Basilicata is a relatively small region, but it constantly surprises travelers along its roads. It offers a continuous transformation of landscapes where villages and castles appear small and defenseless against the unstoppable force of nature.
Basilicata, terra dai molti volti
$4,950.00
Click on the city name to see the description
YOUR TRIP
Days 12
Nights 10
Price $4,950.00 (min 25/30 pax)
The trip starts with a min. of 21/24 participants (plus +100 $)
Group Code BAS24
Overnights Matera, Potenza, Maratea
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DAY 1 - Friday, May 3rd, 2024
Departure from New York (or from another airport upon request with cost evaluation), airline, and schedule to be determined.
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DAY 2 - Saturday, May 4th, 2024
MORNING
Arrival in Bari and transfer by private bus to the hotel in Matera.
Enjoy an aperitif at the hotel with tastings of local products like Matera bread and some relaxation.AFTERNOON
Take a walk with a Tour Leader for your first encounter with Matera, the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Known as the “City of Stones,” it is a fascinating and unique place with its history, artificial caves, labyrinths, stairways, alleys, and the poignant living conditions of its inhabitants until 1952 when, with American assistance, the population of 18,000 people was relocated to new buildings. The deserted city gave way to ruins and a profound melancholy that pervades every corner and perspective. Now, it’s visited by thousands of tourists who are deeply moved and captivated by its charm.
EVENING
Welcome dinner with a typical Lucanian menu.
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DAY 3 - Sunday, May 5th, 2024
MORNING
Half-day excursion begins with the first stop in Contrada Murgia Timone, a belvedere offering an iconic view of Matera and a characteristic setting often used for filming Western movies.
The second stop is in Montescaglioso in the valley of the Bradano River, where you’ll visit San Michele Arcangelo, featuring a statue by Mantegna. The Basilica of San Michele is also a significant attraction. Along the way, you’ll pass by the San Giuliano Nature Reserve with its lake.AFTERNOON
The tour continues in Matera with a specialized guide who will immerse the group in the daily life within the Sassi, exploring cave houses (see photo), churches, and the cathedral. The visit will include stops at Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, Via Muro, Via Fiorentini, and other areas that provide a comprehensive view of Matera’s reality. In particular, you’ll visit the IMMERSIVE MUSEUM, THE MUSEUM OF PEASANT CULTURE, and THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MATERA.
Meeting with a local authority who retraces the history of the city and its inhabitants.EVENING
Enjoy dinner in a charming local restaurant in Matera.
After dinner, take a walk outside Matera to get an overall view of the city, which, with its lights, resembles a real nativity scene. -
DAY 4 - Monday, May 6th, 2024
FULL-DAY TRIP
The tour includes a stop in Pisticci, where the famous and typical Lucano amaro is produced, known worldwide. Approximately 30,000 bottles of it are produced in a day.
AMARO LUCANO, THE ESSENCE OF A LEGEND (see photo). An immersive journey, a multisensory experience of colors, scents, and the history of AMARO LUCANO.
A unique MUSEUM that celebrates the production and history of this product in the land of Basilicata.Basilicata, a land of many abandoned villages due to strong emigration, is also home to ghost towns that offer a unique fascination. One of these is Craco, which you’ll visit along this itinerary. These are towns that have, in a way, regained life through tourism.
Aliano is the last stop before returning, one of the most meaningful and historic.
It was the land of confinement for the writer Carlo Levi and a desolate, abandoned land he described in his novel “Christ Stopped at Eboli.” The writer rests in the same cemetery since 1975.Return in the evening and enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant.
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DAY 5 - Tuesday, May 7th, 2024
MORNING/AFTERNOON
Transfer to Potenza with various stops along the approximately 240 km route.
The first stop is in Tricarico, where you can admire the Norman Tower and the Church of Santa Chiara, along with the picturesque Arab quarters that intertwine along the town’s streets. Tricarico is closely associated with the figure of Rocco Scotellaro, who was born here, and whose poems are carved into the walls of the streets (Literary Park).The itinerary includes a detour to reach Accettura in the late morning, a small village known for having the narrowest street in Italy (41 cm) and famous for tree rituals (see photo).
You’ll visit the MUSEUM OF TREE RITUALS.EVENING
Arrival in Potenza in the evening.
Dinner at the Hotel la Primula with a typical local menu. -
DAY 6 - Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
MORNING
Short walk in Potenza, the regional capital situated at the highest altitude in Italy, at 819 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, its history reflects a past of hardships. One of its distinctive features is the escalators that cover about 1.5 km, making it easier for pedestrians to navigate its uphill streets.
We’ll pass by the Cathedral and visit the NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, which has been housed in the imposing Loffredo Palace since 2005.
AFTERNOON
Muro Lucano, a typical village on the hill with its castle and stories of medieval betrayals and killings. However, this village exudes an air of subtle elegance with its buildings arranged in an amphitheater-like fashion in the morning mist. In front of the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, you’ll find the Scala della Poesia, made of colorful pebbles.
The tour continues to Castelgrande, where the Butterfly House is located, and it’s also home to an Astronomical Observatory (see photo) equipped with a massive 40-meter mirror.EVENING
Dinner with a typical local menu.
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DAY 7 - Thursday, May 9th, 2024
FULL-DAY TRIP
Excursion to Calvello and visit to the Museum of Ceramics
The Carafa-Ruffo Castle, dating back to the Norman era, is located at the top of the town of Calvello (PZ) and houses the MUSEUM OF CERAMICS.
You can book the following activities:
Guided Tour:
– MUSEUM OF CERAMICS
– Carafa-Ruffo Castle
Sensory Ceramics Workshop (see photo):
– Guided manipulation at the lathe
– Creation of a ceramic artifact
– Exercise in decoration with colored enamels
In the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn not only how a ceramic artifact is made but also about the tools and various techniques used in ceramics craftsmanship. -
DAY 8 - Friday, May 10th, 2024
FULL-DAY TRIP
The first town we come across is Rionero in Vulture, where you can visit the MUSEUM OF BANDITRY that plagued the area and where the largest production of Aglianico wine takes place. Visit one of the local wineries with a wine tasting session.
Next, we visit Ripacandida, famous for honey production (known as the City of Honey) and for the frescoes in its Sanctuary (see photo), rightfully called the “Assisi of Basilicata.”
We then reach Venosa, which has numerous attractions that we explore while walking through its ancient streets: Pirro’s Castle, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, the Abbey of the Holy Trinity, and more. We’ll also stop in the square dedicated to Horace, the Latin poet known for his “Carpe Diem” and “Aurea Mediocritas” philosophy.
The tour concludes in Rapolla, famous for its thermal baths and the Urban Park of the cellars.Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner featuring local specialties.
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DAY 9 - Saturday, May 11st, 2024
MORNING/AFTERNOON
Transfer to Maratea with a couple of stops along the way. In particular, we visit Lagonegro, known for its proximity to the ski resorts in the area. Here, you can see the Church of San Nicola, where popular tradition tells the story that Lisa del Giocondo (the Mona Lisa from the famous painting at the Louvre in Paris) is buried. It is said that she died of malaria in 1506 and was buried here. There is also a MONNALISA MUSEUM in this town.
Along the route to Maratea, we also pass through Rivello (see photo), perched on the summits of three hills, which was contested by the Byzantines and the Lombards, representing two different cultures.EVENING
Enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant.
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DAY 10 - Sunday, May 12nd, 2024
RELAX DAY: beaches, walks, and shopping
In Maratea, the most beautiful beaches (see photo) are concentrated in just 30 km, stretching from Calabria to Campania. These coves feature intensely blue seas and steep cliffs, making Maratea a dreamy destination. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in the traditional Feast of San Biagio, the patron saint of the city, which has been celebrated in Maratea for hundreds of years.
You can take part in a cooking workshop and enjoy a special dinner. -
DAY 11 - Monday, May 13rd, 2024
FULL-DAY TRIP
Full-day excursion to San Severino Lucano on the last day before departure. You’ll take a trip to the Pollino National Park, where you can enjoy the slowest carousel (see photo) in the world while savoring and admiring the landscape, filled with broom and yellow blooms in the spring. This excursion offers a serene way to conclude your trip, taking in the natural beauty of the Pollino region.
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DAY 12 - Tuesday, May 14th, 2024
Transfer to the airport, via private motor coach, for a flight.
Lunch and snack served on board. Same day arrival. -
ATTENTION! If you do not wish to return with the group, you have the following options:
1. Return on a different date, based on your needs – upon request (visiting relatives or places of personal significance).
2. Extend the trip to Rome, only available upon request and at an additional cost.During the registration phase, it is necessary to formally express either option 1 or 2 for the conclusion of the trip in order to organize the return flight.
PACKAGE PRICE INCLUSION
The travel package to Italy for adults and families includes the following:
PREPARATION
• Pre-trip preparation meeting via Zoom with logistical information for participants.
• Detailed Tour presentation booklet with cultural and tourist information useful for the group.
TRAVEL
A. TRANSPORTATION
• Round-trip flight from NY (or from another airport with cost adjustment)
• Private and exclusive bus available for the group throughout the entire Tour
B. FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
3-star or 4-star hotels based on availability and time of year, in double rooms or single rooms with a supplement.
Breakfast and dinner every day. Water is included, all other beverages are excluded. These are the responsibility of the participants. In addition, there will be special tastings or aperitifs:
• Welcome aperitif in Matera
• Honey Tasting in Ripacandida
• Wine Tasting and Samplings in Rionero In Vulture
NB. The menus include a selection of typical regional dishes.
C. SUPPORT STAFF
A Tour Leader who accompanies the group on various excursions, coordinates them throughout the period, and provides all necessary information and advice: shopping, currency usage, withdrawals, phone usage, public transportation, restaurant choices, and more.
Regularly accredited specialized guides for the following city tours:
• Matera, guided tour of the city and its museums.
• Pisticci, guide to the Amaro Lucano Museum.
• Accettura, guide to the Museum of Tree Rituals.
• Castelgrande, guide to the Astronomical Observatory.
• Calvello, guide to the Ceramic Museum.
Attention!
If not everyone wishes to participate in one or more excursions, they must indicate this during registration to agree on either a second Tour Leader with an additional cost of approximately $220 per participant, or those who do not participate will manage their time freely.
D. ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHOPS
• Meeting with a local authority who retraces the history of the city and its inhabitants.
• Sensory experience in Pisticci during the visit to the Amaro Lucano Museum.
• Ceramics workshop in Calvello.
• Visit to a honey production workshop in Ripacandida.
• Winery visit and tasting in Rionero in Vulture.
• One hour at the thermal baths in Rapolla (if available based on schedules – Optional).
• Experience of the panoramic carousel in the Pollino Park in Sanseverino (Optional).
• Lucanian square dance (Quadriglia) or tarantella dance (optional).
• Traditional festival of San Biagio in Maratea.
• Cooking workshop (optional).
NB. Whenever possible, visits to local festivals or folklore events are included in the travel itinerary, depending on the period of the trip.
E. MUSEUM ADMISSIONS
• Immersive Museum in Matera.
• Museum of Peasant Culture in Matera.
• National Museum of Matera.
• Multisensory Amaro Lucano Museum in Pisticci.
• Museum of Tree Rituals in Accettura.
• National Archaeological Museum in Potenza.
• Ceramics Museum in Calvello.
The Basilicata Tour provides the group with an understanding of the region’s development, its economy, landscape, environment, culture, and the enhancement of its characteristics and its artistic and historical beauty. It promotes in-depth knowledge, not just superficial or purely touristic, of its linguistic, traditional, culinary, and production heritage.
GIFT
Online course PASSAPORTO PER L’ITALIA Level 1-2-3-4, based on your communication skills.
ATTENTION! The schedule for the day may vary depending on weather conditions, traffic, and other logistical needs.
ATTENTION!! A meeting with an expert for an interview on specific regional issues is scheduled, to be confirmed at a later date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Civil Liability Insurance – Nobis 203118346
(2.100.000 € casualty – 2.100.000 € person – 2.100.000 € damages of personal belongings/animals).
Accident and Personal Injury Policy – Zurich 653A3115
Guarantee Fund, Multi-risk Travel Policy, Cancellations and Bankruptcies – Nobis 203111335
(50.000 € death – 50.000 € permanent disability – 1000€ medical expenses – 50€ daily hospital allowance).
American insurance for the cancellation of the trip is optional at additional cost.