive bar for visits, well as comprehensive as we can, and offer the choice of beer as well as wine. Our neighbours[1] appreciate English "artigianale" beer because they produce their own DOCG wine and it's a tad of an insult to offer someone producing the Equivalent of Chateauneuf du Pape a supermarket rot gut. Not of them produce beer and they appreciate the concept of beer that is produced with the same care they give to wine. I have to emphasise that the beer we offer is brewed by a microbrewery in Hampshire, it's not supermarket pasteurised beer.

We do the food thing as well as we can also, but no one appreciated Christmas pudding. If we visit any neighbour, they will pull all sorts of tricks to try to persuade us to stop for cena, even the the extent of starting to prepare food all over again if we time the visit so that we arrive after they have cleared away. And of course the food will be forced onto your plate, with the entire family shouting with good humour that you must eat, eat, eat!

Getting a hang of visiting times is the most difficult difference. There are in our area two main times for visits, between approximately 3pm and 4pm and after 9pm until midnight. We live in a farming community and outside those hours the family will either be in the fields or asleep or trying to get business done in town. Also arriving before 9pm really obligates the family to feed you what they are eating.

It took us a long time to work this out, we were used to English social hours and it seemed no matter what time we arrived it was the wrong time.

It's also obligatory to at least acknowledge your neighbours if you pass them on the street. Idealy you should stop the car and talk to them even if only for a quick word of greeting. If you need to get away, "ho fretta" is accepted but not if it is used every time you see someone.

[1] All our neighbours are wine growers, it seems everyone in the village has a hectare or more of vines, the only exception so far being the architect.

Lotaresco,

Beautifully put.... took the words right out of my mouth.

Your Observations (IMHO) are spot on. Hence, with your understanding of "Local Life" married to my own experiences and views in conjunction with my Point 4 I think that we have well and truly covered most of this angle.

Well Done!

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Ooops.... forgot to mention, of the other English Delicacies I have offered to the Local ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs that have been rebuffed in disgust included:

1. Mushy Peas
2. Gravy

Needless to say that a rough translation of their reply was:

"I'd rather feed it too the Pigs than eat it!"

That line has been cleaned up somewhat in order to prevent offence!

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]Ooops.... forgot to mention, of the other English Delicacies I have offered to the Local ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs that have been rebuffed in disgust included:

1. Mushy Peas
2. Gravy[/QUOTE]

LOL!

Thank you so much Mickey 'O' and Lotaresco for those wonderful pointers.
We are hoping to spend big chunks of time in Italy (and if all goes well I suspect we will end up there full-time).
The language is coming along (albeit slowly) but we are hoping that total immersion will help it along in leaps and bounds.
Will keep you posted with how we get on - heading back there at the beginning of September.

Thanks, Lesley & Brian

hear hear EddieB

June 05, 2005

New Adria Airways Charter Flights To Jordan, Italy And Ukraine
Adria Airways introduced a number of new charter flights to popular tourist destinations this week. The variety and number of flights is greater than those offered last year. New features this summer include weekly flights from Ljubljana to Al Aqabah, Jordan; to Lamezia Terme, Calabria; and to Simferopol in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

These flights will be operated on weekends. Adria Airways is again offering flights to Palma de Majorca, Spain and to the Greek island of Míkonos. There are also weekly flights to a number of other Greek islands – Crete, Kos, Kárpatos, Rhodes, Thíra, Cephalonia and Préveza – and Adria is continuing its flights to Antalya and Dalaman, Turkey; to the island of Jerba, Tunisia and to Split.

All charter flights are fully leased by the Slovenian tourist agencies Kompas, Intelekta, Atlas, Globtour, Kažipot, Ilirika, Sun Holidays and others. Foreign agencies have leased the flight from Tel Aviv to Ljubljana, and the flight from Ljubljana to Tel Aviv has been leased by the Gulet agency.

New this season are charter flights from Dublin to Italy (Naples, Verona and Catania) leased by an Irish tour operator.The majority of charter flights are flown by a 162-seat Airbus A320

Now the true "½ûÂþÌìÌÃ" six week holidays kick-in, well blow me, the ½ûÂþÌìÌà "budget" airline Volareweb has decided to put Saturday Flights Only on from Milan Linate to Crotone.

I note that the prices FROM €115 each way (not including taxes) do not appear to be the "Budget" type.

Seems it's not only in England when Petrol Prices and Holiday Prices all go up just at the start of the traditional summer holidays.

