My husband and I are considering a week-long trip in Calabria for my 40th Birthday in November. I have previously been on a fairly standard tour of Italy when I was a teenager (Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Milan) but it was an organized tour, and I've never been to the South. My husband's family originally comes from Caulonia in Calabria, and part of mine comes from Messina, Sicily. We do not speak Italian.
We were thinking maybe 4 nights in Reggio Calabria with day trips to Messina and Caulonia, 2 nights in Tropea, and 2 nights somewhere on the Ionian coast but not sure where exactly, perhaps Crotone. Would like to get a good mix of ruins, mountains, beautiful towns, food/wine, etc.
Curious if anyone has been to Calabria in November, and can give recommendations on an itinerary. I know it is off-season, but still seems like it would be pleasant weather. What is public transit like? And how are the roads if we rent a car?
We could potentially fly into Reggio Calabria or Lamezia Terme, or into one and out the other, whatever makes the most sense. Open to suggestions on a great Calabrian itinerary!