I Giardini del Caramante: Eco-Glamping in an Olive Grove on the Ionian Coast

Leave your car in your own parking spot. From your glamping tent, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to Baia di Soverato, where a spot on the beach right in the middle of the bay awaits you. Along the way, you’ll wander through one and a half hectares of wild orange groves and past a farming hamlet from the early 20th century that seems frozen in time.

This is I Giardini del Caramante: Calabria’s first eco-experiential Glamping site, where you can sleep close to nature without sacrificing the comfort of a nice room.

Calabria’s first eco-experiential Glamping site

I Giardini del Caramante opened its doors in late 2025. Just outside the center of Soverato, in an orchard with centuries-old olive trees, on land that belonged to Filippo’s great-grandfather. It’s neither a campground nor a hotel, but something in between: a Glamping village that has sustainability and experiential tourism in its DNA. The project won two public grants (from Invitalia and the Calabria Region) and was deliberately designed on a small-scale. Moreover, this is only the first phase: plans include a vineyard area, Yurts, a spa, and vegetable gardens. It is, therefore, a place that is still very much under development.

Eco-suites

You’ll stay in an eco-suite: six Glamping tents designed specifically for I Giardini del Caramante, each with a private bathroom with hot water, a lounge area on your patio, and a carefully curated interior. So no camp beds or shared washrooms here, but a real bed and all the amenities you’d expect from quality Glamping: comfortable, while respecting the natural surroundings. Your breakfast comes in a picnic basket, which you can enjoy on your own terrace. In short: camping for those who don’t really like camping.

Sustainability by Design

Sustainability isn’t found in a certification label, but in concrete choices that become apparent when you look closely: cotton curtains, wooden toilet seats and footrests, stone sinks, rock wool insulation, bamboo toilet paper, and soap that is 99.5% natural. Plastic and concrete are kept to a minimum—even the “recyclable” kind—and the tents have been placed in the garden with as little impact on the ground as possible. It’s a new place that’s still finding its footing (the vegetation needs time to grow), and it’s precisely this honest, thoughtful approach that aligns well with what we’re looking for: sleeping close to nature without harming it.

Within walking distance of both the sea and the city

The location is perhaps its greatest asset. You’re tucked away in the greenery, just outside the summer crowds, but only a four- to five-minute walk from the beaches of Soverato and the historic center. During peak season, this includes a reserved spot on the beach right in the middle of the bay, so you don’t have to hunt for a place by the sea. Plus: a private parking spot (handy, since you don’t need a car for city life or the beach) and one and a half hectares of wild orange groves to get lost in.

The 3E offerings: workshops, a whale-watching excursion, or just relaxing

Glamping here is all about the experience, summed up in three E’s: Explore, Experience, and Enjoy. Choose the activities that suit you best—from a cooking workshop to an aperitivo among the olive trees, and from a visit to nearby borghi to natural and archaeological sites. With or without a guide. You can also join an excursion with a research team specializing in cetaceans, learn about their research, and go whale-watching.

You also have a variety of accommodation options to choose from: bed and breakfast, half-board or full-board, exclusive events for small groups, and workshops. This way, you can set your own pace—whether you want an active or a more relaxed experience.

Things to Do in the Area

From the glamping site, you can quickly reach the heart of Soverato and the surprising inland region of the Costa degli Aranci: Greek and Roman archaeological sites, Byzantine churches, mountain monasteries, and waterfalls—all within about an hour’s drive.

You can find a complete overview of attractions, beaches, and day trips in our article about Soverato and the surrounding area.

How do you get there?

From Lamezia Terme Airport, the train takes about an hour to reach Soverato; by (rental) car, it’s also about an hour. Good news for eco-conscious travelers: since you can do just about everything on foot in Soverato, you can leave your car in the parking lot without a second thought—or even skip driving altogether.

Practical Information

• Accommodation: I Giardini del Caramante; Calabria’s first eco-experiential Glamping site; designer tents (eco-suites) in a centuries-old olive grove
• In the eco-suite: a real bed, mosquito net, hammock, private bathroom with shower and toilet, patio with a lounge area
• Accommodation options: bed & breakfast (picnic basket), half-board or full-board; exclusive events for small groups and workshops
• Opening period: April through October
• Experience: 3E catalog (Explore, Experience, Enjoy), featuring a cooking workshop, an aperitivo in the olive grove, and excursions to the borgo and into nature
• Location: in a green setting just outside Soverato Marina; about a 5-minute walk to Baia di Soverato and the town center
• Extras: reserved beach spot (high season), private parking space, one and a half hectares of wild orange grove
• Management: GBMS S.r.l., Soverato (CZ) – CIR 079137-VIT-00001 / CIN IT079137B2WMBOAHHY
• Best time to visit: May–June and September–October for nature and tranquility; July–August for the lively beach town
• Bookings: direct with I Giardini del Caramante through Nature Travel Lab

Frequently Asked Questions About I Giardini del Caramante

What exactly is I Giardini del Caramante?

It is Calabria’s first eco-experiential Glamping site: designer tents (eco-suites) in a centuries-old olive grove, within walking distance of Soverato. It combines the outdoor feel of camping with the comfort of a real room, and is furnished with natural materials and as little plastic and concrete as possible.

How far is the Glamping site from the beach and downtown?

Very close by: about a four- to five-minute walk to Baia di Soverato and the historic center. During peak season, a reserved spot on the beach right in the middle of the bay is also included.

What kinds of lodging and activities are available?

You can choose between bed and breakfast, half-board, or full-board. In addition, there is an activities catalog (the three E’s: Explore, Experience, Enjoy) that includes a cooking workshop, an aperitivo in the olive grove, and excursions to borghi and natural and archaeological sites.

Do I need a car?

Not for the coast or the city; you can do almost everything on foot, and you’ll have your own parking spot if you do come by car. For the inland areas (mountain villages, monasteries, waterfalls), a car is definitely handy.

How do I make a reservation?

You can book direct with I Giardini del Caramante on their own website through Nature Travel Lab.

Is it suitable for families?

Yes, it is specifically designed for both couples and families. For specific requests (such as traveling with pets or the capacity per tent), please check the details when booking.