Capo Vaticano Holidays

Untamed Capo Vaticano in south-west Calabria will challenge everything you thought you knew about Italy. Unleash your wild side on rugged rocky capes and plunging ravines. Mother Nature dishes out some real treats here, with one of the balmiest beaches on this side of the Mediterranean Sea.

Rolling vineyards and lush olive groves provide the prize ingredients for farm-to-table local delicacies. From breakfast straight through to after-hours nightcaps, you can savour a real taste of Italy here. The area's also blessed with countryside caverns and hidden seaside spots, so you can pack for a pretty epic picnic.

If you're after relaxation, you've got it. Capo Vaticano doesn't have a town centre – it just lets its dramatic scenery do the talking. Age-old hotels are dotted along the rocky shoreline, within easy reach of Santa Maria Beach. If you've had your fill of chill, scuba dive the deep in search of shipwrecks.

The city of Reggio Calabria is a 90-minute drive away – where you can shop 'til you drop or just soak up the cosmopolitan vibe. Just a 25-minute drive along the coast is Tropea, home to quaint churches and local restaurants serving rustic pasta dishes.