Hmmm....... funny that!

[url]http://buy.volareweb.com/jsp/web/timetable.jsp?from=CRV&to=LIN&do_search=true[/url]

Hi 2nd Generation Calabrian,

Where do you find all of this info?
(Many thanks for sharing it with us!!)

Curious of Cumbria (& Calabria!)

I want to be in Italy,

I just keep my ears and eyes open. Clearly Calabria is a topic close to my heart - now I am sensitive to it I seem to see it everywhere.

The only way I can describe it is to that process of when you have a new car..... i.e. they seem to show up in all places - you notice someone driving the same make and model of car you have from Lands End to John O'Groats!

Does that make sense?

Just for the record of the three monthly ½ûÂþÌìÌà Magazines in present publication:

Italy - Has a interesting piece on a "Greek" Calabrian Village this issue (although in the contents it is described as being in Puglia... a Clear typo.

Italia - Had a few intresting adverts in the rear pages in relation to the area

½ûÂþÌìÌà - Will have a piece dedicated to Calabria next Month (Oct Issue) available in September...., not sure what to expect?

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]
The only way I can describe it is to that process of when you have a new car..... i.e. they seem to show up in all places - you notice someone driving the same make and model of car you have from Lands End to John O'Groats!
Does that make sense?
[/QUOTE]
Absolutely - know just what you mean!!
[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]
Just for the record of the three monthly ½ûÂþÌìÌà Magazines in present publication:

Italy - Has a interesting piece on a "Greek" Calabrian Village this issue (although in the contents it is described as being in Puglia... a Clear typo.
Italia - Had a few intresting adverts in the rear pages in relation to the area
½ûÂþÌìÌà - Will have a piece dedicated to Calabria next Month (Oct Issue) available in September...., not sure what to expect?
[/QUOTE]

Not sure if I should mention this (as I suppose it might not happen yet for one reason or another -and its in another publication other than Italy Mag) but hubby and I are allegedly being included in a feature on Calabria in Italia (but looking at your message I maybe have that wrong? -is it ½ûÂþÌìÌà rather than Italia?) October issue (due out beginning of September?)

PM me if you'd like to know what our bit is about

Thanks for staying in touch
Lesley & Brian

and just to prove my point please see link below:

[url]http://www.thomson.co.uk/po/showContent.do?content=press_140705c.html[/url]

This is clearly fantastic news, cancellation and late availability tickets will certainly be available (IMHO).

Now watch those property prices go up.....

So glad I've already bought mine.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Dont worry EddieB & Jenny,

The October special feature in one of the ½ûÂþÌìÌà magazines will be sure to mention the Mafia and earthquakes so there won't be a stampede to Calabria!

So we can sleep soundly - for the time being!

Lesley

This thread is great any more tips on how to integrate into the community are greatly appreciated - hope that Cider from the South West can equate to beer from a micro-brewery from hampshire! Also if we can over often enough I will have to restart the old homebrewing for interesting English wine recipies to try out on the neighbours when we finally complete and start to meet them

DaveJ,

Where are you heading to in Italy?

Curious (aka Nosy) of Cumbria

Lesley & Brian,

We all know that the Italy magazine is the original and the best, where were the competitors 3 years ago? First mover advantage counts for a huge amount in the world of business.

As adults in the real world, I'm not sure that Fiona Tankard or any of her staff would be offended in you talking about your forthcoming "magazine exposure" via a competitor.

The first rule of marketing is that it is better to improve upon the wheel than to invent it! Also known as the washing powder effect i.e. It's brighter, It's cleaner, It's faster etc etc etc

Who knows your reply may be a catalyst for Italy magazine (or anyone else) to give the Calabria Region some "Real" exposure that this beautiful part of Italy requires.

p.s. Direct flights in relation to cancellations/late bookings for flight tickets via Manchester to Lamezia Terme has got to be ood news for you Cumbarians? Thoughts?

... Just for the record will be from either Manchester or Gatwick to Lamezia Terme with hotels in their summer 2006 brochure in the "resorts" of:

1) Pizzo (20 mins away by car)
2) Tropea (40 mins away by car)
3) Capo Vaticano (1 Hour away by car)

All three "resorts" are to the south of the Airport of Lamezia. Either way, beats a 3 to 4 hour car journey.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Hmmm yes, had a little rummage to see what they were offering (and didn't find it terribly inspiring, I have to say).

