In Briatico we were very well treated. We were given the summer house of a young man, and we spent three full days relaxing and visiting the nearby towns.
During the day we would drive to Tropea, Pizzo, or across the toe of the boot to Stignano. Tropea is typical of most of the towns in the area. The main thing that is interesting about Tropea is how tiny alleyways will end overlooking a cliff. Pizzo is very small and not particularly interesting, but it is the birthplace of the delicious dessert called Tartufo. Tartufo are balls of ice cream - either one or two flavors - filled in the center with some form of sweet sticky syrup. Pretty delicious.
Our day trip over to Stignano was fun. The road was not the best, which is always thrilling. We crossed over the mountains, passing through both hard rain and sun. Stignano was a surprise. A cute stone town that was surprisingly hard to find.
In the evenings we would retire to the house and cook ourselves some dinner. Our host and his girlfriend joined us once, and prepared a regional Calabrian pasta dish. Our time in Tropea was sweet and refreshing.
