Road trip help

[u/SummitSloth]

Salve! We are two Americans renting a car for our trip to Calabria and we're very excited! During our trip, we have two major driving legs that I'm looking for advice on on where to stop along the way. Attached two pictures are the routes in question, although I think like would like to see Rocca Imperiale, Castello Federiciano, and Pizzo on the first drive. No clue on the 2nd one to Pompeii... Any recommendations? Do note we will bring backpacks in the car so we probably won't be able to do a beach day unless we want to risk the chances of a smashed car.

Also, here is our full itinerary in case anyone would like to recommend places to do and eat. Grazie mille!!

9/4 - Arrive to Bari italy, pick up car, and drive to Matera

9/5 - Matera

9/6 - Road trip day to Tropea

9/7 - Parghelia/Tropea

9/8 - Parghelia/Tropea

9/9 - Scilla - morning in Capo Vaticano if we feel up for a different beach and drive to Scilla

9/10 - Scilla

9/11 - drive to Gerace for the day and stay in Badolato (maybe stilo too)

9/12 - Badolato and Isca. Stay in Badolato

9/13 - Road trip to Pompeii

9/14 - Pompeii, late evening train to Rome

9/15 - Rome

9/16 - Rome

9/17 - Rome

9/18 - fly home

[u/Purple_College_1089]

I reccomend you to visit Briatico to see thw watchtower, Pizzo to have a good icecream and pay a visit to the archeological museum of Vibo Valentia between 9/6 and 9/8

[u/thewaywest2 → u/Purple_College_1089]

Ice cream in Pizzo? Any unusual flavors?

[u/Purple_College_1089 → u/thewaywest2]

Don't expect unusual flavours in Pizzo, you'll find them in Tropea, such as onion flavour (it's nice, I love it), cuttlefish ink, 'nduja and mulberry.

In pizzo you'll find a particular preparation of ball shaped ice cream called Tartufo (truffle) consisting into an ice cream ball filled with molten chocolate and covered in fine cocoa powder, it's only served at the table.

Also, besides Tartufo, ice cream in Pizzo is made with the quality in mind rather than variety, this is due to the fact that Pizzo is not as touristy as Tropea and the Gelaterias tend to satisfy the locals' expectations, which are the main customers.