Ionian Jewel Tours............... Calabria, Italy

Not just Calabria any more

2012-01-31T06:28:00.000-08:00

I am so proud to be a Calabrese! It is from this part of Italy that I learned so much about the Italians and their way of life. I say this because traveling through out Italy I have meet so many people from this region. When I was in Cinque Terra and told people I was Calabrese they were so happy to hear that. They would say proudly " I am Calabrese" and we spend our summers in the beautiful coastal towns there." I say I have learned much from being from the south of Italy because it is from here that I was able to launch my travel career . I and along with my beloved best friend Antonio decided it would be great to show people this untouched part of Italy. It would be a untour for tourist seeking to find the true nature of what it means to live like our great grandparents did before some ,not all moved out of the region or country such as my grandparents did and my their way to Boston. My first tours were only Calabria , and excursions over to Lipari. I made so many friends along the way. From Nazereno who owns the best restaurant on the island of Lipari , La Cambusa to the best hotel in Soverato , Calabria Hotel San Domenico owner and friend Luciano.
Yes with Antonio we took our groups from Calabria, to Abruzzo, to the Amalfi Coast. and to Sicily! Calabria was so impressive to my clients that when they did return on the tours they wanted only Calabria and the San Domenico Hotel . Now if you are wondering why I do not only do Calabria anymore . It is not that I do not love it. However the area of Puglia, and Basilicata and Sicily are so close that it adds a little bit more to the tours and keeps with the traditions of old world charm. From the Trulli's to the Sassi in Matera, to the volcanic islands here you can live like the locals even if just for a 12 day stay.
Antonio passed away this year and I miss him terribly. The knowledge he gave me of souther Italy is something I will cherish for ever as I continue to tour around Sothern Italy.

4 months in Italy

2011-09-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I've blogged about my trips to Italy. This year I decided to spend 4 months in there. I am blessed with a family who understands my love of travel and even more so, my love of Italy. I want you all to know that I think all of Italy is beautiful. My favorite parts are Lake Como, Puglia, The Amalfi Coast, The Aeolian Islands, and of course my bella Calabria. It has been a year since my aunt Teresa passed away and this year after traveling with Ionian Jewel Tours for 4 months, I was able to spend time in the house my mother and my aunt were born in and also I have been fortunate enough to inherit this house in the town I was born in. This house was left to my family and I do not know where to begin to describe the beautiful views of the Ionian Sea and the glorious mountains that are just outside the windows upon awakening every morning. Waking up every day and listening to the sound of the vendors yelling through a megaphone about what kind of fruits and vegetables they are selling and stepping out of my house to purchase them off the small trucks brings me back to my childhood. Fish, Cheese, and even house hold items are sold this way; I love it.

I love when the older women sit on my foot steps in the afternoon and in the evening. They continue to do this even after my aunt passed away. Yes, I am blessed now that I have this house which allows me to conduct my tour business while I am in Italy. No more traveling back and forth. I just simply meet and greet my clients in Italy and when my tours are done I return to my new home and await the next group traveling to Italy for an experience like the one I lived the past four months.

Montepaone is the name of the place in Calabria where I spent my summer. It is a place for those looking for relaxation and for those who have a great appreciation for a small town still keeping traditions of many years ago.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

saying good bye to Auntie Teresa

2010-10-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

On September 9th my aunt Teresa passed away. The memories of the times spent in Italy in that little house overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea from one balcony and the mystical mountains from the other balcony will never be just a memory. We had some wonderful times with my aunt when we would go to Montepaone for the summers. She would always make it special for us since she had no children of her own. My uncle and my aunt were a great couple. After he husband passed away she lost interest in many of her daily routines. The house she once loved she just abandoned . She would just sit on her steps outside waiting for all the other widows to sit and talk for hours about anything and everything. This became her life. It made her happy just hang with the women on the ruga(the little street ).
When I would go visit her the last couple of years . I would find her wondering the little streets or just sitting in the little chair made out of wood and stray looking as if she was lost. Then she would notice me and she would laugh and with in a split second she would cry. When I last saw her in June I knew I would not see her on that little chair again with her friends.
After her funeral I returned to the house which was left to my family and started to clear all the years of clutter she had left behind.
Now I have started to sit with the ladies in the ruga who tell stories of my aunt in her last years, and stories of my mom and dad and of all the Monteponese that are departed.
While in that house and town I noticed how happy I was . It is the simplicity of life that these wonderful people have showed me and I miss that now that I am home in the States. Auntie Teresa lived that simple life . I know today that is why she never wanted to leave that little house in that special little town in Calabria.
My brother and sisters and I will be traveling to Italy more often and never take for granted what was left to us.
Our family home passed down from our parents who also owned the house with auntie Teresa.

