Camping La Zagara

Go on, scoop yourself off the beach occasionally to see a bit of what’s around the tip of mainland Italy’s ‘toe’. There are plenty more beaches to explore should you wish to stick to the coast, but even the most dedicated sand fans should break away for the short 10-minute drive to Pentedatillo for the unusual experience of wandering round an abandoned hill village. If that’s given you a taste for inland life, keep going a little further and you’ll get to the Aspromonte National Park (half an hour’s drive) for hikes taking in forests, waterfalls and gorges. There are several tiny villages in the park too – try out Bova, Amendolea and Gallicianò for castles, churches and little cafés. At the other end of the spectrum is the coastal city of Reggio Calabria, 40 minutes’ drive away or a half-hour train ride (although you may fancy taking the slow train for the cracking coastal views…). The Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria is the city’s biggest draw (and within that the two huge ancient statues known as the Riace Bronzes), and there’s also an art gallery, some Roman ruins and a splendid seafront promenade with views over to Sicily.