Basilicata is a region that many Italians themselves have yet to discover, and one that rewards every visitor with far more than they expect. Between the golden beaches of the Ionian coast, the vineyards and masserie of the interior and the timeless Sassi of Matera, it holds treasures that deserve to be seen up close. Welcome Lucania (managed by Anna Maria Corrado and Francesco Garofalo) invited us on a four-day journey to experience them, and the result was a discovery from start to finish.
Our arrival took us from Bari across the border into Lucania and down to Policoro, the town that stands on the site of ancient Herakleia, once one of the jewels of Magna Graecia.
Here the Hotel San Vincenzo welcomed us with the calm elegance that would accompany the whole stay: spacious rooms, beautifully kept grounds and a level of service that made it easy to feel at home from the very first moment, when the tour was presented and the group began to take shape.
The Ionian coast soon opened up before us. Hotel Marinagri in Policoro was the first surprise, a resort conceived around water, with canals and a private marina winding between the buildings, so that yachts lie moored almost at the guests’ doors while a path through the pine woods leads down to the beach. A short drive away, at Marina di Pisticci, the Argonauti Resort pays homage in its very name to the legendary sailors of Greek myth, offering gardens, pools and generous open spaces a few steps from the sea, the ideal setting for a carefree holiday. The atmosphere is that of a great country estate where history is still lived every day.
Lunch awaited us at Il Patio di Torre Fiore restaurant, a feast of Lucanian flavours served with heartfelt hospitality, after which we explored Torre Fiore itself, a historic masseria restored with exquisite sensitivity, its pale stone, shaded courtyards and sweeping views making it one of the most enchanting venues in the region for weddings, celebrations or simply a few days of perfect peace.
The tour then led us into the fragrant world of the Museo Essenza Lucano, devoted to the family and the celebrated amaro that have carried the name of this land around the globe. Through archive photographs, original equipment and the secrets of a recipe built on herbs and roots, the museum tells a story of enterprise and loyalty to one’s origins that is impossible not to admire.
Amaro Lucano has always been inseparable from its homeland, and here that bond becomes tangible. Our journey continued south towards Nova Siri, where green hills roll gently down to a long, golden shoreline.
At Nova Siri Marina we discovered Akiris, a refined residential complex that combines the freedom of an elegant apartment with the services of a fine hotel, and then Toccacielo Resort, whose evocative name, meaning “touch the sky”, captures perfectly its light-filled spaces, lush greenery and relaxed sophistication.
The doors of Cantine Battifarano then opened for a tasting lunch that many of us will remember for a long time. Each wine was paired with a dish of the territory, and the family behind the estate guided us through vineyards, grape varieties and winemaking choices with a passion that made every glass taste even better. It was a celebration of Lucanian conviviality at its finest.
From there we went on to the Ecoresort dei Siriti in Nova Siri, a haven immersed in nature where respect for the environment and comfort go hand in hand, and finally to Sira Resort at Nova Siri Marina, bright, welcoming and facing the sea, a place designed for families and for anyone who wishes to let the rhythm of the Ionian waves set the pace of the holiday.
Our last day was reserved for the crown jewel of Basilicata. Heading inland, the road crossed golden fields and gentle hills until Matera appeared on the edge of its ravine, and with it the extraordinary spectacle of the Sassi di Matera. Thousands of dwellings, churches and cellars carved into the soft tufa cascade down the slope, the roof of one house forming the street of the one above, all of it crowned by the Romanesque cathedral and its graceful bell tower. People have lived here for some nine thousand years, making Matera one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth.
Its rebirth is one of the great Italian stories of the last century. Once abandoned and considered a national disgrace, the Sassi were patiently restored, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and celebrated as European Capital of Culture in 2019. Today the ancient cave homes host boutique hotels, fine restaurants, artisans and galleries, while the soul of the city remains wonderfully intact. Wandering through the Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano, along stairways and narrow lanes and past rock churches adorned with centuries-old frescoes, one soon understands why Matera moves visitors so deeply and stays with them long after they leave.
Our visit continued at Moyseion Matera, a hotel unlike any other, set in the old city and inspired by the culture of ancient Greece. Every room carries the memory of the stone from which it was shaped. It is one of the most authentic ways to sleep in the heart of the Sassi. We were then welcomed at Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA, carved into the rock.
Vaulted suites, soft light and a breathtaking spa make it one of the most extraordinary hotels in the city, a place where the history of Matera becomes a truly unforgettable experience. The day closed with a memorable lunch at Oi Marì, where good food, fine wine and lively conversation carried us happily into the afternoon.
Basilicata remains one of the best-kept secrets of southern Italy, and that is precisely its charm. In just four days we found outstanding hospitality along the Ionian coast, producers proud of their land, superb food and wine and, in Matera, a city of universal beauty.
Our warmest thanks go to Welcome Lucania, whose impeccable organisation and deep knowledge of the territory turned this journey into a true discovery. For anyone wishing to experience this region in all its authenticity, there could be no better guide.
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Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder