La Terrazza is located on the shore of the Ionian Sea overlooking the Gulf of Squillace in the village of Santa Caterina Ionio Marina.
Santa Caterina Ionio marina is bordered by eight kilometers of sandy beaches and crystal clear water while the antiquated Santa Caterina Ionio superior is located approximately 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by olive plantations and vineyards. The inhabitants of Santa Caterina Ionio reflect the warm and friendly Mediterranean hospitality. People are polite and are used to welcoming visitors from all over the world on a year-round basis, especially during the summer time.
The village provides all the necessary facilities and services for modern-day living. It has a bank, grocery stores, supermarkets, two gas stations, several restaurants, bars, medical clinics, dental clinics, legal and notarial services, two schools, five churches, many different stores, and a train and bus service that provides direct transportation to the airport, to Rome, and to other major Italian cities.
Located close to Santa Caterina Ionio, just 12 kilometers away, is the city of Soverato, which is well known as the "Pearl of the Ionian Sea"; it is a very popular summer vacation site and has 50,000 residents. Soverato offers all the facilities of a medium-sized city. The region's capital, Catanzaro, is 40 kilometers away from Santa Caterina and has a population of 150,000 residents.
The international airport of Lamezia Terme (SUF) is located 50 kilometers away from Santa Caterina. The traditions of Calabria are kept alive in S. Caterina. Over time, the overwhelming old-world values of a simple rural community have become an indelible part of it. After all, the history of the Calabria region is nothing but remarkable.
The quality of the sea facing Santa Caterina Ionio is well documented by the Italian Ministry of Health and Santa Caterina Ionio aND has one of the most renowned diving sites in Italy.
Over two thousands years ago, a sophisticated Greek civilization discovered Calabria as a respite for the overpopulated cities of Ancient Greece. For many centuries, it was known as Magna Grecia (Great Greece). S. Caterina offers new and exciting opportunities for escaping from urban overpopulation and pollution. Geographically, Calabria is distinct, due to its peripheral and almost isolated location when compared with the rest of Italy and Europe. Its central location in the Mediterranean Sea enables guests to reach Calabria by plane in a few hours from virtually any location within and outside the European Union (EU).
Calabria is also well served by a network of highways and trains.
A wealth of splendid scenery lies along the littoral which, includes the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.This stretches for nearly 800 km and is characterized by a tremendous panorama that rages from delightful rocky coves (especially on the Tyrrhenian) to vast beaches on a clear sparkling sea. The magnificent inland area is dotted with tiny picturesque villages hugging the hills that slope down to the water, with colorful and typically Mediterranean citrus plantations and olive groves. As for the coasts, Calabria presents some of the most renowned diving sites in Italy; one of these sites is located in the sea facing Santa Caterina Ionio.
Climate The climate is one of the major strengths of the region with a yearly average temperature of 22.34 C. In the coastal zones, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers; towards the interior, it becomes progressively continental, particularly on the high mountains. Precipitation is plentiful, especially at an altitude, on the Tyrrhenian flanks, but is scantier on low-lying ground and on coastal summits.