All booked and ready to go for your trip to Calabria? Here are some items I think everyone should bring when traveling Calabria. Some items are of course obvious, some others a little less. If you are instead looking for tips and overview of Lamezia Airport check out my article here, and here if you need help figuring out busses at the Lamezia Airport.
1. Flip-Flops
If you are traveling in the summer, you will definitely need to pack a pair of good flip flops. It’s what you are going to wear 50% of the time, especially if you are staying close to the beach.
I personally like Havaianas, they are durable and made with good materials. Perfect all day shoe for bumming around the beach. (on Amazon)
2. Beach Towel
This is probably the most important item to pack outside of the regular basics when traveling to Calabria. I grew up bumming on the beach in Soverato, from June to September, every year, for 18 years. You definitely want to get a towel that is “light” in weight/space, but that also dries well and quickly. I have personally been buying Dock & Bay quick drying beach towels and I have been super happy.
3. Sunglasses
Basic. Shouldn’t even need to be “listed”. Sunglasses are an absolute MUST in Calabria. Whether you are traveling there in the summer or winter, you are going to be needing sunglasses. On a horrible grey January day you will still need sunglasses in Calabria especially if you are planning to drive. The sun is STRONG!
4. Sunscreen | SPF Lotion
If you are traveling in the colder months you might not need it depending on your skin type. Though I would suggest you always pack some sunscreen if you are traveling to Calabria. Even if you are there in the winter.
I like the Neutrogena SPF 45 cause it comes in small 3oz containers, which works perfectly if you are traveling with only a carry-on. This way you can take the sunscreen in your carry on without any problems.
5. Beach Bag
This only applies if you are traveling to Calabria in the summer and if you are planning on going to the beach, of course. A beach bag when traveling to a place like Calabria is nothing else than a sack where you can dump all your belongings while hanging out on the beach. Things like cellphone, sunscreen, keys, wallet etc.
You can of course just take your backpack or purse, though I suggest you don’t. I brought my travel backpack on the beach once about 4 years ago. I still have sand falling off from it anytime I shake it! So, trust me: buy a cheap beach bag, something easy to wash. The one I use is on Amazon.
6. Bug Spray
Here is the deal with mosquitos and flies in Calabria. In the summer, close to the beach you won’t find any, the breeze of the sea does an incredible job at keeping them away from the coastal towns. If you are more “in-land” you are going to find them generally on humid days at sun down. I have never been bothered by them, or to be honest even noticed them… but other people have reported being bitten at night in the country side when outdoors.
It’s a good measure to bring some just in case, especially if you don’t know the area you will be staying in well enough. In Soverato I never experienced mosquitos or flies, but I have seen them in places like San Vito sullo Jonio, Chiaravalle Centrale, and Serra San Bruno (even further up in the mountains).
7. Waterproof Cellphone Case
You are gonna be spending lots of time on the beach, and Calabria whether is also very unpredictable so it’s always a good idea to keep your smartphone as secure as possible from water. Plus, taking pics underwater is SOOOO cool!
I am sure you have seen the little plastic “envelopes” that everyone is using to bring their iPhones in the water. It’s a pretty simple concept, put your phone into this see-through plastic bag, and fold the top tightly to create a vacuum. I have bought a couple of them for me and Jason and they costed less than $15 for both. You can find it on Amazon.
8. Bluetooth Portable Speaker
I don’t know about you, but I like to listen to music pretty much while do I everything. Although most beach establishments will always have some sort of music playing (sometimes good, sometimes horrible), it’s always good to carry a little bluetooth speaker to enjoy music on the beach, especially if you are going to a public beach.
These little speakers can be used anywhere. You can always just use it in your hotel room or AirBnB apartment. Who doesn’t want to listen to some music while sipping on some delicious Ciro’ wine?
I have bought the JBL Flip 4 and I take it with me everywhere I go. That little speaker is waterproof, dust proof, shock proof etc. etc. and quite powerful.
9. Babbel App to learn Italian
I personally don’t need it given I grew up here and Italian is my “first language”. Honestly I wouldn’t even have thought of it if it wasn’t for Jason mentioning the Babbel App. It’s not so much something to “pack”, but more something to download before you travel to Calabria, or Italy in general.
As I said, I have not personally used Babbel app, but Jason has been using it religiously to learn Italian and he has been doing amazing. Plus having the option of learning both on your computer and phone is essential. He pretty much only uses the app while on transit to work etc.
They have a free initial version, then they sell a subscription that you can buy directly from the app store, though it is cheaper if you buy the subscription on Amazon here.
