Location
The GAIA International Festival will take place along the Southern Italian Tyrrhenian coast from Maratea in Basilicata south to Amantea and Aiello Calabro in Calabria. This is about a 100-kilometer stretch of seaside towns and medieval mountain villages.
The area offers a wide variety of accommodations and we are working with several of our sponsors to provide affordable lodging packages.
In line with the ecological theme of this event we are recommending that attendees plan a stay in one of the beautiful Agriturismos in the area or in one of the historic hotels.
Agriturismos
Agriturismos are agricultural centers/farms typically immersed in olive groves sloping down towards the sea or tucked into a mountain valley.
They include comfortable lodgings and restaurants offering a delicious selection of locally-produced foods. On this page you will find links to the various websites of some of the lodgings providing support to the GAIA International Festival. Take some time to look around and if you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
There will also be the opportunity for tent camping and campers in various locations along the coast. People are also opening up their private homes to host participants, with priority being given to presenters and artists that contribute to the GAIA International Festival.
Travel/Logistics
The GAIA Festival week will take place along the coast and in the mountains stretching from Maratea in Basilicata to Amantea 100 kilometers further south in Calabria. Some of the other towns included will be Verbicaro, San Lucido, Tortora, Buonvicino, San Nicola, Diamante, Praia A Mare, Guardia Piemontese, Cetraro, and others. There will be some areas that have fixed sites with fixed events throughout the week. As the festival stretches 100 kilometers, it is important to note that there are trains and buses that regularly travel up and down the coast and that the region is helping us to coordinate transportation for this event.
We have met with all of the local governments to get their cooperation and sponsorship, and the event is growing consistently as we go along. There are about 15 agriturismos (farms with restaurants and lodgings) in the area and many hotels, bed and breakfasts, etc. We are working with the owners of several of these establishments to offer lodging packages for the week. There will also be ample camping space. It is our intention to offer room and board free of charge to as many presenters, musicians, artists, and film/video makers that participate in this event as possible.
Travel to this area can be done by plane to Rome/Naples or Lamezia Terme in Calabria -- all have international hubs, but Rome and Naples are obviously larger. Then there are trains and buses that regularly connect to this coastal area. Maratea/Praja-Aieta-Tortora/ Scalea/Diamante/Belvedere/Cetraro/Guardia Piedmontese/San Lucido/Amantea are some of the train stations along the coast. We are planning a schedule that allows people to enjoy the area in a stress-free way – one or two event periods during the day from 10:30 - 13:00 and from 15:30 - 18:00. Along with the forums, discussions, book presentations and workshops, there will be hikes in the mountains, demonstrations of traditional food production, tours of organic farms, concerts, shows, film screenings, live art, etc. The evening festivities will start at 19:30/20:00 and finish officially at 23:30 giving people time to return to their lodgings up and down the coast.
Getting here
Travel to this area can be done by plane to Rome/Naples or Lamezia Terme in Calabria -- all have international hubs, but Rome and Naples are larger. Then there are trains and buses that regularly connect to this coastal area.
Maratea, Praja-Aieta-Tortora, Scalea, Diamante, Belvedere, Cetraro, Guardia Piemontese, San Lucido, Paola, and Amantea are some of the train stations along the coast.
Aereoporto di Lamezia Terme
Aeroporto di Roma
Aeroporto di Napoli
