Sept. 8, 2025
Few of the nearly 60 million annual visitors to Italy ever get to see the wonders of Calabria. The honey traps of Rome, Venice, and Tuscany are understandably popular, yet it is the wild south that Italians flock to, and where incentive events enjoy the very best of Italy, without the crowds.
Missing a trick
Incentive event planners are continually seeking new and exciting destinations. There is only so much new life that can be breathed into the stalwart destinations of the incentive event industry. Reaching further afield adds costs, carbon and time to a programme. And while incentive event professionals can be wonderfully creative, the decision-maker may get cold feet with a proposal that is a bit too unfamiliar. Discovering new gems in familiar countries is a win-win. That is very much the case in southern Italy, where the wilds of Calabria extend the magic of Puglia. The heel of Italy is a land of smouldering volcanoes, views of Sicily, slow travel, and lunchtime feasts. The sea is sublime, and much of the activity is focused on or around the emerald waters of the coast. Picture-postcard doesn’t come close, with villages such as Tropea oozing style and atmosphere.
Long seasons
Calabria is one of the southernmost regions in Europe, and its climate is sublime. Cooled by consistent sea breezes, Calabria bathes under an ever-present sun. While the main sites are popular in August, the destinations offer the chance to enjoy beach life for much of the year, with the comfort of sparsely populated beaches and idyllic beachfront terraces. Both autumn and spring are superb times to enjoy the Calabrian coast.
Something unique
Calabria is unmistakably Italian, yet it is a throwback to a bygone era. Crowds are confined to a few hotspots in peak summer, and much of the experience feels like the golden age before over-tourism. Calabria is all about slow travel, long lunches and time in the water. The volcanic horizon and Roman artefacts make this a truly meaningful experience – nowhere else does a setting like Italy. Snorkel amongst Roman ruins, enjoy a sunset in the volcanic waters around Stromboli or feast for hours.
While crowds heave through the multiple pinch-points across Europe’s prime event locations, there are still amazing destinations for clients to enjoy away from the masses. Calabria is very much one of those regions.
