Briatico, Italy


September ~ October 2023

Our train slowed to a stop at the small station of Briatico, Italy after a five hour ride. As we walked up the hill to town we saw a few residents staring at the foreigners lugging their backpacks to their new home. We planned four weeks here, enough time to enjoy the rooftop views and get some beach days in while the ever approaching winter blew its way south. 



Our second day here, the raging Calabrian fires came close. Ash was everywhere and smoke made breathing difficult, but an unusually long downpour cleaned the air and drenched the flames. 






Briatico is nestled between the two larger resort towns of Tropea and Pizzo along the Costa degli Dei or the Coast of the Gods. Here, there were no resorts, only a few real restaurants and a couple of stores. The city was quiet, walk-able and just big enough to be connected by train. A long paved walkway provided astonishing views to the sea below the sheer cliffs. Being October, the tourists had gone home, we had the beach to ourselves. 






We took day trips to neighboring cities such as Tropea, Sicily and Scilla in southern Calabria, often only costing less than $10 for both of us. One exception being our travels into the Sila National Park to San Giovanni in Fiore and Castelsilano, where we accidentally/miraculously found Alisa's cousin.



Sicily
Scilla
San Giovanni in Fiore
Castelsilano

If I had to pick one word to describe Briatico, it would be silent. After so much traveling to more well known parts of Italy, it was nice to be in a small, quiet town, far removed from the hustle and bustle that often coincides with fame.



Astonishing views from the train tempted us to stop in each one of these unknown but charming little towns. Even though we're tourists we rarely act the part. In the morning we sleep in and gradually wake to fresh coffee and homemade breakfast. If the weather isn't cooperating we'll gladly stay inside and make our own day. 





On our first trip to a grocery store, we were greeted by an elderly couple who insisted we sample every item behind their deli counter. We had just finished breakfast. Needless to say we left with over $50 worth of delicious meats, cheeses and olives. However, our go-to shopping was done at Conad’s, a chain store found all over Italy. We try to support local business as much as possible but it also has to fit within our budget. 






The walk down the cliff to the beach took around 25 minutes. Although quite cold, the deep blue water provided relief from the windless heat reflecting from the sand. On occasion we had company but usually had the place to ourselves. 






The amount of time we spent in Briatico felt just right, not too long, not too short. It was the perfect place to unwind and get ready for the long trip back to the states and back to family. 

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