Itinerary
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Booking this tour: IV Travel

Maratea is on Basilicata's tiny stretch of coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea - a gorgeous little enclave that is full of history and romance - and stunning seascapes at every time of day.  During your visit, you can traipse around the wonderful old town center.  Above the town, on a plateau high above the water, you will find an interesting ancient Byzantine town, still  inhabited, and the 100 meter high Statue of the Redeemer with outstretched arms.  At dinner, enjoy a wonderful Basilicatan meal at the hotel, or perhaps in one of the lovely restaurants in old Maratea.
 

It's a bit of a drive from Maratea but it's a great drive and totally worth the effort.  You're destination is Matera, one of the most extraordinary cities in Italy -a "must see" on your trip into Basilicata and Puglia.  You will be staying in a remarkable "cave hotel" in the Sassi which, for reasons you will soon discover, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But on your way to Matera, you could visit Aliano, made famous by Carlo Levi in his book "Christ Stops at Eboli".  It's the small town, perched above extraordinary ravines, where Levi was exiled by Mussolini's Fascist government in the 1930s.  Read the book!

It's day 3 and today you'll drive to Locorotondo and nearby  Alberobello - where you will get a first hand look at the incredible "trulli"  architecture that is utterly unique in the world.  These cone-shaped, mortarless homes and buildings were built as a response to the special political problems that existed at the time.  Like Matera, UNESCO has declared Alberobello a World Heritage Site.

Tonight you will stay in a "trulli" hotel - and have an experience to remember!

Leaving Alberobello during the mid morning you'll arrive at Ostuni, "la citta bianca" - the white city - around the noon hour.  So, you might start with lunch, and follow up with an amiable stroll around the centro storico - the historical center.  There is so much Greek influence in its culture and architecture, you'll wonder if you're still in Italy.  You are!

Later in the day, it's time to head north to the town of Polignano A Mare on the Ionian Coast where you will check into the Grotto Palazzese - a chic modern hotel that has earned Fodor's Gold Star.

Enjoy the seaside ambience of Polignano A Mare and work up an appetite for dinner in one of the most amazing places you've ever encountered (which after Matera, Alberobello and Ostuni is saying something)...and have a wonderful Pugliese feast in the hotels gorgeous restaurant - located inside a huge sea cave. 
 

Your next stop on the day's journey is to Altamura, another ancient city high in the mountains of Puglia.  Altamura is a very interesting place and you might want to spend all your time in there.  However, once you've seen the wonders of Altamura, you might just want to take the short drive to Gravina in Puglia, where, among other things, you will find a castle hanging improbably over a deep canyon.

Today you'll enjoy another long drive through Puglia and Basilicata - but again, it's a great drive with a fantastic destination.  By evening you'll be in Melfi, one-time capital of Southern Italy.  The historical center is very engaging and there are a number of important monuments, museums and buildings to see, including the castle that dominates the town.  The Duomo - or Cathedral - which has suffered a myriad of vicissitudes is a "must see".  But mostly you'll want to just absorb the atmosphere of this old city, its winding streets, its jaw-dropping views over the surrounding landscapes.

• It's time to leave Melfi (unless of course, you want to stay longer).  You can drive to Naples and leave your car at the airport there, or extend your trip...see below.

* VisitsItaly.com reserves the right to select hotels within the same class depending on availability at the time of booking.