Calabria is always been the most special place on earth for us.

Friends in Calabria

2010-07-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Four years ago I meet David of Steiman and Gentile a Bus touring company in Calabria. I knew after hiring this family business that I would not use anyone else. They are wonderful, caring people. No matter who the driver is they are always careful while driving. (You all know what driving is like in Italy. They drive like crazy people!!!!)
Every tour group I have taken to Italy, always comments on the drivers.
This year David invited my family and my friends to his house in Staletti. This beautiful town is 20 minutes from the beautiful grounds of Cassiodoro where we were staying. David, his mother, and his girlfriend Anna had a wonderful pizza night for us. It was a perfect night . The stars lit up the sky as we ate outside in the fresh mountain air , while the moon reflected on the beautiful sea beneath us.We enjoyed the local wines and cheese of the are along with wonderful conversation.
I am glad my sister and my friends were able to enjoy themselves with the many friends I have made in BELLA CALABRIA!!!!!!!

Calabria, Sicily, and auntie Teresa

2010-07-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

We just got back from another trip to bella Calabria. This time we stayed at a palace called Cassiodoro in Staletti province of Catazaro. There were 10 of us in all. We each rented flats on this beautiful manicured grounds. It is located about 2 miles from the sea. Our room had the most amazing views of the coast. This location is very family friendly and was very relaxing. We would spend the day at the beach and with the temperatures in the high 80's is was very refreshening to come back to the beautiful breeze this location offered all day. The owners were right you do not need air conditioning at the place.

My stay in Calabria is always bitter sweet. I go visit my aunt who health is in decline. She hardly knows who were are . It is sad to find her roaming the streets of Montepaone looking for someone to keep her company. If she could only remember she has company all the time. This time I took my sister with me who had not been in Italy for 10 years, and only now could she understand what was happening to her aunt Teresa. We would go visit her 2 more times after that and said our goodbyes . Who knows if we will ever see her again in her little home and town of Montepaone.

Since I was traveling with another family I decided it was time to take them to may friends place is Lipari. La Villetta. We all loved it here. The people , the beaches and ofcourse the food.

I went back to Stromboli with them. This time instead of the volcano spitting out lava, we were finishing up our drinks at the bar when we hear a load explosion ! People were running out of stores, bars, homes looking scared and confused. I was just trying to pay the bill, when I asked what happened? The young girl at the cashiers desk had tears in her eyes and said she though that the volcano had finally exploded. Lucky for us it did not. Well we did not get to see to much lava that night as our boat docked on the waters in front to the volcano. Like my friends said "We got to experience the real deal "

Lipari was great. It was very hot and we were ready to go back to Calabria to our breezy apartments. On the day before we departed, we walked to the town of Staletti. If you are looking for granita look no further than Bar Jolli. They travel form all over for this granita.It is the best.

cooking with Marianna

2009-07-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

When I discovered InItalyTours offered a cooking class in the mountains in a little country home I could not resist the offer from Tania the founder of the company. Since I also have a company that runs tours to Calabria .I wanted to sample this cooking class for myself. Marianna lead me to her herbal ,vegetable and fruit garden in the field where they are grown . My husband and I were also shown how to make home made fisilli (pasta). Our meal was accompanied by some wonderful Calabrese wines .It was like a journey through time.. What made this night so special was sitting down with Tania , Mariana and her husband Franco surrounded by the rustic beauty in the hills of Tropea . As we sat in the middle of the field under a beautiful white canopy with candles burning and the brilliant stars above I knew we were about to indugle ourselves in a great Calabrese feast.Buona Petito!!!!!!!1

After Calabria comes Lipari

2009-06-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

After nine days of taking care of my aunt our 25th. wedding anniversary celebration began.

We chose the island of Lipari because we both love it there. Lipari in May is just perfect, not overwhelming with tourist yet just enough to make this place exciting. We had a wonderful time. Our days were so peaceful. We would take long walks to the markets, along the sea shore and enjoy the cafes and beaches.

Our favorite place to eat is La Cambussa. Nazareno and Franca are wonderful, warm people. Franca is the chef and Nazareno her husband is the waiter. By far best food and wine on the island.

