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Basilicata for Connoisseurs
The name Basilicata perhaps comes from basileus: earth of kings. This is the region of the South that unifies in its territory the last layers of the Appennino with the Ionio and Tyrrhenian Seas. It was also known by the name of Lucania from its ancient inhabitants. The colonies of the Magna Graecia were founded on its banks. Two of the most beautiful castles were built by Frederick II on the hills, among the forests of Basilicata.
An extraordinary landscape is offered by the Sassi di Matera, a district built of small houses in the hills surrounding Matera, and under the protection of Unesco. It is a place where you can lose yourself, following the light, admiring the dramatic structures carved into the calcareous stone, or gazing at the magnificent frescos immortalized by the Byzantine in ancient crypts. Nature is an essential part of the landscape; in less than 11.000 square kilometers there are the peaks of the Pollino’s Park, valleys, oak woods, pine trees, olive trees, orchards and calanchi (the deeply carved limestone valley). To the North, the volcanic complex of the Vulture is filled with the good nectar of its generous grapevines - the alluring perfume of Aglianico.
The stories of ancient oriental civilizations, of waves of conquerors, of rebellious barons and of brigands interweave with the extraordinary tastes of a simple local cuisine based on the use of good and fresh products. Wheat, olive trees, grapes, fruits, vegetables and wide pastures of aromatic essences are the protagonists of a simple, but not insignificant gastronomy. Bread, pasta, peppers, extra virgin olive oil, caciocavallo and fresh cheeses are offered daily to delight the palate of even the most discriminating gourmet.
Highlights
- Aglianico del Vulture Doc - On the slopes of the extinct volcano known as Monte Vulture grows a robust, deeply colored wine whose wonderful vintage becomes increasingly refined and complex in flavor through the years. It is considered one of the oenological pearls of the Southern Italy.
- Sassi di Matera - This is a thick texture, like a weft of houses, which extends for approximately forty hectares. It is literally perched on the edge of a deep ravine of the Gravina River. With its ancient dwellings carved into the limestone rock, it is divided into two districts, the Sassi Baresano and the Sassi Caveoso. They are embellished with crypts, churches, buildings, lanes and stairways.
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Suggested Regional Programs
Our suggested regional programs include the traditional, cultural and artistic sites but also much more as, we think, it is important to emphasize one of the distinguishing characteristics that makes Italy well-known through out the world: its food and wine. In every region we have carefully selected local companies and producers where the most distinguished Italian specialties are made, as well as restaurants where our guests will have the opportunity to experience and taste the very best of Italian cuisine specific to each region. These regional discoveries are presented mostly as customized individual discoveries available in a variety of service levels, from self drive itineraries to chauffer driven tours, but we have also prepared some escorted programs in selected areas. The following is only a short list of suggested programs. A lot more is possible, just ask us to prepare the program of your choice with the locations you desire.
Independent Programs
Grand Tour of the Basilicata (5 days)
Start in Melfi, the city of Emperor Frederick II where his formidable castle still stands, and travel along the Vulture, where the Aglianico grape is made into an excellent unique wine and finsih the day strolling in Venosa, the town of Horace full of Roman archaeological remains. As you travel you will witness the signs of different civilizations and be able to taste the excellent quality of the local products, especially the pecorino cheese. In Matera you will spend the entire day visiting the famous Sassi, perched on the edge of a deep ravine where people once lived in dwellings scooped out of the limestone rock. The outskirts of Matera reserve for us many treasures: Montescaglioso hosts a magnificent Benedictine abbey, Miglionico is overshadowed by the austere castle of the Malconsiglio and Ferrandina discloses, through the care of a few olive presses, the organoletticis secrets of the Majatica olive. The Ionic Sea beckons us with its coast recalling the splendor of its ancient Greek colonies, while driving up the crest between the Agri and Sinni River, in a landscape dominated by the calanchi, arises the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Anglona. The itinerary is highly customizable and expandable both as a self-drive or chauffeur-driven program!
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