Italy
Tropea
Red onions growing on white cliffs above turquoise water, a church balanced on a sea stack.
White sandstone cliffs drop into water so clear the seabed glows turquoise from above. The Santa Maria dell'Isola church perches on a sea stack connected to the beach by a stone staircase, its silhouette the defining image of Calabria's coast. The air smells of salt and the sweet red onions that grow on every terrace in town.
Tropea is a clifftop town on Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast, built on a white sandstone promontory above some of the clearest water in mainland Italy. The Cipolla Rossa di Tropea — the town's famous red onion, protected by IGP status — is mild enough to eat raw and appears in everything from salads to marmalade. The old town occupies the cliff edge, its narrow streets ending at viewpoints overlooking the beach and the church of Santa Maria dell'Isola on its rocky outcrop. Below, the Spiaggia della Rotonda offers sheltered swimming against the base of the cliffs. Tropea sits within reach of the Aeolian Islands by hydrofoil, making it a dual-purpose base for coastal relaxation and island excursions along Calabria's Costa degli Dei.
Couple
The cliff-edge passeggiata at sunset, the church on the sea stack glowing pink, dinner with 'nduja and local wine — Tropea's beauty is effortless and requires no itinerary.
Family
The beach below the old town is sandy, sheltered, and accessible by foot. The town itself is small enough to manage with children, and the Aeolian Islands make for an exciting day trip by boat.
Friends
Tropea's beach culture, street food scene, and proximity to day trips — the Aeolians, Capo Vaticano, Pizzo for tartufo gelato — make it an easy group base that doesn't demand a rigid plan.
- The cliff-top old town has sea views from three sides — the descent to the main beach through a cliff path takes under 10 minutes from the piazza.
- The Santa Maria dell'Isola church stands on a sea stack connected to the beach by a sand isthmus at low tide — the tide genuinely changes the access.
- The Cipolla Rossa di Tropea holds a DOP designation — it is sweet enough to be eaten raw, and the sagra in summer draws visitors from across Calabria.
- Lido di Tropea is wide, sandy, and shallow-entry — the beach is Blue Flag certified and extends well beyond the cliff section.
Cipolla rossa di Tropea in everything: raw in salads, fried in fritters, slow-cooked into jam.
'Nduja spread on crusty bread, the spicy spreadable sausage that burns and soothes at once.
Piula Cave Pool
Samoa
Crystal-clear freshwater fills a cave beneath a seminary — swim into darkness as sunlight shrinks behind.
Rottnest Island
Australia
Quokkas — the world's happiest-looking marsupials — pose for selfies on a car-free island off Perth.
Shimoda
Japan
Perry's black ships forced Japan open here; now it's white sand and sleepy surf.
Taketomi Island
Japan
Water buffalo pulling carts through coral-walled lanes on a turquoise atoll.
Altopiano del Renon
Italy
Earth pyramids stand like hooded sentinels above vineyards where German and Italian blur.
Taormina
Italy
A Greek theatre where Etna smoulders behind the stage, the sea glittering far below.
Alpe di Siusi
Italy
Europe's largest high-altitude meadow, wildflowers to the horizon beneath Dolomite spires.
Cinque Terre
Italy
Five villages clamped to sea cliffs, connected by footpaths through terraced vineyards above surf.