The Mediterranean Dream
Welcome
to Calabria, Southern Italy!
Help
bring a medieval city back to life and enjoy a holiday house in a Mediterranean
Climate and the good life
il dolce far niente!
the sweetness of doing nothing!
Inexpensive Historical Palazzos and Villa Apartments in Southern
Italy
Badolato,
established in 1080 AD and Torre di Ruggiero, in 800 AD, are located
in Calabria, Southern Italy, (history,
maps)
ten minutes from the Ionian Sea. Badolato is perched on a hilltop overlooking
the crystal clear Ionian Sea. Torre lies in a valley 1000 meters above
the coastline.
Both
villages are
surrounded by olive, orange, lemon, hazelnut, walnut and chestnut groves.
Known as a spiritual centers, the medieval cities contain many churches
(13 in the tiny town of Badolato alone!) Torre is home to the Madonna
delle Grazie dating back over 1200 years. The mineral water from
the city fountains is considered the superior drinking water in the
area.
Since
the late 1800's several hundred stone palazzos and houses are empty,
deserted due to a depressed economy. At one time the population of Badolato
was 5000 and Torre was 8,000. Now, the two towns combined number less
than 800. The Calabrian government and the European Community are working
with local companies to establish inexpensive vacation homes in order
to attract tourism and stimulate the economy while maintaining the original
ambiance of the magical cities.
Living
expenses are low (wine - $3 per bottle; porcini mushrooms - $5/LB; 2
doz. oranges - $1; etc.) With an international airport just 45 minutes
away, Calabria is well connected to Rome, Milan and the rest of Europe.
Summertime plane fares from Calabria to London are as low as $50 one
way. Round trip from NY is under $500. Rome by plane is 45 mins. and
costs $50, train is 5 hours. Sicily is 1 ½ hours by car, bus
or train.
INITIAL
OFFER
The first 50 houses are a group of palazzos and ancient villas that
date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. They are available as villas
or partitioned into apartments varying in size. All apartments have
private entrances, full, modern amenities and magnificent views of the
rolling landscape. All houses and apartments are available for purchase
or on a 20 year time share basis which includes electric, maintenance,
cable TV, etc.
The
local government has already restored infrastructure in the villages
including repaving the streets to their original cobblestone aspect.
New roads, plumbing and electric have all been constructed as part of
a continuing program to completely renovate the infrastructure for the
town's new residents. Hourly bus service to the seaside (10 min) and
resort towns (20 min) run continuously daily.
Several
villas have already been fully restored and are available immediately.
Visitors wishing to purchase villas, cottages or apartments that need
renovations are guaranteed accommodations in another restored apartment
of equal or greater space until his or her apartment is ready. Unfinished
properties can either be completed by purchasers or contracted with
a local company.
Those
wishing to establish businesses in Calabria should click here.
We
are always available to answer your questions. We speak English, German,
Russian and Italian so don't hesitate to contact us.
We
invite you to browse our listings and wish you all Benvenuto a Calabria,
Il Sogno Mediterraneo! (Welcome to Calabria, The Mediterranean Dream!)
