Discover Northern Calabria Fishing Traditions with Vera Italia

It was the summer of 2023, Gabriele was so young and despite his young age, I was so inspired by his profound humility and eagerness to work alongside his papà with a true desire to support him and ensure a job well-done for the family trade…I didn’t know the half of it! 

The second time I met Daniele was as “Zio Daniele” — you’ll remember our Vera Italia vision-maker and videographer, Manuel? Turns out, Daniele is also his uncle! And so, “Daniele” affectionately became known as “Zio Daniele”.

So, Zio Daniele, I learned, besides from his fantastic boat tours, he also carries forth the very admirable family trade of being a fisherman! This trade has been passed down from his Nonni (grandparents) and continues together with his brother Pierluigi and…Gabriele! The trio proudly and lovingly set-out to sea to soak in the breeze and spectacular surroundings to then roll-up their sleeves to bring in the nets and see what the day’s catch will bring. 

To tell the truth, Daniele is probably one of my biggest inspirations. From day one he has instilled me with such positivity, strength and encouragement that has truly motivated me to keep going. 

I’ve been blessed to share quite a few impactful moments with Daniele where I saw what a beautiful and wholehearted individual he is as he shared with me some of the difficult realities many face when they choose to pursue these noble yet humble trades. I have repeated them so many times because they convey just how important it is that we as travellers and visitors truly invest in the local economies and what a difference we can make! 

“You know Chiara,” he said, “if it wasn’t for Vera Italia, I probably would have given up fishing in a year or two, but this gives me a bit more motivation and hope for the future.” Can you imagine? All those precious memories, stories and know-how passed down from generations, stopped, gone, lost, finished. 

About a month later, we embarked on one of the most unique experiences…fishing tourism! It was amazing! Picture yourself, out to sea with professional fishermen who are reeling in the catch of the day and then drifting back into shore to enjoy a lunch prepared with the fresh fish caught before your eyes…it’s pretty spectacular! As Daniele and I were debriefing after the experience, he said, “you know Chiara, if we were to come out here today and live off what we caught, it wouldn’t have made a huge difference in supporting the family, but it’s things like this that really help us to keep going.” 

Ladies and gentlemen, if that isn’t inspiration enough for someone like me to keep pursuing this little dream of mine that I like to call “Vera Italia” that supports locals to keep these trades and traditions alive, I’m not sure what is! This is why I’m truly grateful to Daniele and why he is truly one of my biggest inspirations and motivations; when the experience bookings aren’t coming through, when I’m giving it my all to sing from the mountain tops with the stories of all of our beautiful Culture Creators but it feels like no one is listening, and in the moments when I feel a little lost at sea. 

You see dear friend, while I will be the first to cheer you on and encourage you to chase that little dream of yours. And while I pray my tales leave you with a glimmer of hope, an oomph of inspiration and the courage to take it on. I won’t hide from you that there will be challenges and hardship but it’s moments like these, it’s these little messengers sent from God, it’s the prayers answered and the glimmers of hope that take life-form in people and moments, like these with Daniele, that will push you along and remind you — let’s do this!