We were up very early this morning because we had to leave the hotel at 5:45 to catch the ferry for the convoluted ride to Calabria. We had to leave Lipari, return to Messina, Sicily and then take the ferry to the mainland of Italy and the city of Reggio Calabria. Calabria is basically the toe of Italy. Tony’s grandfather was from Calabria while the rest of the family was all from Sicily.

The city is an interesting mix of old and new due to a devastating earthquake in 1908. Interestingly, I was sitting on the bed in the hotel and I felt a little swaying. Didn’t think too much of it other than it felt like some of the tremors we had in Rochester. The next day a friend told me that they had a 4.4 earthquake in Naples. I guess I really wasn’t losing my mind.

After getting off the boat we boarded the bus and made a quick stop at an authentic coffee shop where the locals would hang out. I had an Americano coffee (that is basically espresso with water) and a pasty. The hotel gave us a boxed breakfast and mine was marked vegan and it had a cheese sandwich in it.

We took a bus ride to a gorgeous little town on the Strait of Messina called Scilla. It is the traditional site of the Greek sea monster Scylla.

It is in Scilla that we discovered Bergemot. I knew what it was because of my obsession with essential oils. Who knew they made it into a wonderful liquor? We all enjoyed a taste of it and everything else Bergemot in Calabria. They even have a museum here that is dedicated to it. There is Bergemot gelato, cookies, pasta, etc. I bought a bottle of Bergemot vinegar that I am looking forward to using. Italians call it Bergemotto.

Off to lunch and then to a music shop where this cool Rock and Roll guy of the 1960s makes authentic instruments native to Calabria. They are all made by hand.

Finally a bus ride back to Reggio Calabria to check into our hotel. Dinner was around the corner at a street cafe. Several of us had Cosmopolitans that looked different than we have at home but equally as delicious.

Dinner consisted of appetizers of olives, capers and stuffed fried dough. The main course was vegetable couscous, eggplant parm and some sautéed vegetables. A very delightful evening.

Tomorrow’s plans include a guided tour of the Archeological Museum, a walk along the promenade and then a stop at the Cathedral of Reggio Calabia.