One afternoon we took a boat over to the islands of Panarea and Stromboli. So romantic!! Panarea is the island of the VIPS. Stromboli is beautiful at sunset. The boat sails out and anchors in view of the active volcano. The stillness of the water, the red lava and listening to the rocks tumble down to the water is a spectacular event to witness. You must experience it. I highly recommend it.

We will be going to back to Lipari soon and visit LA CAMBUSSA and all the friends from our anniversary celebration. Our next trip will include the islands of Alicudi and Filicudi. Both islands are on my list of must see locations. We will not wait 25 years to enjoy the wonders of Lipari.

2009-06-09T14:48:00.001-07:00

Memories of Aunt Teresa and Montepaone

2009-06-09T14:14:00.002-07:00

On May 12th my husband and I arrived in Calabria. The name of my hometown is Montepaone.

We decided to spend our 25th wedding anniversary in Italy this year. This was to be a bitter sweet trip for us. I knew as we left I was going to take care of my aunt Teresa who has been sick for a couple of years now. I never expected to fine her in the condition she was in.

My aunt who always had beautiful hair , beautiful clothes and a little on the heavy side look so different. I watched her come down the stairs to greet my husband and I all I could think is who is taking care of her. She suffers from dementia and has mini strokes during the day. I was wondering how can anyone leave her in this condition. This is where our journey begins.

My aunt is and was always a stubborn women. She will not let anyone take care of her. She refuses help and can get very nasty at times. The nine days my husband and I spent in Montepaone were challenging . I would follow her in the morning and watch her make her coffee with anisette. According to my aunt her doctor order that, of course that was not true.

I cleaned her house as she yelled at me for throwing all her very old rags and old opened food away. The highlight of the day would be when my husband would sit outside with the old widow neighbors eating ice cream while I would cook and clean. During the night, my aunt had ritual that she performed before going to bed. The first night my husband and I were lying in bed and we heard screaming and banging on the windows. It was my aunt, she said "I am getting the demons out of my house"..... AH OK!!!! So after that we knew that she would do it each night.

As the days went on it became clear to me that she really need 24 hours care.

I really did not want to leave her but it is her life and her little town with her close friends. She plans on coming to the USA with her nephew soon. I hope she is able to make the the trip.

As I said goodbye to my aunt and Montepaone I looked around at the houses and the little alleys I would play in when I was a little girl and was sad.

I knew as my husband and I drove away that the next time I arrive in Montepaone my aunt will not be coming out to greet us instead the house will be empty waiting for the next generation to move in.

May in Calabria

2009-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

On May 11th my husband and I will be on a plane headed for Calabria again. This time it will be just the two of us.
For the past 10 years I have been a tour guide for the Calabria area of Italy that I know and love so much. It will seem strange at first, for everyday I would plan which beautiful little town we would go visit next. But this time it will be very relaxing and my husband and I will be able to see what we want at the pace we chose.
I am excited to be spending a week in the town of Montepaone. That is where I was born. The memories of my wonderful childhood will be so comforting and welcoming. I can not wait to show my husband all the friends that made me feel special whenever we would visit when I was young. Those months we would spend there would just fly by. Just like the 25 years of marriage we will be celebrating. We chose to go to Calabria and Sicily because they are the locations we enjoy so much.
For those who have not been . You must go !! I would recommend you go in the months of June ,July, and August.
Calabria is definitely a summer destination for those who love the sea. For those like me who have family. Calabria is a great family friendly place to visit.
I can not wait to tell you all about it when I get back
Viva la Calabria!!!!!!!

Ricardi train station

2008-10-05T04:17:00.000-07:00

As we were waiting in the train station I could not help but notice how much graffiti one could see and how run down this station was. Like most stations now in Calabria with the exceptions of the major ones these small town stations all look like this.

Yet standing there I could not help but remember how these train stations were the connection to the world of the Americans, Australians, French ,and the Milanese and more. People would be waiting in anticipation for their families to arrive for their summer vacations. Grandparents ,aunts, uncles, cousins would be jumping up and down as the trains would pull up to the stations.

I remember looking around and seeing beautiful birdbaths and amazing little gardens with vibrant colored flowers and benches everywhere at these stations. For you see train stations back then were a place where seniors like my grandparents would go to sit and relax on the bench reading the newspaper while listening to the sounds of the little birds . You could hear faint echos of conversations people were having as they were waiting for their trains to pull up to the station. How can I forget the train masters wife who would be hanging out clothes from her window while saying hello to all in the station she knew every ones name and would strike up conversations with them . People would just stroll up and down admiring the little gardens that they could take there passegiata .