In response to your earlier post - yes flights from Manchester to Calabria will be great for us (we are about two and a half hours drive from Manchester airport).
Although our plan is to sell up here (maybe next year) and we might find ourselves back in the Newcastle area (which means Easyjet - Rome and then a 5 hour drive).
Or then again we might just go Italy full-time and then flights and transfers are less of an issue (here's hoping :) )

Exciting times...!

Lesley & Brian

Mickey - you have made my day! want to visit calabria and the thomson option will make it easier to travel with my two small children & give us a chance to explore to find our ideal location....thanks!!!!

[QUOTE=iwanttobeinitaly]DaveJ,

Where are you heading to in Italy?

Curious (aka Nosy) of Cumbria[/QUOTE]

We are [i]hoping[/i] to complete at the end of Sept on a place in Puglia

Oh nice one!
Puglia was where we were heading after a research stop in Calabria on our original recce mission - we didn't get that far - had already decided we had found everything we needed in Calabria......
Suspect if we had landed in Puglia first the same might have applied in the opposite direction....!

Don't worry about completion - I was panic stricken right up until the last minute and it all managed to fall into place...
(I just expected something to go wrong as the ½ûÂþÌìÌà side was all so laid back and I was wound up like a coiled spring).

(Should you be intersted our tale is going to be in the October issue of Italia magazine which is due out at the beginning of September - very small article and I'm hoping a very small photo as I hate having my photo taken!).
All the best - keep us posted !
Lesley & Brian

[QUOTE=Sharon]Mickey - you have made my day! want to visit calabria and the thomson option will make it easier to travel with my two small children & give us a chance to explore to find our ideal location....thanks!!!![/QUOTE]

My Pleasure, you must write to let us know how you got on.

If you or anyone else has any form of news/gossip especially about the Calabria and Basilicata Regions then please feel free to submit those views.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=...hubby and I are allegedly being included in a feature on Calabria in Italia (but looking at your message I maybe have that wrong? -is it ½ûÂþÌìÌà rather than Italia?) October issue (due out beginning of September?)[/QUOTE]

I have been informed that both magazines i.e. ITALIA and ITALIAN will both have "features" on Calabria in their next issues due out in the begining of September. Typically, I will be their tomorrow and for the next four weeks or so, nothing like the real thing hey?

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Goodness gracious me!!
Bit like the buses ... you wait forever and two come along at once....
'Mickey O' - Do you do socialising with Brits whilst in Bel Paese?
Only asking as we are heading to Belvedere Marittimo (driving down - eek) next Wednesday - so will not be arriving until late on 2nd Sept or thereabouts.
Have lots to do (painting walls and buying something to sleep on the most pressing engagements) but would love to get out and about in the real world of our new environment if you could cope with a visit from/meet with 'stranieri'.
Suspect you would prefer to chill with your own but if you would be able to deal with enthusiatic (not overly so) newcomers we would love to 'put a face to the name'.
Maybe will have missed you already as you are off and away,
Anyway might catch you sometime in the future 8-))

Kindest regards, Lesley & Brian

Will report my findings within next few days.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[QUOTE=2nd Generation Calabrian]Will report my findings within next few days. Regards, Mickey 'O'[/QUOTE]

Dying to hear any news !
We had the most wonderful time on our last visit to our home in BM (met the fantastic neighbours, found the beach, discovered we can watch the sun set over the sea right in front of us from our balcony every night. Loads of things we had no idea about - it just gets better every time!
Heading back end of October.
(Salea airport just as unfinished as before tho..)
TTFN Lesley & Brian

Not sure if I'm talking to myself and the last thing I want to do is monopolise the board - so please... anyone.... please feel free to contribute.

My thoughts/discoveries to date:

1) Two Good "real life" examples of Brits moving to Calabria in the September issues of the magazines ITALIA and ITALIAN (as mentioned previously). Nice to put faces to contributions Lesley & Brian!

2) Excellent write up on the Calabria Region, Property Types and typical prices in the same edition of ITALIA magazine.

3) The A3 Motorway stretch South from Salerno to Reggio continues to be improved. At last, three lanes at some parts with new huge gallerias (tunnels) and pontes (bridges) being built. Very impressive but typically (at least in Southern Italy) no idea of an expected finish date.

