prettiest

The city of Reggio Calabria, in the Calabria region of southern Italy, is said to be home to the prettiest kilometre in the whole country

Italy – the land of pasta, pizza, gelato and dolce vita.

We all know Italy is packed with stunning cities, towns, lakes, mountains and beaches. From the splendour of Florence, the historic significance of Rome and the waterways of Venice to the peace and tranquility of Lake Garda, this really is a country with something for everyone.

However, the southern tip of this beautiful country has long been ignore for its more famous neighbours. Calabria, right on the toe of Italy and just a few miles from the coast of Sicily, it the country’s poorest region but many would argue also its most beautiful.

Its coastline is surrounded by azure blue waters and golden sandy beaches and pretty, and totally unspoilt, villages and towns pepper the seafront.

Inland, the traditional way of life is still very much in evidence, with churches and monasteries the heart of communities.

From the stunning town of Tropea, where we were staying and which has recently been voted the prettiest town in the whole of Italy, to the quaint fishing village of Scilla, a visit to Calabria is like a visit to no other part of Italy.

One of the big draws to the region is the city of Reggio Calabria, the largest in the whole region. Just a few miles from the coast of Sicily, separated only by the impressive Strait of Messini, Reggio Calabria is also said to be home to the prettiest kilometre in Italy.

The Lungomare Falcomatà is a seafront promenade with, on a clear day, spectacular views of the sea, the Strait of Messina, where the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas meet, Sicily and Mount Etna.

The promenade is also home to some stunning sculptures, both natural and man-made. Some of these are the huge and must be seen to be believed magnolia trees which stand proud and tall along the street.

Elegant buildings line one half of the promenade not taken up by the breathtaking views of the sea.

On the day I visited, while I was blown away by this beautiful city, which is also home to the Riace Bronzes, life-size statues dating back more than 2,500 years and housed in the National Archaeological Museum, there was one major problem which hampered by enjoyment of Italy’s prettiest kilometre – it was absolutely chucking it down.

Don’t get me wrong, I was visiting at the start of October so putting up with some inclement weather should be expected but it was sad not to be able to see this wonderful city in all of its glory, especially the stunning walk alone the Lungomare Falcomatà. No views of Etna for me, and while I could just about make out the coast of Sicily, it was at best murky.

However, this just gives me the perfect excuse to return to the stunning region of Calabria.

STRICT new rules are being rolled out in one of Europe’s prettiest cities next year.

Florence, which was named the best city in Europe by Travel + Leisure this year, is cracking down on outdoor dining in the popular tourist areas.

The new rules, the Times reports, will see outdoor seats banned across 50 streets in Florence.

This mainly affects the city centre, which is UNESCO protected.

Other famous sites affected will include the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is currently undergoing a £1.7million makeover and is set to be finished by next year.

Also affected is the Piazzale degli Uffizi, which is popular with tourists visiting the Uffizi Galleries.

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Along with the bans, another 73 locations will see stricter regulations on outdoor seating areas.

This could mean while seating is allowed, umbrellas and plexiglass barriers could be banned.

Local restaurant owners have slammed the rules, saying it is an important part of their service especially in the summer months.

The owner of Ristorante Pizzeria Il David, which has 60 seats outside, said: “Our outdoor seating is fundamental.”

Another said: “True restaurateurs have begun to close.

“They are crushed by impossible costs and by city policies more concerned with the aesthetics of outdoor seating than with the survival of those who brought these spaces to life.”

But locals have said the new rules are needed as the narrow streets can’t cope with the outdoor terraces, many of which were introduced during Covid.

Some said it had made roads unliveable, and like an “obstacle course”.

It isn’t the only strict ban introduced over the years in Florence.

Back in 2021, tourist were banned from eating picnics on some of the city’s top attractions.

The fines – between €150-€500 (£135-£450) – were to stop people blocking the doors of locals as well as reduce littering from street food.

And last year, lock boxes and self-check in systems were banned by the Italian government.

Often used by short-term holiday rentals, the ban came after many were destroyed in protest across Florence, Milan and Rome.

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It comes after fears of overtourism across Florence.

Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia, told local media: “Florence is very beautiful and I would like it to return to its citizens and not be crushed by tourism.”

We checked in to this stylish new hotel in west London and discovered stunning interiors, a tranquil garden and innovative drinks at the bar

A few minutes’ walk away from bustling Earls Court Road, past quiet cobbled mews, is Templeton Garden, chic European hotel group Miiro’s latest opening, and arguably London’s most stylish new hotel.

A former townhouse, its grand white-pillared entrance opens up into what looks like an interiors Pinterest board brought to life, an elegant colour palette of creams, beiges and rusts, with a light and airy lounge area leading onto a beautiful private garden out the back – a rare find in central London – with a terrace for taking lunch or drinks.

