Back to my roots
One of my most memorable experiences whilst travelling was a visit to my nonna’s (grandma’s) home town on the south east coast of Italy.
Roccella in Calabria is a quiet coastal town which comes alive in summer with festivals and tourists. My great uncle (my nonna’s brother) still lives in the family home where my nonna grew up and that was where I stayed with him, his wife and daughter.
My uncle’s house where my grandma grew up
Roccella streets
Over my four day visit my days consisted of a caffe latte and biscotti for breakfast; a few hours at the beach with crystal clear, warm waters; and a scrumptious lunch comprising pasta, cutlets or zucchini patties with salad, vegetables and the famous buffalo mozzarella. After lunch in true Italian style, we took a siesta until it cooled down a little and then returned to the beach. Our dinners were fairly light with cold meats, fruit and pastries. It was definitely a lifestyle I could get used to!
Roccella beach
Enjoying the Mediterranean Sea
I visited more relatives, took a tour of the town’s castle, went for a drive to Siderno and Cavalogna, was treated to brioche e gelato (a sweet bread with ice-cream), went to a festa in Monasteri with my cousin, and enjoyed pizza by the port.
Brioche e gelato!
The castle from my uncle’s balcony
Visiting Roccella was an unbelievable experience! It has encouraged me to explore more of my roots and return one day.