4) Scalea Airport - Can't say that i notice any real changes in the last 12 months. 5 or 6 Local's tell me that it should open in 2006 (more in hope than in confirmed substance) was it not meant to open 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 etc etc etc

5) Sibari Airport - Local Government "Heavy" discussions have taken place in the last 3 months with accurate costings and start/end dates submitted to National Government asking for the funding to be shared via Europe. Official Decision due "soon". Could not clarify what "soon" meant. Fingers crossed it's not the same kind of "soon" associated with Scalea Airport.

6) Hydro Electric Dam to be built near the Village (and Mountains) of Sant Agagta. In the most simplest terms, The water from the Dam will filter through a pipe to "turn" a generator to produce electricity initially for the whole province of Cosenza. I have actually seen the security guards patrolling the site and the arrival/departure of tens of Heavy Plant to and from the site. This is a massive Investment Scheme! Their will be at least 200 people working on the completed project, with the majority from outside of the Region. Housing to Buy? Housing to Rent? Again, not even the security guards could confirm an End Date.

7) As a by-product of building the Dam, Rock and stone being removed from the mountains will forma new tunnel to the Coastline i.e. a frustrating, windy, car sickening 40 minute journey to the like of San Ginetta will be reduced to a mere 15 minutes. FANTASTIC! Again, a massive Investment Scheme with no official start/end dates! Deja-vu!

8) A hotel chain has been "sniffing" round purchasing two local Norman Castles on the basis of buying them, adding a hotel and then using the grounds for Civil Weddings. Namely Fagnano (I am told negotiations are taking place as I type) and Malvito (my home village) where discussions are at a preliminary stage.

9) The University in Cosenza has officially been named as the most popular (by student number) outside of Rome.

10) Naples Airport the third biggest city in Italy is still a bloody disgrace! The newly created "Terminal 2" is a roughly converted hangar that operates during peak season. The airport is organised and signage must have been organised by Stevie Wonder! The road signage and directions to the Airport is diabolical and the "knowledge and friendliness" of the Locals is yet to be discovered! All in my humble opinion of course.....

Viva 2006 and the certaintity of at least Lamezia operating direct flights from Manchester and Gatwick. If Naples finally get's some competition and loses some revenue it may finally improve it's arrogant shambolic act... but i doubt it.

Anyway, i think that will do for now.
Apologies for any spelling mistakes and the occasional sign of frustration blended with raw emotion and bitter distaste. I'm still fuming over a return journey of 6 hours from Calabria to Naples Airport, with the last 3 1/2 spent within a 3Km radius of Naples and the airport in a scene I can only describe as something reminiscent of the "Traffic Jam in Turin" in the film the ½ûÂþÌìÌà Job (the original one).

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Mickey 'O',

You are a mine of information! Thanks for sharing your discoveries.

We also noticed that work is continuing apace on the A3. It will be a fantastic road once it's finished. We had organised a lift to Rome for our return flight via Tony & David of [url]www.scalea.info[/url] and our driver, Luigi, picked up on the traffic news that the road was blocked near Naples so we detoured onto more minor roads (just as well we weren't driving ourselves as we would have ignorantly drifted directly into the jam and have had no option but to sit there).
Scalea Airport, as you say, looked just the same as it did in June & April when we were there last.
As well as the airport I was asked by another buyer in Calabria about the hospital (apparently very impressive to look at but completely unused).
Do you know anything about the hospital? (I shall dig out a link to a site that talks about it in ½ûÂþÌìÌà which, unfortunately, I couldn't understand).

"Hydro Electric Dam to be built near the Village (and Mountains) of Sant Agagta?"
I don't suppose this would mean cheaper electricity? :)
Maybe just less likelihood of blackouts? (Not that we have experienced any yet).

I shall have to get my map out to see just where these places are, Sant Agagta & Fagnano - assume they are relatively close to us?
Any inward investment is a good thing in any event.

Naples Airport - we flew into and out of Naples in June and got lost on the way out (despite being given written instructions and a hand drawn map) but managed to find our way back there by paying really close attention to directions (and had we relied on the road signs we'd still be going in circles so I know what you mean!)
Another thing that Brian commented on was the way the driving seemed much more aggressive there than in Calabria.

It will be interesting to see how Thomson fares with their packages to Lamezia - Sharon (another poster with an interest in Calabria- hi Sharon!) mentioned to me the hotel in Cetraro and I had a look and it looks very nice indeed - but at a price!
Anyway, hopefully it will mean that there won't be an influx of yobbos looking for all night bars and all day English breakfasts, so that can't be a bad thing.

