The Costa Viola is a stretch of beautiful coastline in the province of Reggio Calabria looking out towards the Aeolian Islands. It is so called due to the particualr hue of the reflections of the water perhaps due to the many small beaches or rock formations tumbling into the sea.

The main localities to visit are Villa San Giovanni, Scilla, Bagnara Calabra and Palmi.

Scilla is well known for the famous saying '(to be) between Scilla and Cariddi' which means a very delicate situation indeed as, according to Greek mythology. the two were terrible monsters who stood in front of each other at opposite sites of the Straits of Messina. They used to devour ships which got too close

As part of the SIAFT (Southern Italy Agrifood and Tourism) invitation, we had the opportunity of a guided walking tour of both the old and new parts of the city of Cosenza. The tour took in the Arnone Palace, Piazza XV Marzo, Corso Telesio and a visit to the Cathedral, as well as the outdoor MAB Museum.

Cosenza sits in a wonderfully green valley at the confluence of the River Crati and River Busento. Overlooking them both, and each other, are the Churchs of San Domenico and San Obono. You should start your tour here. The former boasts a carved wooden ceiling dating from 1600 in the Oratorio del Rosario while the Chapel of San Matteo is dedicated to the Madonna della Febbre.

The best way to visit the Area Marina Protetta Capo Rizzuto, or Protected Marine Area of Capo Rizzuto off the Crotone coast in Calabria, is by strapping on your scuba diving gear and dropping beneath the surface.

The second best way is to keep your clothes on and step aboard a glass bottomed boat which will take you on a guided tour.

About 42km of the sea off the coast is protected and divided into three zones. Zone C is partial reserve where only underwater sea fishing is not permitted. Zone B is the general reserve where bathing, underwater guided tours and general shipping of no more than 5 knots is allowed. Zone A is the total reserve and there are 3 such zones near Capo Colonna, Capo Cimiti and Capo Bianco.

Every sea activity is off limits, as well as diving, although guided snokelling tours to the view the submerged columns off Capo Cimiti can be requested.

The 'viddaneddha' is the Reggio Calabria version of the mysterious tarantella dance. It originates in ancient Greece and involves different rituals and symbolic performances.

In the past the tarantella offered the possibility for a man and a women to court in a very rigid society. The man gave prominence to his strength with harmonious and vigorous gestures while the woman assumed an attitude by making long trails of her flapping dress.

The woman would also take up the posture of the 'amphora' by placing her hands on her hips to emphasize her curves and demonstrate her fertility.

Not to be confused with Reggio Emilia, Reggio di Calabria on the shores of the Straits of Messina in South Italy, was founded in the second half of the VIII century B.C. by the 'calcidesi' from Eubea who left their native Greece seeking fortune abroad. Rhegion, soon joined Naxos and Zancle (Messina) to become the centre of trade, political and military power of the Magna Grecia.

It wasn't all an upward curve however and the colourful ancient history of the city features power struggles between the despot Anassilao and his sons, battles between Sparta and Athens, destruction by Dionisio in 387 B.C. (who deported the inhabitants to Siracusa) and Roman occupation from 270 B.C. following the Punic Wars.

Language, and especially dialect, is a great way to really understand a people or a place. What may have been forgotten in the history books can survive in daily speech and tell us more than we expect. Calabria and the local Calabrese vernacular is no exception.

Calabria did not exist when the Greeks first got there. The territory was called Brutium after an ancient Italic tribe who occupied the land and no doubt lived up to their tough name. Prior to that it was known as Enotria after another tribe.

Giacomo Casanova, the great womaniser, visited Calabria and found the local girls tough nuts to crack. His tongue in cheek sarcasm may have gone down well in the sophisticated salons of the Venetian Republic, but the straight talking Calabrese took an instant dislike to him.

What is the world's best statue? Has to be something from the Italian Renaissance, some thing by Michelangelo, David? So perfect that on our recent trip to Carrara we were told that an extremely rich American citizen has created an exact copy with the same marble used for the original.

Trouble is he might have copied the wrong one. For those in the know, the world's best statue, or statues, are the Bronzes from Riace in Reggio Calabria. A wonderful BBC television program coincided with our return from Carrara and built a convincing argument.

There a six mountain wilderness zones in Calabria and they effectively enclose the whole region from the sea and neighbours. They once provided shelter for on-the-run brigands but are now protected National Parks.

Altomonte lies 65km from Cosenza almost due north. It is a picturesque and medieval hamlet between the rivers Crati and Coscile and on the slopes of the Esaro Valley. This is where some of the best Calabrian wine once had its roots and the town is a good base from where to explore the Pollino National Park which borders Basilicata.

My family name is Calano and I believe we are from Saraceno in the Cosenza area. How can I find information about this village? Is it part of Pollino Park or adjacent to it? any information -- web sites, you may give will be appreciated.