Basilicata is embedded between Calabria and Puglia, in the south of Italy. You will not get here accidentally; you will choose this region only if you feel like having a different experience, plunging into places where silence, colors, scents and flavors will take you away from the frenzy and stress of modern life, offering unique sensations.
The woods and forests that cover the mountains are dotted with small and charming towns, some of them even at an altitude of 1000 mt, where pure air, genuine flavors and the beauties of nature are combined with historical vestiges to satisfy any wish.
Beautiful, though little explored, is the area of Monticchio Lakes, one of the most spectacular areas in Basilicata. Lake Grande and Lake Piccolo, are two splendid stretches of water that fill the two craters of Mount Vulture, now extinct, and are surrounded by thick and lush vegetation.
Even though it is a mainly internal region, Basilicata is on two seas: the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea. The Ionic coast, with the two famous sea resorts of Metaponto and Policoro, offers wide beaches, either sandy or pebbly, partially surrounded by pinewoods and rows of eucalyptus that give off a lovely scent.
The Gulf of Policastro, on the Tyrrhenian side, has higher and more indented coasts, where steep promontories alternate with small beaches, washed by crystal-clear waters.
The provinces of the region are Potenza (regional capital) and Matera.
Matera, the Rock town, is a unique place that was inscribed on the World Heritage List by Unesco. Taking a walk along the lanes of the Civita, the oldest part of the town, you will enter the ancient urban area formed by a dense network of caves, dug out of rock by shepherds to shelter their family and their livestock. It is an ancient architectural work with no design, which gave rise to a real monumental work, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.
This place is so special that is was chosen by the famous actor and director Mel Gibson as the setting for his movie “The Passion”.
The coast of Maratea, 32 km of coast on the Tyrrhenian side of Basilicata, is famous around the world for the richness and beauty of its seabeds. For those who do not like diving, this splendid land offers countless little beaches, to relax in the sun and bathe in unpolluted sea waters. A different way to enjoy and get to know the sea is a boat tour to visit the many caves that form the coastline.
Finally Maratea, a precious pearl embedded in the charming Gulf of Policastro, with the stately Redeemer Statue that overlooks it from Mount San Biagio; from there, you can enjoy an amazing view of the gulf.
For the most part, Basilicata is occupied by mountains, covered with wonderful woods and splendid forests, a spectacular landscape where to regenerate, have fun and eat good food all the year round. In winter, when a white blanket covers the highest peaks, you can play lots of sports. But also in the summer, the mountains are a perfect place for those who love walking, climbing, cycling or just reading a good book.
Riding a rollerbe, a two-wheeled grass scooter, or sliding, either sitting or laying down, either alone or in a group, on inflatable rings (snow tubing) or trying to drive a devalkart, a downhill grass scooter: these are all original and enjoyable ways to spend your holidays in the beautiful nature of this region. There are wonderful places to explore riding a horse or a mountain bike, or simply on foot, taking one of the many paths that climb up the mountains to enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views.
Limpid and pure, roaring and swift, calm and warm: this is the water in Basilicata. Streams and brooks flowing down from the mountains, lakes surrounded by lush vegetation, and the sea, with its thousands of blue shades. A priceless richness to enjoy in the open air, practicing sports like rafting or canyoning, canoeing or sailing, scuba-diving or sports fishing.
For those who love shopping and nightlife, Maratea is just perfect: a glance at the shop windows of the old town, a dinner in one of the typical restaurants of the port, a dessert at the bars of the piazza and finally a visit to one of the many clubs to dance all night long.
The typical food of Basilicata, simple and fragrant, is entirely based on few local products, wisely combined in typical and very old traditional dishes.
The most important product is certainly durum wheat home-made pasta, kneaded with ancient tools like the rasola, the cavarola (a blade and a small chopping board, respectively) and the maccarunara. To make other types of pasta, like minuich and tria, it only takes the skill and mastery of housewives. The tastiest sauces cannot go without hot pepper, the real symbol of cookery in Basilicata, more often called diavolicchio (little devil) in this region.
Panella, big bread loaves made with flour and boiled potatoes, and pancotto, a soup with toasted bread and eggs, are two typical dishes made with bread, another common ingredient in this area.
Following tradition, the people of Basilicata often eat lamb dishes, like cazmarr, a meatloaf made with offal (called gnumaredd in dialect) and cutturiddi, a sort of lamb stew. Another typical dish is lamb’s head, which is baked and seasoned with oregano and pecorino. Lucanica is a famous meat dish, a sausage made with lean pork meat, prepared in many different ways, without additives.
Vegetables are very used in Basilicata too, and offer a wide range of tasty dishes spiced with a hint of hot pepper. Some good examples are vegetable calzone, ciammotta (fried potatoes, peppers and eggplants with tomato sauce), ciaudedda, with broad beans, potatoes and artichokes, and lampaggioni salad. A superb vegetable dish is the ‘piatto d’erbe alla lucana’ (Basilicata style vegetable dish), which is made with onions, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, basil and parsley cooked together and seasoned with olive-oil.
