DAY 1 Private transfer from Bari airport (or Alberobello) to Matera. Accommodation in a 4* Hotel in the Sassi district. Dinner  (on your own) in one of the typical Sassi restaurants.
DAY 2
h 9,30 a.m. “Classic” tour amidst the Sassi of Matera (length: 3 hours). Visit to the Sassi, a UNESCO world heritage site, and to the historic centre. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto you can admire the panorama of Sasso Barisano and hypogean surroundings. Visit to two of the city’s wonderful examples of Romanic art: S. Giovanni Battista (1233) with its classical, decorated capitals and the Romanic cathedral (1270) whose impressive façade is enriched by a splendid rose window. From the top of Civita, the ancient medieval town surrounded by tall bastions and aristocratic buildings, the tour takes you down into Sasso Caveoso following a panoramic route that winds around stairways, squares and alleys that often run along rooftops. The tour stops off at Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a small museum dedicated to the farming population, and the rupestrian church of Santa Lucia alle Malve (11th C.). The tour then moves back up to the baroque Piazza Pascoli overlooked by Palazzo Lanfranchi, dating from the end of 1600, the city’s first seminary and home to Basilicata’s Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. The view from on high of the Sassi and Murgia caves is quite breathtaking.

h 12,30 a.m. Cheese and salami tasting from the Basilicata mountains.

h 15,30 a.m. Walk through the Rupestrian Churches Park (2 hours): a short trip through Matera’s Murgia to discover the gems of rupestrian civilisation and its botanical and wildlife heritage. Visit to a Neolithic village dating from the 7th millennium BC, Iazzo Gattini (ancient sheep pen set up as visitors centre), the rupestrian sanctuary of Madonna delle Tre Porte, the location for Golgotha in Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ”, and the fortified farm of Torre Spagnola. Back to Matera and dinner (on your own) .

DAY 3 Excursion to the Lucanian Dolomites
h 9,00 a.m. departure and arrival to Pietrapertosa at 10,00. This is a small village set at 1000 m. high, with characteristic stone houses, perched on the walls of the Basilicata Dolomites. Breathtaking view of the deep, grassy valley of Basento. After reaching the summit with the Castle we transfer to the nearby village of Castelmezzano. Picnic on the rocks and back to Matera (lunch with cooking course on demand). Free afternoon to spend in Matera.

DAY 4 La Magna Grecia
h 9,00 a.m. – Departure with a stop for a visit to archaeological digs in Metaponto, an ancient colony of Magna Grecia. The sacred area, theatre and potters’ district are still clearly visible. Tavole Palatine, a splendid temple from the 6th century BC dedicated to Hera is not too far away. Visit to the Museum of Magna Grecia, with an interesting collection of funeral items and archaeological finds from the ancient polis. After you will continue to Maratea. Accommodation in a 4* Hotel. Dinner  (on your own) in Hotel.

DAY 5 Maratea
Self guided excursion to the San Biagio Mount and the Redeemer Statue, with a breathtaking panorama of the cliffs and coves along the coast. You descend on foot into the countryside along a paved path to visit the historic centre. Take your free time to enjoy the beautiful Maratea or go relaxing in one of the small and different beaches along the coast. Dinner  (on your own) and overnight stay.

DAY 6 Free day.
Suggested excursions are in the near villages of Rivello or Trecchina, or sailing along the coast with a fish menu on the boat. Dinner  (on your own) and overnight stay.

DAY 7 breakfast and end of services