Beached in Calabria

'Belissimo' - Daily Mail 'an amusing and charming read...Ross is the champion of the impulsive adventurer...If you are interested in Italy, in travel writing and the tales of a decent raconteur then this is for you.' - Paul Burke, NB Magazine Where do you go to when you only have a pittance for a home away from home for a huge family? Ian Ross realises that his small inheritance won't get him a place in France or even Spain, so he heads for southern Italy where he remembers the Blue Guide describing long empty sandy beaches in southern Calabria. When he arrives in Southern Italy he finds the house prices are encouragingly low. Why does no one go there? It's inaccessible and it's beloved of the Mafia. Not to be put off Ross stumes on the perfect beach on a crystal-clear bay in the deeply southern province of Reggio Calabria, an area he is soon advised is 'Bandit Country'. And the fact that there is a house right on the beach big enough for all the family at a price he can afford overcomes all fears and to a large extent all common sense. Buying it was only the beginning. Beached in Calabria catalogues the things that can go wrong in southern Italy for this English fish-out-of-waterman; he's out of his depth in a whirlpool of incomprehensible rules and regulations, family systems, conflicting advice and linguistic conundrums. Disaster follows disaster, but this travelogue encompasses tales of the friendships Ross makes on the way in this forgotten corner of Old Italy where the food and the 326 days of sunshine a year make for a perfect setting to a triumphant escapade.

“'an amusing and charming read'”

A lively - and extremely funny - yarn, populated by eccentric locals, evocative descriptions, punctuated by Ross's pidgin Italian.' -- Francesca Carington * Tatler *A great read if you're interested in travel writing and Italian culture, or just fancy a laugh.' -- Richard Hopton Country & Town House 'An amusing and charming read...Ross is the champion of the impulsive explorer...If you are interested in Italy, in travel writing and the tales of a decent raconteur then this is for you.' -- Paul Burke NB Magazine a witty and engaging account...Beached in Calabria is rich in local lore, lightly worn history and a sunny celebration of paradiso con il diavolo' -- Sarah Edworthy * Vanity Fair En Route *A pleasant read and it will transport you to this warm and idyllic (mostly...) part of the world!' -- Tina Hartas TripFiction `Ross is an entertaining companion, and I enjoyed this fun summer read.' -- Annabel Gaskell AnnaBookBel

Ian Ross was born in England, and currently lives in Bath.

His six-novel 'Twilight of Empire' series, set in the late Roman world, was published in the UK and worldwide between 2015 and 2019.

More recently, he has turned his attentions to the medieval period, and in particular the tumultuous era of the mid 13th Century.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.