Agriturismo Calabria

Agritourism means almost becoming part of the farm, feeling the atmosphere of the Calabrian village, chatting with the villagers, buying products from the farm and thus supporting the small producers from whom the real food comes. Agritourism supports working farmers - those who grow their plants or animals with care and love. Agritourism can be guest rooms in the farmer's house, or a convenient place for a tent and caravan on a green meadow.

It can be lunch with products from the farm under the canopy, eating embers of corn or tasting fruit syrups. In all tempting variations, however, the food is produced in the village, and the room and table are arranged with dedication, which is less and less common in cities. Do you want to enjoy the agritourism in Calabria? Then take a look at our agriturismo Calabria offers and get ready for your next holiday!

The flora of Calabria

The proximity of the sea and mountains gave birth to the unique flora of Calabria. Although the vegetation communities of the coastal areas are somewhat similar to those in Lazio and Campagna, they are very different from the Sicilian ones. In the national parks of Sila and Aspromonte, species that have practically disappeared in Europe have survived.

The Calabrian pine(Pinus nigra calabrius) is found on the shores of the artificial lakes Arvo and Ampollino, and the endemic Sila pine grows on the slopes of Sila. Citrus plants are the main crop. But Calabria is glorious not with oranges and lemons. It is the only place in Europe where citrons(Cedro) are grown.

Chedro, or citron, is a small, spreading tree 140-150cm high. Unlike other citrus fruits, the branches are covered with large sharp thorns. The odor emitted by plants is so strong that it is discernible at a sufficient distance from the plantations. Despite all the efforts of gardeners, the yield of citrons is low. Exotic fruits are harvested in the month of November: by this time they reach the required size and the required degree of maturity. Interestingly, the pulp of citrons is of no interest, the benefit takes up no more than 25% of the total weight of the fruit. But the thick, thick peel is literally worth its weight in gold.

Previously, citron was used mainly in the textile, confectionery and perfumery industries, now its scope has expanded significantly. Chedro, justifying its Latin name Citrus medico, is widely used in medicine and pharmacology. Calabrians sincerely consider it a panacea for all diseases. In culinary and confectionery, citron has been known since time immemorial. In the south of Italy, any housewife carefully keeps recipes for pies or jams left by great-grandmothers. The essence of citron is even added to the local pasta, which gives the pasta its characteristic green color. In Calabria, no real meal ends until a chilled bottle of Cedro or Limoncello is served. And the real "Cedro" is made only in Tyrrhenian Calabria.

Animal world

The Calabrian fauna is extremely diverse. in the dense forests of the Force, the Apennine wolf is still found. This rare animal, listed in the Red Book, has survived only on the territory of Calabria, but even here its number barely exceeds 100 specimens. The wolf hunts fallow deer and roe deer. The first ones were brought to the protected forests of the region to maintain the dying wolf population, and roe deer were found in these places from time immemorial. Other mammal species worth mentioning are the badger, marten, lynx, hare, fox and many small rodents. The number of squirrels and wild boars is so great that hunting is allowed. The rapid development of tourism has pushed wild animals into remote mountainous areas. Now only occasionally the silence of the night is broken by the howl of a wolf or the hooting of an owl.

Many birds nest in the forests and along the coast. There are significantly more of them in Calabria than mammals. Eagles, owls, woodpeckers, quails, jays live here. In the favorable climate of the region, representatives of various species of reptiles and amphibians feel good. Poisonous snakes in Calabria are few and far between, and they avoid human encounters.

Activities

Many ecotourists come to Calabria because of the natural richness of the national parks. The largest nature reserve in the region, Pollino, located in the province of Cosenza, has been reliably protected by UNESCO since 2015. The multi-level wilderness area is a favorite spot for trekking and camping, mountaineering, cave walks and mountain biking. The most courageous ones can be rafted along the Lao River, which flows between the canyon and the gorges of the park. The largest national park is also suitable for leisurely walks, during which you can observe birds of prey, wild animals and a wide variety of flowers and plants.

To observe the natural habitat of animals, you can go to the province of Reggio Calabria, where the Aspromonte protected area extends. Pristine green foliage, picturesque waterfalls and a variety of inhabitants - doe, roe deer, foxes, birds of prey can be found quietly walking - make this place ideal for wildlife photographers. You can also improve your health in the park: there is a thermal center on its territory with access to mineral and sulfur springs.

In the province of Crotone, the Sila National Park, famous for its rich and varied flora, is open to tourists all year round. Almost 80 percent of the park's territory is covered with dense beech and pine forests, which contrast with grasses, flower meadows and shrubs. The reserve also houses the Adventure Park, where you can diversify group and family holidays: experienced guides organize excursions in the area and orienteering, and thrill-seekers can try their hand at the rope park.

Calabria is rich not only in forests and mountains: thanks to the natural diversity of the region, lovers of sea recreation and underwater sports will also find something to their liking. In the province of Crotone, for example, you can book an underwater excursion and make friends with the marine life of the coastal areas. Water sports enthusiasts will love the province of Catanzaro, where even beginners can scuba dive, windsurf and water ski, or remember their childhood and ride a banana boat. And katesurfing - a sport in which a surfer holds a kite in his hand - can be done on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, nicknamed "Coast of the Gods''.

Finally, Calabria is renowned for its large selection of resorts and spacious, attractive beaches. For white sand and clear sea water, you should go to small bays near the beautiful Cape Vaticano or to the beaches of Tropea, where, in addition to a quality beach holiday, you can enjoy views of the wide sea from cozy terraces.

Climate

On the territory of Calabria, it is customary to distinguish three main climatic zones: Tyrrhenian sea, Ionian sea and mountain. The first is characterized by hot summers, moderate cold winters and little rainfall. There are more hot summer days in the Ionian zone than in the Tyrrhenian, so many tourists prefer to spend their holidays here. The climate in the mountainous area is reminiscent of the Alpine one. Snow often falls in winter, which attracts winter sports enthusiasts to Calabria. In summer, the average air temperature is much lower than on the coast.

There are more cloudless days in Calabria than the national average. The annual precipitation rate ranges from 600 to 800 mm, even in the mountains it does not exceed 1000mm. In the mountains of Calabria, there are numerous places for winter and summer recreation and tourism, comfortable and modern: Camiglatello in Great Sile in the province of Cosenza, numerous small villages a stone's throw from the lakes in Lesser Sile in the province of Catanzaro, as well as villages located on the Serre massif between Chiaravalle, Serra San Bruno(where the oldest monastery is located) and Polia.

The sea area of ​​Calabria is characterized by hot summers, mild winters and little rainfall. The climate in the mountainous zone is very close to that of the Alpine: the average air temperature in summer is much lower than on the coast, and a lot of snow falls in winter.