Stay between 17 November-24 December and get access to the hotel’s Ribbon Room, a Santa’s grotto stocked with beautiful papers and ribbons to wrap your finds from your Christmas shopping expedition like a pro, accompanied by a hot buttered Brugal cider, from Sprout, the hotel’s bar.

The rooms at Templeton Garden

The complimentary colour palette continues to the 156 bedrooms, which our Junior Suite was elegant and understated with soft plaster-pink walls and lots of fabric textures, and immediately made us want to redecorate ours at home. A pop of colour comes from the dark red tiled shower space in the bathroom, complete with marble bath, vintage-style brass fittings and Le Labo Santal 33 products. Sleeping here under the canopy bed feels special yet still homely – a tricky balance to get right.

The food and drink at Templeton Garden

Evenings at Templeton Garden begin with a drink at Sprout, lined with hand-painted wallpaper and low velvet seats arranged around lamp-lit tables, with a stunning gold oak leaf light fitting overhead.

The most interesting thing about this bar, however, is the drinks list. The Market Stall Menu features innovative cocktail creations using ingredients commonly found in the back of your cupboard, such as a Marmitini, Red Onion Manhattan and Anchovy Gimlet. The Specials Menu, meanwhile, uses seasonal fruit and vegetables, and changes regularly depending on what’s available.

Templeton Garden

From £290 per night

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A stylish new hideaway in London’s Earl’s Court.

We opted for the Sweet Pea Spritz, made, we were told, by separating the peas from their pods, roasting the pods, blending them both back together to make a cordial, then mixing them with vodka and sparkling wine. Fresh and slightly sweet, it was like nothing we’d ever tried before, and completely delicious.

It was then on to dinner at Pippin’s restaurant, where the focus is again on seasonal ingredients with lots of fresh herbs from the garden. The spring vegetable salad was a colourful plate of crunchy pickled veg and leaves atop a tangy cheddar emulsion, while for mains, the catch of the day was a delicious crispy-skinned stone bass paired with a herby, zingy chimichurri.

How much does it cost to stay at Templeton Garden?

Rooms at Templeton Garden start from £290 per night.

Tropea in the Calabria region of Italy has recently been voted the prettiest village in the whole country

Few places can be beaten for splendour than the duomo in Florence, and turning a corner to be greeted by the Colosseum in Rome would take anyone’s breath away.

Travel to Italy and you’re never far from a spectacular sight – be that the shores of Lake Garda, which as a dyed in the wool Cumbrian even I have to admit looks like the Lake District on steroids, to the canals, gondolas and majestic cathedral of Venice, and Verona’s amphitheatre and Juliette’s balcony to the high end shops of Milan, there really is something for everyone.

But venture a little of the beaten track, and escape the hordes of tourists battling for an inch of beach in the Amalfi coast, to travel south to the untapped and undiscovered region known as Calabria and you’ll step into the ‘real Italy’ – and back in time.

One of the crown jewels of this region, which is Italy’s poorest, is the stunning medieval town of Tropea, where I was lucky enough to spend a blissful week. And it’s not just me who’s a fan, the town was recently voted the prettiest in Italy, which I think we can all agree means it was up against some stiff competition.

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Nestled into the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, this ancient town tumbles down the rock face and into the turquoise blue of the ocean.

Surrounded by stunning golden beaches with plenty of room to feel like you have them to yourself, this town has a magical dream-like quality.

Tropea has survived it all – invasions, earthquakes and bombings – to stand proud on the clifftops. Its array of noble palaces and stunning churches, all contained within the winding, cobbled streets of the old town.

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Calabria with Tropea as my base. A glorious sunny October afternoon spent strolling through its streets, with secret, hidden alleys at every turn, and sampling the delicious food from the region, including the sweet, red onions and spicy ndjua, was an utter delight.

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Stopping for one of the most delicious ice-creams I’ve ever eaten while overlooking the awe-inspiring Tyrrhenian from one of the many viewing points in this quaint little town quite simply took my breath away. Meanwhile, stopping for a crisp, white wine in an ancient tavern half way up the cliff face on my way back from the beach was the perfect way to while away a few hours.

If it’s history you’re after, then Tropea has it in bucketloads – from the cathedral to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, the church on the rock, gazing out into the wide expanse of azure sea.

From the incredible viewing points, you have an amazing view of Stomboli, the still erupting volcano which lights up the night sky every evening off this part of the coast of Italy.

I have but one complaint about this undiscovered, Italian hidden gem – and that’s that I don’t live there and only got to spend a week wandering its beautiful streets.