We are toying with the idea of taking the train from/to Rome on our next trip and I've posted another message about train travel to try to garner some information from others. By all accounts the trains (barring strikes!) seem to run pretty well to time. Do you have any direct experience of travelling to Calabria by train?

Thanks again for your input, much appreciated!
Lesley & Brian

Lesley & Brian,

".....Experience of Trains to Calabria?"

Plenty - but not from Rome!

Have a look at the link below (Copy and paste to the address bar if necessary):

[url]http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html[/url]

In the sections:
Leaving From
Going to

Make sure you input the ½ûÂþÌìÌà Spelling of the Stations/cities.

Can't find my link for a map of ½ûÂþÌìÌà Train stations (may be on the same trenitalia website?)

From my experience, the trains are indeed fairly reliable and by UK standards very Cheap.

My experience from Naples is this:

1) Taxi from Naples to Airport Circa €25 (...costs more with suitcases, yeah, right, - Welcome to Naples!) takes around 10-15 minutes.
2) Then having to queue with what seems the rest of the population of Naples at one of the 10 Kiosks to buy a Ticket - Make sure you are in the right Queue or be prepared to wait for 40 minutes.... twice.
3) DO NOT BOARD THE TRAIN AT THE BINARI (Platform) until you are 100% Sure that the train is definetly the right one. My hint would be to check on the TV Screen on the platform to prove it is going to your destination.... if they can be bloody bothered to turn them on!
4) Prices excellent - If you have the choice to go 1st Class I would recomend it. Not a huge difference in price but as i have found, an air conditioned journey in mid August verse a saturated Sauna journey in cattle class via a carriage where the windows are srewed to their frames preventing them from being open (I kid thee not) is a no brainer.
p.s. I have managed to experience One first Class Carriage journey from Naples to Cosenza only once in 12 Years - Good Luck!

I tend to travel from Napoli Centrale to Paola (Stops at Belvedere Marittimo 4 stops before Paola).

Depending on the Train type depends on the Time and Price i.e. Last Year One Way, Adult as per below:

Eurostar (never caught one) €24.43, 4 Stations, 2H 27Mins
Inter City €22.06, 3 Stations, 2H 34Mins (One less stop yet 7 mins slower?)
Inter Regional €12.34, 28 Stations, 3H 59Mins
Regional €12.34 32 Stations, 4H 27Mins

Typically, I guarantee that by the time you arrive at the train station regardless of which train you catch/wait for you will not get to your destination (in this case Paola) any great time earlier.

I find it a classic game of "swings and roundabouts". i.e. Do you wait in Naples for the EuroStar or Inter City say for 2 hours or so or catch the Inter Regional or Regional which takes over 4 hours? Either way you arrive in Paola for pretty much the same time.

Next year, if i can not get reasonable priced "late booking" tickets from Manchester to Lamezia then I intend to research the possibility of picking up a Hire Car from one of the Train Stations en-route i.e. Napoli to Lamezia Terme Centrale looks particularly sensible.

Hope this is of some benefit?

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

I am sure I'm not alone in being grateful for all your postings about Calabria. No, you're not talking to yourself; it's just that the information you provide doesn't need a response.
Except, that is, to say 'thank you for supplying it'
rgds
Eddie B

Ciao a tutti,

Word on the street is that Scalea airport is finsihed, the runway is finsihed. An extra 2 million euro needs to be spend to equip the airport and a backer is needed to operate the flights. This means that I am not hopeful that the airport will be open anytime soon! (RYANAIR READ THIS POST!!!)

Also the airport was only ever planned to be regional with flights to the major ½ûÂþÌìÌà cities. I personally think that there isn't much point in this as the majority of visitors to this area are from Naples for once month a year, Naples is only 2.5 hours in the car so why fly???

However with the area growing in popularity I think it would be much more beneficial for the area to have flights to other european countries (England, Germany, Holland etc...). This way the holiday season can be increased and the area will prosper.

I also believe that your typical full English breakfast Brit will not visit this area as the prices for holidays will never compare to the Spanish package holiday. Hopefully this will mean Calabria will attract the right kind of people.

This area is crying out for investors, and would bring a good return for any investor. The marketing for the area has to be done in the correct way.

