my wife and I plan to stay in southern italy about two weeks, next year either in may or sept/oct. we have never been there, and would like to stay one week each in two different locations, preferable on the water/beach. we likely will have an auto, and would like to be within walking distance of the center of coastal towns. thanks, nick b.
Recommend Tropea for one of your stops. We also enjoyed Cirella.
Soverato on the Ionian coast, waaay south in Calabria has gorgeous, long, wide beaches, lots of restaurants and some nice little hotels. We like Il Nocchiero, with its AC, elevator, central location, and just a short walk from the beach and next to a main square, and gelateria. There's a market on Friday mornings just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Good to have a car for getting around the area. Lots to see nearby.