Enjoying the view from Porto degli Argonauti
Learning to cook at Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda
The beautiful Corte San Pietro hotel in Matera
Flying over Italy with the Flight of the Angel zipwire
The region of Basilicata, ItalyÂ
When I was invited to travel around the region of Basilicata by Discover Basilicata, my first thought was, “Where’s Basilicata?” Even upon arriving at the airport in Bari, only a two-hour flight from London, I didn’t really know where I was or what to expect.
And while I’d visited Italy three times before, and seen most of the major cities, I didn’t expect to feel so immediately comfortable in the region, or to like it so much. Each day, action-packed with cooking lessons and sailing and zip-lining and festival-going and eating and drinking (and eating and drinking some more), made me fall more and more in love with the region and its people. With barely any tourists, oodles of things to do, incredibly welcoming people, delicious food, beautiful countryside, and surrounded by seas, Basilicata completely floored me.
These are just a few photos from my time spent there; they’re all from Instagram. More photos, and many more stories, to come. Basilicata deserves them.
Have you ever heard of Basilicata? Do you prefer to travel around cities or the countryside?Â
28 comments
Lovely photos. All the food looks delicious!
It really was… and not what I expected when I thought of Italian food!
I think to get a real feel for the place you are in you must venture off the beaten track to see how the culture really is in a less “touristy” part of the country. From my China trip we wanted to visit a town called Zhangjiajie but it was an endless number of train rides to reach it. It was my favourite town I have visited in all my travels so far and I’m so glad we persevered and got there in the end!!
I’ve never heard of that town… but I’m sure I would enjoy it, too! I really need to explore more of China, I’ve only been to Beijing. I love visiting towns and the countryside – you’re right, you get a good feel of the culture that way.
These pictures are so amazing! It looks like such a magical place 🙂
Thank you, Zalie! I really think that you and Tom should go… or maybe we should go together?
Yes to sister and sister ( and Mr. Mole too)! 😉
I’ve never heard of Basilicata… But you made me really want to go! Your photos are gorgeous.
That’s great, thank you so much! I really recommend it, I can’t wait to see more of the region.
viewing your beautiful snapshots whilst behind a desk in winter…. painful!
I’m… sorry?!? 🙂
I’d never heard of Basilicata before either. The great thing about Europe is that you can enjoy the country, yet still not be far from the cities.
Yes, travelling around Europe is so great for that!
Oh my god this place is real.
It is… and it’s amazing!
It looks like I was there around the same time as you were! Really is a magical place, isn’t it? I had the best pizza at a little cafe in Matera, and some of the best food I had in all of italy came from this region.
Oh wow, cool! I would love to go back to Matera, it is indeed so magical…
Wow, it looks amazing. I just returned from Venice yesterday.
What camera do you use for these pictures? Just the one on your phone?
I’d love to go back to Venice! I just used my iPhone for these photos, and put filters on them in Instagram.
Great shots! I really love the cow – why was he decorated that way?
All of the animals were part of the Festival of the Marriage of the Trees, so I assume his “attire” is part of the festival’s tradition!
Basilicata is awesome, we’ve made two great motorcycle trips to the region.
Keep the stories coming Brenna
Murray
Thanks Murray, I imagine a motorcycle trip through Italy would be amazing!
[…] us, and to Discover Basilicata for inviting me to Italy. I am already plotting my return to Basilicata, it was just that […]
[…] were definitely fun times: my first real press trip, to Italy, was incredible, and I had time in both France and Spain. I moved flats, which involved buying and setting up all […]
[…] cities like Florence and Rome, my recommendation lies in the Italian countryside. When I visited the region of Basilicata last summer, I completely fell in love. If you’re looking for absolutely stunning scenery, […]
[…] All of this is to say that I am starting a new series on the blog, which, if you haven’t already figured out, is called “Why I Love ______”. And today, because it’s cold in London and I’m craving pasta (both of those things can be said for nearly every day of the year, to be fair), I’m writing about Basilicata. […]
beautiful! Matera and sleeping in a gorgeous Cave were one of the highlights for me in Italy