Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
La Sila's main town,
San Giovanni in Fiore
(1049m), is named after the founder of its beau-
tiful medieval
abbey
. The town has an attractive old centre, once you've battled through
the suffocating suburbs, and is famous for its Armenian-style handloomed carpets and
tapestry. You can visit the studio and shop of
Domenico Caruso
(
0984 99 27 24;
www.scuolatappeti.it
)
, but ring ahead.
A popular ski-resort town with 6km of slopes,
Camigliatello Silano
(1272m) looks much
better under snow. A few lifts operate on Monte Curcio, about 3km to the south. Around
5.5km of slopes and a 1500m lift can be found near
Lorica
(1370m), on gloriously pretty
Lago Arvo - the best place to camp in summer.
Scigliano
(620m), in Sila Piccola, is a small hilltop town and has a superb B&B.
Valli
sale
(739m) in the southeast, where there are myriad waterfalls and the dramatic Canyon
Valli Cupe. Trips cost only €8 per person per day (Valli Cupe also runs horseriding tours).
Specialising in botany, the guides (who speak Italian and French) also visit remote monas-
teries and churches. Stay in its rustic accommodation in the town.
Sleeping
B&B Calabria
( 349 8781894;
www.bedandbreakfastcalabria.it
;
Via Roma 9, Frazione Diano; s/d/t/q €35/60/75/80;
Apr-Nov)
In the mountains, this B&B has five comfortable rooms, all with separate en-
trances. Raffaele is a great source of information on the region and can recommend places
to eat, visit and go hiking. Rooms have character and clean modern lines and there's a
wonderful terrace overlooking endless forested vistas. Mountain bikes available.
B&B
$
Hotel Aquila & Edelweiss
( 0984 57 80 44;
www.hotelaquilaedelweiss.com
;
Viale Stazione 15, Camigliatello Silano; s €60-80, d
€90-120; )
This three-star hotel in Camigliatello Silano has a stark and anonymous
exterior but it's in a good location and the rooms are cosy and comfortable.
HOTEL
$
Valli Cupe
B&B
$
