Culture vulture from London with a passion for all things foodie. I’ve lived abroad for almost 10 years, floating from one magical place to another. I studied literature at university in the eclectic city of Brighton, and since then, I’ve been hooked on keeping up with what to do, see, and, of course, eat. I’m a firm believer in appreciating and learning from local cultures, travelling responsibly, and giving new things a go with an open mind and a healthy dose of curiosity. I try to share useful tips, local insights and a bit of honest know-how, so you can make the most of wherever you find yourself.
If you’ve spent any time on an Italian beach, you’ll know it usually means hiring a sun umbrella and a couple of loungers at a privately managed beach club. What’s changed is the price.
Italy has a knack for hiding its best cards. Beyond Rome, Florence and Venice, there are incredible places in Italy that feel lifted straight out of a historical novel: alpine lakes that once turned red, Moorish revival castles, lava-carved gorges and abandoned hilltop towns.
The Blue Flag, or Bandiera Blu, is a pretty big deal along the Italian coast. It’s an international stamp of approval for beaches with spotless water, solid lifeguard cover, top-notch facilities, and a real commitment to taking care of the environment.
Calabria sits between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, with long sandy stretches on one side and rocky coves beneath medieval towns on the other. In 2026, 27 Blue Flag beaches in Calabria were recognised for their water quality, safety standards and environmental management.What Blue Flag