La Bruca Calabria awaits you... Easy to reach by exiting at Lagonegro Nord on the Salerno - Reggio Calabria Autoroute, the little town of Scalea sits like a jewel above the sea, terraced on the typical rocky slopes of the shoreline. Behind it, the fabulous greenery of Pollino with the magnificent woods of the National park "Pollino". Calabria is noted for its long coastline of sandy beaches, and rugged inland mountain ranges dotted with historic villages. THE HOUSE - LA BRUCA, RESIDENCE MERCURE This three-bedroom apartment is in a mature small development of exclusive holiday homes set in landscaped gardens, just 300 meters from the sea. All around it is the tranquillity of a 2,000 hectare estate of pastureland where animals graze, and where Ricotta and Pecorino cheeses are made and sold. La Bruca has been lovingly restored for the owner's personal use, with high quality furnishings and decoration. Each of the three pretty bedrooms has a private bathroom, providing comfortable accommodation for three couples. From the fully-equipped kitchen, meals can be served in the secluded shady garden or in the living/dining room, whose French windows open to pastoral views. These cool rooms -- light and airy -- are all decorated in pretty floral cotton fabrics. There are bedside lights and built-in closets. The floors feature the famous local "Vietri" hand-made tiles. Two of the three bedrooms have tubs and showers; the third has a shower compartment: The surfaces are, again, "Vietri" tiles. For outside entertaining, there is a marble table that seats 20 people. The beautiful crescent beach at Marina dei Pioppi, a short walk away, has restricted access in the high season, but is always open for residents of La Bruca. It provides loungers and beach umbrellas, and snack-bar amenities. The pretty seaside village of Santa Maria del Cedro, less than a kilometer away, has adequate shops, and restaurants specializing in fish and other local produce. The Baroni Fazio estate, on which La Bruca is sited, offers tennis courts and horse-riding. There is a 9-hole golf course at the hotel San Michele, Belvedere, within 10 kilometers. A week's rental is from 16.00 hours on Saturday until 10.00 the following Saturday, at which point the house is cleaned and the bed linen and towels renewed. Stays of two weeks or more include an extra two- hour house cleaning on Tuesdays. This property is normally available for rent between May and October each year, including Easter Holidays. For information on the cultural activities and events and the natural and gastronomic delights of the area, click on www.scalea.it Click to enlarge photos: How to arrive to Scalea From Milano, Firenze, Roma and Napoli take: A1 Milano - Napoli A3 Napoli - Salerno - Reggio Calabria exit at Lagonegro North and follow the signs to Scalea When you reach the village of Scalea follow the south coastal road untill you cross the river Lao, and at 295 km sign turn left to "Verbicaro - Marcellina - Orsomarso" and after 300m you turn left again at a sign "Residence Mercure" and you are there.