Archive for 'Basilicata'

While it may seem a little strange, Italy is actually a bit of a hot-spot for ghost towns. The internet is filled with endless websites dedicated to pictures of beautifully and poetically decaying buildings and ghost towns and recording and visiting such places is increasingly popular.

If you are among the many obsessed by such things or merely among the great number of us somewhat intrigued by such things, Italy is a dream destination. Due to emigration, natural disasters and accidents there are many ghost towns all over the country that are just waiting to be explored. Here are just a selection of our favourites.

Craco in Basilicata is a town that was built perched on a very high summit, for defensive reasons. It is a particularly attractive medieval hilltown and, since the 20th century, has been abandoned.

Regional breads abound across the length and breadth of Italy, however, the most famous of these is probably the bread of Matera in Basilicata, Italy. A stunning southern Italian town, Matera is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and its historic centre, the “Sassi” (ancient cave dwellings), is a UNESCO Heritage Site. The town is within a canyon carved out by the Gravina and is extraordinarily beautiful and unique. If not for the town itself, you must make sure to visit in order to taste the local cuisine!

Find a holiday rental in Basilicata and spend time exploring the town, both old and new, and eating all the regional treats.

Craco is a comune and town in Basilicata which was built perched on a very high summit for defensive reasons. A typical medieval hilltown in many ways, it is highly atypical in another; since the 20th century, the town has been abandoned with residents having moved away for various reasons. Today, it is a tourist destination which is visited by outsiders and old residents each year. Craco's stark and beautiful appearance has also led to its usage, on several occasions, in the backgrounds of frames of movies and as a setting for particular scenes. If you want to wander the town yourself, find a holiday rental in Basilicata and spend a day there.

When most people think of a holiday in Italy, it invariably conjures up images of eating good food, drinking good wine, taking in art and culture, strolling through medieval towns, piazzas, boutique shopping districts, enjoying the beautiful landscapes and luxuriating by the sea. These images tend to be of relaxation, of peaceful holidays of the romantic or familial variety. However, the country has much more to offer than clichés – no matter how appealing! Enjoy the things that Italy is famous for but have an adventure too! There are fantastic sites for zip-lining in the country so why not find a luxury villa in Italy and spend a day soaring through the air?

Basilicata, one of the lesser-known regions of Italy, is less densely populated than much of the country and is both rich in history and has unpolluted natural scenery all around. The city of Potenza is its capital and is the highest regional capital in Italy. Perched up high, it has beautiful views sweeping over the lush Basento Valley. This could be the perfect tranquil spot for your next escape to a italian luxury villa. The city's origins go back to the 9th century B.C. and, as a result, it is steeped in history and things to see and do. One of the most impressive sights is the Duomo, or Cathedral, of San Gerardo.