10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Province of Vibo Valentia That You Shouldn't Miss

Reviewed By jerseygirlgonecali - Encinitas, United States

My husband and I are planning our third trip back to Capo Vaticano, Ricadi, this May! We usually have gone in the fall Sept, Oct. Everything pretty much closes down mid Oct after the Germans leave. Sept is a great time to go, off price rates on hotels and beach front resorts! We stayed in Sept at Hotel Villaggio Stromboli for $37.00 euros per night with a large balcony and sea view! The next year we went, we spent a bit more, for around 60.00 euros per night we stayed at Hotel Baia del Godona Resort and Spa, it was wonderful, has its own spa and its own beach! The pool was wonderful too! Each of these resorts I mentioned has their own restaurant on site, so you can add lunch and dinner to your stay if you chose to. Breakfasts were included! Make sure you go to Tropea and Pizzo too, both towns are wonderful. I would recommend Pizzo for dinner and to watch the sunset at night from the piazza. The town is beautiful at night when the lights come on! Tropea has large beaches with beach bars, restaurants and of course the wonderful old town. Capo is a true hidden gem! We have visited Praia a Mare and San Nicola Arcella further up the coast. Both have pebble beaches with black sand and volcanic formations, it is nice to lay on the warm pebbles, like a spa experience! Praia a Mare has Dino Island where in the summer you can take a boat tour out in the caves of the Island, there is also a primitive cave church at the top of the town that is a must see. The gem of San Nicola Arcella is the Arco Magno hidden beach and the quaint, well kept small town! There is a trail head just above the main beach there. It is maybe a mile hike to the hidden beaches but well worth it! Once there, there are 4 separate beaches separated by the mountains. One is a hidden cove like beach with an arch, boats come through the arch and if you are there at sunset, you will have the opportunity to see the sunset through the arch! It reminds me of something you would see in Pirates of the Caribbean movies! Make sure to take water and snacks with you and spend part of the day here! Capo beaches have paddle boats for rent in summer as well as small boats with outboard engine to rent. Lounges and umbrellas are also for rent. I think we paid 20 euros per day for the 2 lounges and umbrella. Paddle boats were 10 euros per hour. You can also rent kayaks. Capo is our favorite area, the water is calm in summer and is great for snorkeling, kayaks and paddle boats. We are planning on buying a part time retirement villa there soon! Not many Americans come here, but we have always been able to find someone who speaks English. We also use our translator on our phones to communicate. Most restaurants and resorts, hotels, have staff that speak English as well. We encountered Germans, Brits, Scandinavians, Russians, and other Italians here on vacation. Once we did run into a couple from upstate NY here. We usually get a flight from LAX to Miami, then on to Naples, then rent a car to drive down. You can also fly from Naples or Milan to Lamezia Terme, then drive about 40 minutes to Capo. If you want to see the other towns I mentioned then driving down from Naples is recommended. You can stay a few nights in San Nicola Arcella and check out Praia a Mare, which is right next to it.