Praia a Mare
Praia a Mare is an undiscovered pearl in the Calabria region of Italy, the perfect place for travellers looking for a place off the beaten track. This village of 5000 people stands in front of Dino island, surrounded by the stunning Policastro gulf.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]Italy's Trenitalia rail network serves Praja a Mare with trains running approximately every two hours. The station can be easily missed, as it is a hub for two other nearby villages as well: look for Praja, not Praja a Mare, when preparing to alight the train.
By boat
[edit]It is possible to land small watercraft on the beaches adjacent to the promenade 1-2 km south of the village center. Avoid berthing boats in the area just south of Dino island, especially in the summer--that area is reserved for swimmers.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]The crystal colour of the water surrounding the Dino Island is worth the trip this little pearl of Mediterranean Sea. The island, 3 km long, offers three marine caves to explore: the Waterfalls cave, the Lion Cave and the more popular Blu Grotto, the largest cave, where the water appears lit up from bottom. The coastline runs for 6 km, assuming several different looks, from sandy beaches to black rocks.
If you are visiting Praja is a must to see the Cave Sanctuary, where is kept the sacred statue of the Maria the virgin, protector of town.
Do
[edit]In Praja there's really no time to get bored! You can just relax on the beach, cuddled by the breeze while lying back on a deckchair, or you can make your time simply extreme!
- Paragliding. From a 600-metre hill down to the sea.
- White Water Rafting on the Lao river in spectacular Pollino National Park.
- Cliff Jumping The highlight for travellers who enjoy having butterflies in their stomachs is cliff jumping off Arcomagno Rock, a 22-metre (67-foot) natural bridge over a hidden crystal bay. For less brave divers, lower jumps can be found on the Dino Island coast.
- Scuba diving. You don't need to be a professional diver to enjoy the coral gardens or the ancient relics lying not far from Dino Island.
- Trekking Not many places offer the diversity of mountains meeting the sea. Praja does, leading the beauty of Pollino national parks to the clearness of the Tirrenian Sea.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Pizz Stop on the Main Street sells succulent and authentic Italian pizza by the slice for a reasonable price.
- Cold Passions is a few doors up. It has long been said that long before are had been colonised, cold passions was a lone gelateria in the same space it stands today and its gelato was so exceptional the town of Praia was built around it.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- OndaRoad Beach Hostel, ☏ +39 347-0736169. Family run hostel a few metres from the beach. Helpful staff, delicious food (fish caught that day, fresh salad picked from the garden, home-made wine). €19 in a mixed dorm, €25 (per person) for an en suite double room. Free breakfast, home made lunch, and pick up from the train station.