“Discover Basilicata” Tour
May 19-26, 2023
Sitting on the instep of Italy’s boot, and embedded between Calabria and Puglia, Basilicata is one of Italy’s lesser known regions. One does not stumble across this region accidentally but chooses to visit in search of a new experience, plunging into places where silence, colors, scents, and flavors remove the visitor from the frenzy and stress of modern life and offers unique sensations.
Basilicata’s dramatic history is infused with the influences of Greek, French, Spanish and Arabian invaders who left their footprint on the Byzantine rock churches, fortified towns and medieval castles, and which today continues to influence the colorful festivals, traditions, and exquisite cuisine. And it is here that the most authentic Italy can be found.
To discover this real side of Italy, we’ll take you on excursions to visit the tiny villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, that seem to be clinging to the rocky cliffside, and the almost abandoned town of Rabatana. We’ll also spend a day in Matera (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and see its stunning Paleolithic settlements, the “Sassi” – a collection of cave-like homes carved out of the rocky hills that date back over 9,000 years. You’ll walk the streets that were used as a backdrop in Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ” and the recent James Bond movie “No Time to Die”.
Haven’t heard of these towns and places in Italy? That’s because they remain “untouched” – reminiscent of the unspoiled and genuine Italy, evoking an appreciation for the country’s least-exploited destination. It’s in these sites that you will discover the true Southern Italy and these lesser-known locations with which will ensure you experience these regions at their most authentic.
This tour has been designed especially to immerse you in the local culture. Every day you’ll explore a unique area of Basilicata and discover its incredible beauty: architecture, sacred sites, characteristic historic towns, food and wine, and most importantly, its locals.
Our “Discover Basilicata” Tour is a fully-escorted tour with all of your accommodations, excursions & tours, meals, transportation and airport transfers completely arranged and included. Yet you’ll have plenty of free time to relax and explore on your own and enjoy the unique native lifestyle.
This will be a journey of exploration of interesting and historical villages, art, culture and tradition, combined with incredible foods and wine, and above all, the genuine, authentic atmosphere.
Tour Highlights
- 7 Nights in Basilicata in a quaint agriturismo set amongst olive & orange groves
- Private guided walking tour of Matera
- Visit several "ghost towns"
- Indulge in several sommelier guided wine tastings
- Enjoy an evening with local folk musicians & dancers
- Watch local artisan demonstrations
- Shop at local markets
- Discover the unique village of Alberobello
- Learn to make pasta and mozzarella in hands-on cooking lessons
- Visit an artisan bread baker and learn about the traditional Lucana bread
- Explore small villages and intimate locations not often visited.
- Learn about the regional cuisine and local specialty dishes.
Day 1 - Arrival Day/ Benvenuto!
Welcome to Southern Italy! After arriving to the Bari airport, the group will be met by our private driver for the week and transfer us to our lodgings.
Your accommodations for the next seven nights is in a typical local agriturismo (farmhouse), situated about 5 miles from Matera (Basilicata) in a nature reserve that is full of wildlife and greenery.
Each room has access to a large terrace where you can enjoy spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding area or perfect to sit outside with a glass of wine!
All of the food served at meals at our agriturismo is locally produced, organic, and typical of this region of Southern Italy. The farm grows a range of delicious fresh produce including, olives, eggplant, oranges, cherries, watermelons and much, much more. In addition, there are also many donkeys, sheep, chickens, cats and dogs that live at the farm.
During your free time you can take a stroll through the woods, borrow one of the bikes or even spend some time bird watching. Enjoy a welcome aperitivo and then the rest of the afternoon & evening is yours to explore or relax until our group Welcome Dinner. (A, D)
Day 2 - Matera: The Town of Stone
After breakfast at our agriturismo, we'll head off to Matera. Matera, "The town of Stone" became the first site in the world declared a "cultural landscape" by UNESCO World Heritage. This unique town, built into a hillside where caves and houses merge together, is a place where great directors of cinema have set their films due to its penetrating and evocative atmosphere. Enjoy a private guided walking tour, see what a sassi home used to look like, and visit some of the rupestrian churches. After lunch we'll visit an artisan bread maker for a hands-on lesson to learn how to make the traditional Lucana bread.
Dinner tonight at our agriturismo with local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Matera Cooking Lesson & Pasta Workshop
Today we'll enjoy a cooking lesson and a pasta workshop. This hands-on lesson offers you the chance to learn how to make the various types of fresh pasta that define Southern Italian cuisine. You'll learn all the various techniques that go into making the wide variety of shapes of pasta made in this part of Italy - from cavatelli to orecchiette.
