Basilicata, land of hidden treasures

Food and culture

The “Sassi” of Matera, the wine cellars and the cooking class in a noble palace of XIV.

DAY 1 – Matera, the town of caves
Arrival at Bari airport and private transfer to Matera, the town of Sassi, old districts whose houses are mostly carved into the sandstone.
Sassi area – a UNESCO world heritage site since 1993 – with its small streets and squares, caves, rock churches and cellars, European Capital of Culture 2019.
Accomodation in a charming cave hotel or in a ancient palace and private dinner in a grotto restaurant.
Overnight stay. B, D


Day 2: Venosa, homeland of the famous red wine Alianico
Nunc est bibemdum (Now it is time to drink).
The Latin poet Horace was born in Venosa, in the mountains of volcanic origin in the north of Basilicata, an area famous for the production of the red wine Alianico.
In Venosa we visit the roman ruins of the Archeologic Park and the marvellous church of Trinity, Pantheon of Norman Knights.
For lunch, we move to a wine cellar of the XVII century dug out in a vulcan cave.
In the late afternoon, back to Matera. Dinner on your own. B, L

Day 3 – The Calanchi trail: a trip to the enchanting moonscape in the more undiscovered Basilicata. At dinner by the Count.
The “Calanchi” characterize the rough landscape of south-eastern Basilicata a wind inside area of the region where it is possible to notice parallel of fan-shaped furrows, created by surface water erosion on clayey slopes, called “calanchi” and perfectly described in Christ stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi.
You will stop in the abandoned village of Craco, known as “the ghost town” as it was abandoned for a landslide.
On the way back, not to be missed the Crypt of Original Sin, the oldest rock church of the area, dating back to VIII century.
In the afternoon, a cooking class in a palace of the XIV century will experience us the traditional courses of the area.
Private dinner.B, D

Day 4 – farwell
Breakfast and transfer to Bari Airport. End of services. B