The diversity of Europe: so many completely different cultures in one geographic area of the world.  After a month in Belarus, Anya and I returned to The Netherlands for two weeks and then flew to Lamazia in Calabria. We booked a cheap apartment out of town and in among small farms. 

We walked into town and spent time in the  historic area: 

After two days in Lamazia, we caught a train to the east coast and travelled slowly south, stopping at towns on the way, swimming and doing short trips inland.  Calabria is the end of the ‘Italian boot’ – rugged and mountainous inland with a pristine coast, very little of which has been developed.

In each town, a slice of the vivid Italian culture, unique, like no other.