Destination Calabria

JANE LAVENDER goes off the beaten path in Italy and finds beauty, and ice cream, in an unsung hero

- JANE LAVENDER

I'm no stranger to Italy, in fact I'd go as far as saying it's probably my favourite country in the world. From the ancient splendour and history of Rome to laid-back days at Lake Garda, and the art and culture of Florence to the magical Tuscany, there is something for everyone.

And that's before we get started on the food, wine and ice cream.

So when I heard about the Great Rail Journeys trip to the overlooked region of Calabria, there was no way I wasn't getting on a plane.

Arriving at Lamezia airport and then on to Tropea to see miles and miles of the turquoise blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the prettiest towns and villages you can imagine dotted all along the coastline, it seems insane that this region - the poorest of the 20 in Italy - is yet to be discovered by tourists.

Staying in the Sentido Michelizia Resort on the outskirts of Tropea, dubbed the most beautiful town in Italy (and it's easy to see why), provided the perfect base to explore Calabria.

Tropea is a stunning town, filled with cobbled streets that cascade down the cliff. Here you can take in secret alleyways packed with beauty and history as you wind your way down to the stunning beaches hugging this corner of this Italian paradise.