The Sila is a vast mountain plateau in the heart of Calabria, covered in dense pine and beech forests that feel more like Scandinavia than southern Italy. Three artificial lakes -- Arvo, Ampollino, and Cecita -- sit among the trees, popular for picnics and gentle walks.
In winter there is modest skiing at Camigliatello Silano and Lorica. In autumn the forests produce wild mushrooms celebrated at local festivals. Year-round, the Sila offers a cool escape from the coastal heat and a landscape completely different from the rest of the region.