Then relax for the rest of the afternoon before we head back into Matera to visit a fascinating wine bar cave. Here we'll enjoy a light dinner combined with a wine-pairing. Truly a unique experience. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - The Dolomites of the South
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Dolomites of the South, where you can find the beautiful mountain towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. Set amongst majestic mountains and lush scenery, these towns will show you yet another side to the wonder that is Basilicata.
Both villages belong to the “I Borghi più belli d'Italia” (The most beautiful villages of Italy), an association of small Italian towns of historical interest.
Here you will also find the “Volo dell’Angelo (flight of the angel) – A zip line adventure that takes you on a journey between the peaks of Castelmezzano to the village of Pietrapertosa.
We'll enjoy a light lunch at a quaint local restaurant then return to our agriturismo for a lesson in regional wine-tasting guided by a sommelier.
In the evening, we'll visit the town of Altamura for some incredible pizza. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Day Trip to Puglia
After breakfast at our agriturismo, we'll head out to see some sites in the region of Puglia. We'll first stop in Poginano a Mare, a cozy and charming little town on the Adriatic coast with beautiful narrow streets, romantic balconies, and breathtaking views of the sea.
For lunch, we'll be savoring some local seafood delights (options available for non-seafood eaters).
In the afternoon, we will travel on to explore another iconic town of Puglia: Alberobello. This fairytale town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its unique "Trulli" - the conical shaped homes.
Dinner at our agriturismo with local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - A Day in Local Villages & Ghost Towns
After a leisurely breakfast at our accommodations, we will head off to see some very unique and interesting local villages in the Basilicata region - one is even a ghost town!
For nearly fifty years, the town of Craco has stood uninhabited. In 1963, the last 1,800 residents were forced to leave this village for their own safety due to the risk of earthquakes and landslides.
Today, thanks to the dramatic landscape and unique atmosphere, Craco has been the set of many movies including 'Saving Grace' , James Bond 'Quantum of Solace' and the hanging of Judas scene in Mel Gibson’s the 'Passion of the Christ'.
We'll also visit two other tiny villages in this area with some very unique history. Dinner with local wines at our villa. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Cheese & Wine
Today after our breakfast, you'll learn all about fresh cow milk cheeses and how to make fresh mozzarella with the local "Casaro" (cheesemaker).
This resident cheesemakercomes from a long line of Southern Italy mozzarella makers and there's not many people in the world who know more about this than him.
In this demonstration we will guide you through the process of making this wonderful cheese and then, of course, you'll get to taste it!
In addition to the fresh mozzarella that we will make, we will have the opportunity to taste some of the other local cheeses of this region.
Italian cheese is world famous but some of the most well known Italian cheeses can be found in Southern Italy.
After lunch, we'll enjoy a special wine tasting. In this wine tasting experience, we'll lay out a variety of Southern Italian wines for you to taste with our own 'Sommelier' or (wine expert) to guide you through the different flavors.
Farewell dinner tonight at our villa with local folk musicians and dancers. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Departure Day
Early morning breakfast at our agriturismo as we say our goodbyes.
We'll board our vans and depart for the Bari Airport.
Bid Arrivederci to Italy! (B)
This Tour Includes:
- Small group size: Maximum of only 10 travelers per group
- 7 nights in an agriturismo in Basilicata
- Transfer to and from Bari airport (BRI)
- All breakfasts, buffet style
- All lunches and dinners
- Regional wines with most meals
- Land transportation for the duration of the tour
- Private full-time tour escort
- Sommelier guided wine tasting
- Pasta making & cooking lesson
- Mozzarella making demonstration
- Guided walking tours throughout
- Visits to Matera, Castelmezzano, Tursi, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare
- Bread making demonstration
- Cheese & olive oil tasting events
- Pre-trip information packet
- All excursions and entrance fees as outlined by the itinerary
- Local VAT taxes and government fees, gas, highway tolls, city access licenses and permits, and parking fees
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Travel insurance*
- Travel documents & fees: i.e. passport and visas (if required)
- Any telephone, cell, data & internet usage**
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel-related expenses outside of the tour itinerary
- Any food or beverage ordered by traveler that is not included or presented during meals including: wine and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks & gelato
- Any taxes on personal items purchased
- Optional tips to guides, staff or drivers. These are not required and are given at your discretion.
- Any expenses related to Covid
* We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. This is to ensure that you are covered in the event of loss of deposit and cancellation fees, medical emergency or health expenses, personal accident, flight cancellation or delays and to protect your luggage against any loss or damage.
** There is free wifi at our accommodations
Dates: May 19-26, 2023
8 Days/7 Nights
Where: Basilicata
Group size: 6-10 Guests Maximum
Tour Cost: $3,100 USD per person/double occupancy
$450 USD single supplement
Deposit: $1000 USD to reserve your spot
Balance due: 60 Days prior to travel date
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