International Camping Village

Coming to Calabria in search of sea views and a sandy beach to sprawl on? Sort the both with a stay at International Camping Village, in a stunning setting on the wide two-kilometre beach of Praia a Mare and a five-minute drive from the seaside resort of the same name.

Water views – natch – are all around the site, and there are also vistas of Dino island, a rocky outcrop that's a famed spot for its large sea caves accessible by dinghies and other small boats. It’s all on the Gulf of Policastro in the very south west of Italy, home to lush landscapes, vast beaches and clear Tyrrhenian Sea waters; inland, the spectacular views and plentiful activities of the Pollino National Park are a couple of kilometres to the east.

As beaches go, Praia a Mare is a whopper – one of the biggest in Calabria, no less. Lazy days are encouraged by the presence of parasols, deckchairs, sun loungers and a kiosk bar, but there are pedaloes to hire and beach volleyball areas if you feel the need for a little activity from time to time (plus aqua gym and morning workouts in the summer months).

More movement can be had on site, where there’s a playground, a kids’ club and sports areas for ping pong, five-a-side football and tennis. Alternatively, days of lounging can be continued with relaxed meals at the restaurant (which serves up a fine range of breakfasts, aperitifs, wood-oven pizzas and traditional Italian cuisine) and evenings of easy entertainment on site.