As my family and I settle in for an aperitivo in Chianalea, an ancient fishing village, now district, in the town of Scilla, we can’t help but notice newlyweds floating. We sip our lemon sodas and bergamot spritzes (the Aperol spritz’s cooler, boho cousin). The two are holding hands and beaming at each other while navigating the narrow cobblestone street, the bride in a flowing chiffon and lace-trimmed gown.

After a day in this part of Southern Italy’s dreamy Calabria region, this is just our first taste of Scilla’s true romance. Dating back to the fifth century, the quaint coastal town was spotlighted by actor Stanley Tucci in his TV series “Searching for Italy,” where it first caught my attention. It’s like a mini-Venice, complete with canals, but without the hordes of tourists, Northern ’tude and inflated prices.