BASILICATA – TOUR OF EASTERN BASILICATA AND SASSI DI MATERA. 4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: MATERA – DOLOMITI LUCANE (MOUNTAIN RANGE) – METAPONTO – RABATANA (TURSI) – MELFI
DURATION: 4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival at the Bari airport and transfer by Gran Turismo coach to Matera. Check-in to our hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2: DOLOMITI LUCANE
After breakfast, we are off to see the Dolomiti Lucane. Famous for its magnificent peaks and stunning landscapes, this mountain range formed 15 million years ago at the heart of Basilicata, in the province of Potenza. Then we visit Pietrapertosa (one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy), known for its picturesque alleys and buildings carved out of rock. We have lunch along the way and we proceed to Castelmezzano. Return to the hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3: SASSI DI MATERA (2019 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE)
After breakfast, we head out to visit the so-called Sassi di Matera. Lunch at a restaurant. Comprising the districts of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, with the Civita at its centre, Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world, a living museum telling mankind’s story from the Stone Age to the present day. Due to its biblical landscape, the city has been the setting for many world-famous films and is now experiencing a cultural Renaissance. In the afternoon, we will visit the Regional Park of the Rock Churches. Return to the hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 4: MAGNA GRAECIA AND THE ARAB QUARTERS
After breakfast, we head for Metaponto, an ancient city in the heart of Magna Graecia that was home to the school of Pythagoras. Here we will visit the archaeological site and its ruins, which include the famous Tavole Palatine (“Palatine Tables”), i.e. the remains of a Doric temple dating back to the sixth century BC. Lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Then we take a tour of Rabatana (Arab quarter) in the city of Tursi and visit the 10th-century Romanesque Sanctuary of Anglona. Return to the hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5: MELFI
After breakfast, we visit the Castle of Melfi, which dominates the picturesque village dating from the Middle Ages. Due to its strategic position, the castle became one of Frederick II’s main residences. Lunch and transfer to the Bari airport.
The offer includes:
Accommodation at a four-star hotel in Matera or near Matera with 4 days half board;
4 lunches;
English-speaking guide throughout the tour (or German, French, Spanish)
Coach for the whole tour
The offer does not include: anything not specified above
The proposal is valid till December 2022 in compliance with the indications of the current legislation regarding the Covid Pandemic – 19