| Destination of the week: |
| | Belvedere Marittimo, Calabria |
| |
| |
The name Belvedere is Italian for “beautiful to see” - and this welcoming, sun-drenched sea resort on the coast of Calabria lives up to its name.
Calabria sits on the southern toe of the boot shape that is mainland Italy. The region is at the heart of what the Italians call the Mezzogiorno (midday) because it basks in almost year-long sunshine, with average temperatures of nearly 30C.
The palm trees that overlook Belvedere's main piazza testify to its gorgeous Mediterranean climate. And as most of the Northern hemisphere shivers in November, Calabria enjoys balmy temperatures close to 20C.
Belvedere Marittimo, to give it its full name, dates from the 11th century, when inhabitants of the area's lower-lying terrain fled to mountains inland to escape repeated pirate excursions. The area's beauty was a secret they were never going to keep for long and the obvious Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, medieval and baroque influences in the architecture all around testify to the succession of cultures drawn to its shores down the ages.
These days, it is thousands of Italians from across the country who flock here for their holidays, drawn by the almost constant sunshine and nine miles of sandy, unspoilt beaches. Yet Belvedere remains gloriously undiscovered by mass tourism, giving it a number of advantages to foreigners lucky enough to venture here either for a holiday or to invest in property.
The region has a significantly lower cost of living than virtually anywhere else in Italy, meaning you get far more for your money here. That is amply reflected in the prices of property in Calabria in general - and property in Belvedere in particular.
A new-build, two-bedroom beach apartment in Belvedere, barely a two-minute stroll from the inviting sea, can be picked up for just €55,000 (around £38,500). Details are available in the property search on our home page - simply scroll down to Calabria in the region section.
However, the market for property in Calabria is buoyant, so you can rest assured that the value of your investment is well protected.
Another appealing feature is that because most residents here are local Italians, Belvedere is a vibrant town all year round. It does not suffer in the way some resorts elsewhere do, where the abundance of foreign-owned holiday homes means that out of peak season they become near-deserted ghost towns.
Of interest to nature lovers will be the fact that Belvedere sits on the edge of the National Pollino Park, the largest in all Italy. Additionally, the town is within easy reach for foreigners as Lamezia Terme international airport is less than an hour's drive away down the SS18 highway.
Like many coastal resorts in Calabria, Belvedere is an enchanting mix of the ancient and modern. The modern is its marina, with its hotels, shops and restaurants. However, many locals will tell you the real Belvedere - Belvedere Paese - lies in the hills and mountains overlooking the sea.
It is here that you find the 16th century Norman castle that is the jewel in the town's architectural crown - believed to have been built on the site of a previously existing fort. Parts of the four gates in the wall that once surrounded the medieval town still exist.
Leading away from the castle is a network of small, picturesque streets and alleyways, sure to thrill anyone who takes a delight exploring medieval towns. The streets are full of traders selling the ornate sculptures and ceramic art for which Belvedere is known. Then again, the town itself is a work of art, obvious in every baroque balcony, arch and doorway.
And if you have time to explore further afield, it is handily placed for the SS18 highway that hugs the coast from Lamezia, 50 miles to the south, all the way to Maratea, some 40 miles north of Belvedere. |
|
| |
Previous destinations of the week:
|
