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Italy's Hidden Gems Travel Blog

Basilicata

Basilicata is truly a standout in the southern Italian landscape. It’s a region that breaks away from the typical Italian tourist trails, offering an experience that feels authentic and genuine. It’s a part of Italy that’s still raw and unspoiled, and the pace of life is refreshingly slow.

Starting with Matera, the city of stones, it’s a place that truly transports you, making you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet, if not back in time. The Sassi, those ancient cave dwellings, are like living pieces of history, now transformed into cozy hotels and eateries that seamlessly blend the ancient and modern, creating a magical atmosphere.

And when it comes to the food, Matera doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find hearty, soulful Italian comfort cuisine, from the local Lucanica sausage to the unique Peperone Crusco – simple dishes that burst with flavor.

But Basilicata isn’t just about Matera. It’s about hidden mountain villages like Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, where you can fly between peaks on the “Flight of the Angel” zip line, a thrill-seeker’s dream. It’s about the untamed beauty of the Pollino National Park, a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

sasso caveoso matera italy

Best Cave Hotels in Matera

By Renata Coti
Posted in Basilicata, Accommodation in Puglia
Ditch the Glitz and embrace the Grit in style! Forget the cookie-cutter luxury of five-star chains. In Matera’s historic Sassi district, you’re in for a unique treat—an immersive stay in a genuine cave dwelling. But with so many cave hotels to choose from, how do you pick the best one for you? I’m here to…
discovering matera an insiders look at italys city of sassi

Discovering Matera: An Insider’s Look at Italy’s city of sassi

By Renata Coti
Posted in Basilicata
I was initially apprehensive about my first visit to Matera. After all, Matera wasn’t exactly a popular vacation spot in the not-so-distant past. But since being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, a European Capital of Culture in 2019 and serving as the filming location for the 2021 James Bond film No…

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  • BASILICATA
  • PUGLIA
    • BARI
    • GARGANO
    • SALENTO
    • VALLE D’ITRIA
  • FOODIE CORNER
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT