Soverato is a small fishing village of about 10,000 people whose deliciously white sand beaches have become a magnet for summertime tourists from northern Italy. You won't find much here by way of culture, but the beaches are nice enough that a few days at a bed-and-breakfast along the coast might be just what you are seeking in terms of away-from-it-all relaxation.

A couple of summertime festivals provide welcome diversions. There's the Feast of Maria Santissima di Porto Salvo, patron saint of sailors, which naturally includes a parade of boats.

Also look for the festival of fried sardines and peppers, as well as the festival of aubergines. “Aubergine” is another word for eggplant, a name you will rarely see on menus in Italy. The word aubergine developed French, while the term eggplant came into being in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand because plant fruits are yellow and white, and thus resemble hen's eggs.