HI
We have a tunnel being built near our house in le marche.The starting date coincided with the birth of one of my neighbours child and is due to be completed by his second birthday.He will be 16 this month and the tunnel will be ready next year-honest.!!!!!
As always we live well above and after the entrance to the tunnel so it will not shorten my distance to work but it will decrease the traffic so I will be able to travel faster but the road past our house will be less well maintained so the journey to work will take as long.
Behind the questions and rhe answers lies the word "speculation"and that is ok but as the man said in "catch 22" Italy will always be Italy.
Every day I want to kill someone and then they get me talking about the local soccer team and we end up ok
The italians need runways and investors from abroad.They need to turn up on time.On the way to a meeting they need to stop stopping to talk to their auntie.
If they don"t finish our tunnel or a ryanair terminal then somehow things will change but continue,
Italy is for living .
If you want good weather then Spain is for you .
If you want puctuality try,,,,,,,,
Warts and all......
good luck to eveyone

Eddie B - Thanks for the kind words the €5.00 note is the post!
Forzascalea - Great Post, interested as to how a sum of €2M has been arrived at to equip a "Small Regional Airport" - any ideas?
Apples - Excellent Funny Post - I assume the Tunnel was being employed by a Calabrian Workforce? (Tongue firmly in cheek!)

As I have learned in Calabria:

Question: When will X be finished?
Answer: When does the money run out?

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Italia Magazine Issue 11 October 2005 Page 46 directly above the Paragraph titled "HIRE PURCHASE":

"For commercial reasons, neither Ryanair nor easyJet can confirm whether they will plan to serve Scalea in the future".

My thoughts:

1) Easyjet's policy is to serve recognised central airport locations of major towns or cities.
In betting terms I believe to be a Longshot.

2) Ryanair only pulled out of Lamezia on the basis that the contract that they signed was torn in two by the "greedy" Calabrians i.e. "Lamezia" saw € signs appear in front of their eyes and suddenly became unhappy with the amount of money they received per plane full.

In betting terms, this is where the safe money is - they service the remainder of Italy (from Stansted) and would love to stick their fingers up at Lamezia.

All in my humble opinion of course....

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Hi I have read this thread which took me ages and must rack all comments on one posting so bare with me...The person from Malvita..hi!! we are neighbors as I live in Altomonte and not to far from you!! You explanation of how things go on in a small town are to be applauded but showing up at 9pm for a visit is pretty late but if there is food on the table your stomachs are full..just dont make a habit or the lights wont come on the next time you knock on the door...course most doors in the summer are always open so you must shout "permesso" and if you hear "avanti" well just walk right in!
Regarding the trains: they are the worse especially coming from the north. Never on time, dirty, local kids with nothing to do that will scare your pants off and im talking in the day, wouldnt even dare do it at night unless i go with my 6-2 son. More to come later...
I am praying the flights start from Lamezia...there is airone that offers students a good price from Rome to Lamezia..and sometimes have good offers..but ohh with these gas prices now..what chances do we have now!

Interesting Developments, click on Link.

[url]http://www.easyjet.co.uk/EN/News/easyjet_announces_new_italian_base.html[/url]

As per my previous post, please Note that easyjet continue with the "Key cities" theme.

However, with their Marketing and Research Departments in full flow, very interesting to read the following two paragraphs:

The airline recognises the great potential for further expansion of it low-cost services; Italy has been the fastest growing market in easyJet's network in the last 12 months, experiencing an increase in capacity of 78%. This summer the airline welcomed the six millionth passenger on its ½ûÂþÌìÌà routes and by the end of 2005 expects to have carried a total of 2.5 million passengers to and from Italy.

The two existing routes from Milan Linate to London Gatwick and Paris Orly will also continue, generating a total of over 1.3 million passengers travelling on easyJet's Milan services in the first 12 months of operation. easyJet has chosen Milan as the next market for significant development in Italy as a result of its great attraction to both business and leisure travellers as a destination, as well as tapping into the capital city and wealthy Lombardy region's outbound market potential.

Immediate Points of thought:

1) Ryanair's Reaction?
2) Increase of Internal Italain National Connections?
3) Implications for the consumer?

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

p.s. bella e povera - fingers crossed that this post may lead someway to your last statement of "....what chances do we have now!".
I guess time will tell?

TOURISM: CALABRIA, SCALEA AT LUGANO’S INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY EXHIBITION

Lamezia Terme, September 23 - (Adnkronos) - The Town Council of Scalea, in the province of Cosenza, will participate in the ''Salone internazionale delle vacanze'' [International Holiday Exhibition] in Lugano. For the occasion, councilors Giuseppe Forestieri and Angelo Cantisani met with the operators of the sector. The tourism fair event is scheduled in Switzerland from October 29 to November 1.