While we were waiting for the train to take us from Ricardi to Scilla . I noticed a women walking my way and she stop and sat next to me on the bench. She started a conversation with me about this particular train station. "Up until 2 years ago this train station was the most beautiful one in Calabria." She told me that she and her husband would come her and just walk through the little garden filled with the most beautiful flowers one could imagine. The structure of the building resembled a magnificent villa . She told me that the government can not afford to keep this small stations going anymore and that were left abandoned .In fact not to many trains stop in the small towns anymore.

Yet like all Italians it has not stop them for going back to the place with emotional ties and looking ahead hoping that one day these little stations will make a come back and be what they once were.

missing the connection

2008-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since I have written in my blog. I have to say that not a minute goes by that I do not think about how beautiful Calabria is. I miss not being able to talk to the warm Calabrese people I meet all the time. The smell of every ones kitchen as I pass there houses along my way to the store every morning. The voices of the kids getting ready to head down to the beautiful blue sea. Yes I miss all that. It is no wonder I go back every year.

reunion for all Calabrese

2008-07-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hello all you Calabrese.
If any of you are interested in a trip to Calabria in 2010 LETS ALL MEET IN CALABRIA!!!!
If you have never been and want to find your roots this is perfect for you.If you have been and want to go back and be with all your Calabresi piasani from Massachusetts or anywhere in the USA I am willing to put together a trip for all.
I think it would be great to share stories and to meet. We can invite others and show off our beautiful land. Travel through all the different regions. Can you imagine ?
When I was a little girl and would tell people that I was born in Calabria Italy they would say WHERE IS THAT?
Today however it is a different story. Now I take friends and family with me and they all say WE WANT TO GO BACK THERE.
I do have a website. www.ionianjewel.com . I must admit I do take my clients all over Italy.

I will reserve 2010 for Calabria only.
VIVA LA CALABRIA!!!!!!

Calabrese people I meet

2008-07-22T02:42:00.000-07:00

I have been home one week now. I miss Calabria. I miss the walks I would take with members of my husbands family in the mornings and stopping at the end of the road to chat with an elderly man . He told us his name was Silvester. He was the only one in town with that name. He was a very young 87 years. Everyday we would learn more about him as would would speak to him through the mesh fence surrounding his garden. He spoke to us of his capture during the war in Tunisia by the Americans and sent to Kansas to work on the corn fields. He said it was difficult but never uttered a bad word about America or the Americans.
There is the little market we would go to in the mornings. The woman who got to know me so well that she wrote down a wonderful recipe for me on making eggplant balls in stead of meat balls. Her conversations everyday telling me how she admired the fact I loved Calabria so much that I returned every year and this time with my husbands family. It made her orgogliosa!!! Which means proud. This trip was not just about the beauty of the sea and the little towns . This was also the beauty of the Calabrese people.

Capo Vaticano Calabria

2008-07-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

After all the trips I have made to Calabria, taking one day excursions to Tropea and Pizzo Calabro I finally made this area my destination point for a vacation and was not disappointed. The beauty of this area has to be seen by ones owns eyes. It was better than I imagined. The sunsets over the island of Strombli with it's beautiful pink sky every night was just the invitation we need to visit the Aeolian Islands .

The cooking school with Marianna and Franco and our host Tania was a setting I can not forget. The rustic setting is what this area is all about. The wonderful dinner prepared for us by Rosanna at her and Roberto's resort was also amazing. The wines of this area are a compliment to the Calabrese cuisine

Scylla a picturesque fishing village where today some still fish for swordfish the old fashion way. The boats are called passerelle. This town is also the home of the Odyssey.

Calabria is a hidden gem. It must be toured with people who know here well.

The say Rome is the soul of Italy. I say Calabria is the heart.

I will post pictures soon.

Soon to discover Capo Vaticano Calabria

2008-06-17T07:37:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow traverlers

I have decided to start this blog on Calabria because I feel that such a rustic part of Italy does not get a fair share of reviews such as other parts of the country.
I was born in Montepaone which is the province of Catanzaro and for many years now I have been a personal tour guide for this area of Italy. I have been doing many genealogy tours and continue to do so today.
There is so much to discover in this part of Italy. I know have decided to go back to Calabria not as a tour guide but as a tourist myself. It will be interesting since this time I will be staying in Ricadi the province of Vibo Valentia.
I will keep you all posted and bring back lot's of foto's . In the mean time I do have a web site
www.ionianjewel.com. I encourage anyone who is looking for an adventure to go to the site.
I will be leaving on the 26th of June . I will get back to my blog then.