Sustainable travel in Calabria: 3 green experiences

Are you looking for an eco‑friendly vacation that lets you discover new places while minimizing your environmental impact? Calabria awaits you, ready to show you all the opportunities to experience it in a sustainable and glocal way.

Here are three truly green experiences to explore the region responsibly and in contact with nature.

You may not know it, but the forest can be therapeutic. It's called Shinrin Yoku, which means “forest bathing”, and it's a Japanese practice according to which contact with nature and connection with plants produce psychological and physical well-being. You can experience it in the Archiforo Forest in Serra San Bruno, listed among the 40 destinations in the world where you can experience “forest bathing” according to Japanese doctor Quing Li, an immunologist and one of the world's leading experts in “forest medicine” who has been studying Shinrin Yoku and its health benefits for thirty years. 

The Archiforo Forest in Serra San Bruno, within the Serre Regional Park, is one of the largest and best-preserved forest ecosystems in the region, with white fir trees covered in velvety soft moss, clear, fresh water springs, and imposing beech trees. The hiking trail is four kilometers long, with an elevation gain of about 220 meters, and takes two hours to complete. Here begins your deep connection with unspoiled nature, listening to the sounds of the forest, breathing in the scents and essential oils released by the trees, and letting yourself be warmed by the sun's rays filtering through the branches. Forest bathing will immediately give you positive feelings: your heart rate slows down, your blood pressure decreases, your thoughts become positive, and your facial features relax. A unique experience that you can combine with a hike along the forest trails and a visit to the Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno, a place of peace and spirituality. 

Never go on vacation without your bike? Calabria is home to the Calabria Parks Cycle Route, an incredible route for nature and sports lovers, which crosses three National Parks and one Regional Park, as well as numerous Reserves and Protected Areas along the way, offering ever-changing views. A full 545 kilometers of bike paths that pass through villages and ancient towns, offering breathtaking views overlooking the sea and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the mountains and valleys. A journey that offers the opportunity to enter the heart of Calabria and get to know its authentic soul. 

The Park Cycle Route crosses the region of Calabria longitudinally along the Apennine ridge between Aspromonte, Sila, Pollino, and Serre. You can plan an itinerary that includes stops in the most charming villages to discover their places of worship, artistic and architectural treasures, and typical local cuisine. You can choose to rent a bicycle - traditional or electric - at tourist centers that offer this service.

If you are looking for a vacation that connects you with nature, Calabria offers a unique green experience: sleeping in a wooden tree house, just like the one all children dream of. These are accommodations equipped with every comfort, including a small kitchenette and a terrace where you can enjoy breakfast among the tree branches. A small spiral staircase leads you into a cozy nest, where you feel suspended in time and space. You fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature, the leaves rustling, the last chirps of the birds before nightfall. And you wake up with the sun filtering through the branches, in an atmosphere that is romantic and relaxing for adults and magical for children. 

In Calabria, you have several options for enjoying this experience. You will easily find the one that best suits your needs or is closest to your destination, both in the province of Cosenza and in the province of Catanzaro. The wooden tree houses are meticulously designed and have everything you need, from Wi-Fi to air conditioning, comfortable showers, and minimalist but cozy furnishings, with double beds and bunk beds for the little ones. In the morning, a hearty breakfast of homemade cakes and biscuits will give you the energy you need to explore the surrounding nature or set off to discover the neighboring villages or towns.