Regional highlights of Calabria and Lazio explore nature and heritage

The Calabria region offers diverse landscapes ranging from the Sila and Pollino mountains to the Ionian coast. In the province of Cosenza, the area is characterized by unique agricultural traditions, particularly viticulture. The Dop Terre di Cosenza has worked to revitalize indigenous grape varieties over the last two decades. Recent discoveries of ancestral vines at the mouth of the Crati River highlight the region's significant genetic biodiversity.

In the Sila mountains, high altitudes and thermal excursions, combined with breezes from the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas, contribute to the acidity and freshness of local grapes such as Magliocco, Pecorello, and Montonico. This heroic viticulture often involves manual labor on steep, fragmented plots.

In the Lazio region, the seaside town of Gaeta provides a mix of maritime and mountainous scenery. Key landmarks include the Serapo beach and Monte Orlando. The area is home to the Sanctuary of the Santissima Trinità, located within the Montagna Spaccata, a natural rock fissure. Other notable sites include the Grotta del Turco, where coastal paths offer views of the sea infiltrating the rock formations.