The British have always had a great interest in Italy and its culture. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, it was almost obligatory for members of the British upper and middle classes to take a trip through Europe, the so-called Grand Tour, and Italy was the main destination.

Several writers travelled south at the time, the most famous being Lord Byron, Mary and Percy Shelley and John Keats. Above all, the writer and painter Edward Lear fell in love with Italy, especially the south and Calabria, which at the time was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He published his travel notes in illustrated books. On the Sentiero dell'Inglese (English Path), you’ll follow in Edward Lear's footsteps and discover for yourself why the artist was so fascinated by this region.

While creating this Collection, I discovered many similarities between Edward Lear and myself, which makes the walk even more interesting for me. Like the author, I was born in the UK and am passionate about Italian culture, so much so that I moved here. In recent years I have been able to call Calabria my second home. So it was a real pleasure for me to get to know Edward Lear's story and follow the Sentiero dell'Inglese.

Edward Lear was born in Highgate, London, in 1812. He was the youngest of 21 children and had a difficult childhood because he suffered from epilepsy and asthma. He began to draw and wrote so-called nonsense poems and limericks for the Earl of Derby to entertain his children. At the age of 19, he began travelling around Europe and discovered his great passion for Italy. He settled there in San Remo until his death in 1888. He’s also known internationally for his nonsense poems, such as this one:

Once upon a time there was a man from
southern Swabia,
who danced quadrilla with a raven;
they completely disapproved
the absurd dance
and slew the man from
southern Swabia.
(Translated by Hans Magnus Enzensberger)

Calabria lies at the tip of the Italian boot, which is very sparsely populated and rich in nature. The region borders the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas and is comparatively mountainous for Italy, with the peculiarity that the mountains rise almost directly out of the sea. On this hike, you’ll become immersed in nature in the very south, crossing mountains, walking through Mediterranean forests, past old olive trees and peaceful villages. In addition to the beautiful landscape, Calabria is also known for its cuisine and fresh produce, which you can sample again and again along the route.

You’ll start in the village of Pentedattilo, which lies at the foot of Monte Calvario. On the edge of Aspromonte National Park, you’ll hike between the mountains and the sea to Staiti. This area is not well connected to public transport and getting here therefore requires planning. The most practical way to get here is by train, which runs between Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro Lido along the coast. From Melito di Porto Salvo station, it’s a 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) walk to Pentedattilo. From your destination in Staiti, you can walk a further 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to Brancaleone station.

I’ve divided the 100-kilometre (62 mi) route into six moderate stages. A total of around 4,107 metres (13,475 ft) of ascent awaits you. There’s a network of family-run accommodation along the way, which have joined forces and serve as landmarks along the route. I recommend booking in advance. The trail is well signposted, both with wooden signs and red and white markings.

Thanks to the mild climate, the route is accessible all year round. In autumn and winter, however, it can be difficult to cross the rivers if it has rained a lot. There are alternative routes in this case. You can find more information here: sentierodellinglese.wordpress.com (in Italian).