Climate
Sunny Climate and Natural Beauty
In Calabria, we don't experience the traditional 4 seasons but rather 3. The brief spring extends from early April to late May, with occasional refreshing showers and temperatures ranging between 20 and 25 degrees. Summer, from early June to late September (25 to 32 degrees), brings heat pulses, occasionally rising to 35 degrees in July and August. October presents itself as an Indian summer month, followed by November as a transition to the so-called winter. From early December to late March, we may experience autumnal moments, sometimes with brisk winds and moderate rain. During this 'winter,' temperatures average between 10 and 15 degrees. It can occasionally be cooler, but generally, daytime temperatures range from 13 to 18 degrees.
What's characteristic is that autumnal weather here lasts at most 1 to 3 days. Then, the sun shines brightly again. Only 1 or 2 times a year do we have a period of about 10 days with continuous rain. Freezing is unheard of, and if a few snowflakes fall (about once every 25 years), it means a day off from work and school.
The nature here is pure and untouched. While Calabria may lack the financial means for extensive development, it is rich in unspoiled beauty. Along the coast, you'll find rugged rock formations, and further inland stretches the Sila National Nature Park, with impressive hills and vast forests where wild horses sometimes roam freely. Here, you can wander for hours without encountering anyone. Isn't that delightful?
These conditions are ideal for us, but they can be challenging for Calabria's agricultural sector. When there's little rain, it affects the growth of vegetables and fruits. In summer, water is sprayed from the Sila mountains (rainwater), distributed across Calabria through a pipeline. As there isn't always enough water available, only the most essential land is irrigated. The rest of the landscape remains untouched, so tourists often see a yellow and parched landscape in summer. Some summers experience a water shortage, causing problems for the local population. At times, there's no water during the day, only a small stream at night.
Having learned from past lessons, at Casa Bahati, we've ensured a large water reservoir. This means our guests and we won't face water shortages. However, this may mean that during some summers, we can't set up and fill the large children's pool on the terrace.
Enjoy a Sunny Winter Stay
This region is perfect for winter visitors looking to escape the gray autumn and cold winter months that start as early as September in the Netherlands and Northern Europe and last until May. By Dutch standards, winter doesn't really exist here on the coast; it never freezes, and there's at most a brief period of about a month that resembles autumn. Nevertheless, the sun shines considerably more here than in the Netherlands/Northern Europe, and temperatures are significantly higher. This makes the Calabria region appealing for winter visitors, especially those who struggle with the gloomy autumn and cold winter period.
Does this mean Calabria lacks winter scenes? Not at all. In the high mountains of the Sila National Nature Park, about 1 hour's drive from Casa Bahati, places like Camigliatello and Villaggio Palumbo (near Lago Ampulino) have plenty of snow, offering opportunities for skiing, sledding, and cross-country skiing. If it gets a bit cooler at Casa Bahati, especially after sunset, we provide a gas heater. The gas consumption (cylinder) is the renter's responsibility. If you rent Villa Janina, there's a fireplace and air conditioning available. The costs for wood (depending on the stock) and/or the additional costs for normal electricity consumption are then borne by the winter visitors.
Although rental prices are listed on this site, negotiations are possible for the winter period. This means that the listed price applies for the first month, but there's an increasing discount for the following months.
