Praia a Mare, hang gliding into the water

In the northern stretch of the Tyrrhenian Coast of Cosenza, overlooking the sea with the reliefs of the first mountain range of the Calabrian Apennines behind it, is Praia a Mare, a town of about 6,600 inhabitants in the province of Cosenza, 103 km north of the capital. Center already known in Greek and then Roman times, it has always been characterized in history as a fishing village, also witnessing slave trafficking that once took place on these coasts together with the traffic of goods, today Praia, i.e. Beach, essentially lives of tourism. And to constitute the highlight of its proposal to visitors is the splendid light gray sand beach that plunges into a clear turquoise sea with shallow water, which has earned the village the Green Flag as an ideal location for children and the Blue Flag as the best. coastal location. At the southern end of the beach, closed by Punta Fiuzzi, on which stands the homonymous tower built for defensive purposes, the Dino Island rises from the waters, a strip of land of 10 hectares for 518 meters in width, symbol of the city, on which nature has left a pearl like the Blue Grotto, which can be visited by boat, with shades of the seabed ranging from turquoise to cobalt blue following the phases of the day. On a rise of the mainland, opposite, stands the Norman Castle, wanted by Charles, Duke of Calabria, as a defensive base from Saracen attacks. Today it is a particular accommodation facility, which has remained intact inside, preserving a particularly sought-after location by young tourists. Particular is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Grotta, obtained inside a cave, where a wooden effigy of the Virgin with child is preserved, to which various miracles have been attributed. For nature lovers, a visit to the nearby Pollino Park is not to be missed, where study days are organized for schoolchildren, while the hang gliding school exerts an irresistible attraction on bathers and boaters, which in a short time allows you to experience the thrill of a I fly at a height of 600 meters from the hills behind and down to the beach. If you are looking for a culinary break, the specialties of the Praia are above all the grouper with spicy tomato, the Cosentina-style lamb chops and the frozen nougat, superfine dishes with a strong southern flavor.