Calabria

This beautiful region, which forms the 'toe' of Italy, comprises mainly mountains that drop abruptly to white sandy beaches and the sea, together with some fertile plains - both low and high. There are plenty of cultivated citrus groves and vegetables, plus excellent wild fungi and chestnuts in the autumn. Chilli flavours meat and fish dishes and an array of Mediterranean seafood is caught along the extensive coastline, to be enjoyed locally and abroad.