Agriturismo in Parco Nazionale della Sila with Educational Farm

The Sila is a plateau in Calabria between the provinces of Cosenza, Catanzaro and Crotone, divided into Sila Grande, Sila Greca and Sila Piccola. There are forests of Calabrian pine and beech, and lakes such as Cecita, Arvo and Ampollino. The Sila National Park was created in 2002, and since 2014 the plateau has been part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The farm stays in the Sila listed on Agriturismi.it have rooms and a restaurant serving local food. Those inside the park are in Spezzano della Sila, the municipality of Camigliatello Silano. The list also includes farm stays in the surrounding area and on the Ionian coast, outside the park.

Camigliatello is reached on the SS107 Silana-Crotonese road.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE SILA: in Camigliatello Silano, part of Spezzano della Sila, near Lake Cecita and the Giants of the Sila; in Lorica, on Lake Arvo; in San Giovanni in Fiore, the largest town on the plateau.

WHAT TO SEE IN THE SILA: the Giants of the Sila at Croce di Magara, Calabrian pines about 350 years old and up to 45 metres tall; Lake Cecita and the Cupone Visitor Centre; the Florense Abbey in San Giovanni in Fiore, founded by Joachim of Fiore in 1189; the wolves and deer of the wildlife areas at Villaggio Mancuso, in the Sila Piccola; lakes Arvo and Ampollino.

FOOD AND WINE: Patata della Sila IGP potatoes, Caciocavallo Silano DOP and the DOP cured meats of Calabria, such as soppressata, sausage and capocollo. To drink, Terre di Cosenza wines.

THINGS TO DO: ski at Camigliatello, Lorica and Villaggio Palumbo; hike, mountain bike or ride a horse; canoe on the lakes; visit the Giants of the Sila with the FAI.