Villaggio Camping Orchidea

Salty sea dogs don’t need to stick to the ocean’s surface hereabouts: those at home in the waves can also dip below them with diving trips from Scalea or Diamante, both about 10 minutes’ drive from base. It’s not just marine options either: the Aquafans waterpark is 20 minutes away for whizzing down slides and splashing around away from the open sea. This is a top spot for history buffs too, as there’s lots nearby to explore. Roman ruins in the coastal village of Cirella should be clambered over five minutes from the site – and the village’s archaeological museum should be well and truly explored too – and the spectacular 15th-century Santuario di San Francesco di Paola basilica and monastery are 20 minutes away. For a taste of more recent history, there’s also the Museo del Cedro (the Museum of the Cedar) in Grisolia, a liquorice museum in Rossano just under two hours away, and the site owners’ olive mill, 10 minutes from base, where they give tours and tastings. More artistic history is within easy reach too: the Paleolithic cave paintings in Ronuto cave are 15 minutes away, and Museo Arti Gusto Buonvicino houses contemporary, popular and religious art within half an hour.