Basilicata

Basilicata is a region of stark landscapes; of rugged mountains and virgin forests, only occasionally interrupted by tiny villages and picturesque towns. Forming the instep of the boot that is Italy, the fertile land was a battleground for ancient empires for centuries but is now a charming coastal holiday destination.

The region's many historical attractions include one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world – Matera. Once deservedly a European Capital of Culture, the city is famous for its beautiful historical quarter and the series of prehistoric cave dwellings beneath it.