Focus: Ancient cave dwellings, James Bond film sets, and mountain ziplines.
Day 1: The Sassi of Matera. Check into a cave suite in Sasso Barisano. Take a sunset walking tour through the Sassi Caveoso to see the city illuminate like a giant nativity scene.
Day 2: Cinematic Matera. Follow the “No Time to Die” trail. Visit the Gravina Canyon and the Rock Church of Santa Maria de Idris. Dinner at a “Cave Restaurant” for authentic Lucanian cuisine.
Day 3: The “Sistine Chapel” of Caves. Visit the Crypt of Original Sin, located outside the city, to see 8th-century frescoes. Afternoon visit to MUSMA, the museum of contemporary sculpture in a cave.
Day 4: Flight of the Angel. Drive to the “Lucanian Dolomites.” In Castelmezzano, take the Volo dell’Angelo—a high-speed zipline that connects two mountain peaks.
Day 5: The Ghost Town. Visit Craco, an abandoned medieval hilltop town that serves as a hauntingly beautiful film set. Continue to Aliano, the village of exile for writer Carlo Levi.
Day 6: Coastal Maratea. Head to the Tyrrhenian coast to Maratea. Visit the Christ the Redeemer statue (second only to Rio’s in size) overlooking the sea.
Day 7: Ionian Heritage. Visit the Metaponto Archaeological Park to see Greek temple ruins before heading to Bari or Brindisi for your departure flight.
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