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Acciaroli, Cilento Coast, Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists Matera, Italy Matera - Basilicata, at Dusk Italy

Private · Naples

Basilicata: Luxury Tour of Undiscovered Italy

7 Days Campania · Basilicata · Puglia

The Overview

Overview

Our driver will meet you in Naples at a place of your convenience, the hotel, station or airport. From there, you will drive south. 

The tour begins with a drive along the gorgeous Cilento coast, stopping in Paestum to stretch your legs while you visit Italy's most impressive Greek temples. Spend the evening in the luxury of Basilicata's only 5-star hotel, enjoying incredible views out over the Tyrrhenian Sea while you relax on your private balcony.

Over the next couple of days, explore the surrounding area, the town of Maratea, the nearby Cave of Wonders, visit the monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer which looks down on the hotel, take a boat trip along the coast and visit a nearby island.

Transferring to Matera, your tour will take you through the mountains known as the Lucanian Dolomites, where you will visit two of Italy's most beautiful villages and have the opportunity to take the 'Flight of the Angels' between them!

In Matera, see the incredible transformation the town has made in the last 60 years, from one of Italy's poorest towns, described in 1950 by the then Prime Minister as 'a national disgrace', to a European Capital of Culture in 2019.  Wander freely amongst the caves, caved from the face of a ravine, where the townsfolk once lived in abject poverty, and which have, in more recent times, been a source of inspiration to artists and film-makers alike.

With special permission, a private guide will take you to Craco, a town with an equally tragic past. Due to the delicate nature of the town, no more than 35 people at a time can enter this ghost town that was hastily abandoned following an avalanche.

The tour will finish in Puglia, where you can take the train back to Naples or you may decide to explore another incredible region of the Italian south.

Duration

7 days

6 nights

Starting From

EUR 4,010

Per person, based on a minimum of 2 travelers

Tailored to your departure and group.

Despite its beautiful coastline and dramatic mountains, most of Basilicata remains undiscovered by visitors to Italy. This incredible week of luxury accommodation and private guides and drivers will introduce you to this amazing region, its stunning nature, isolated villages, abandoned ghost towns, and delicious cuisine and friendly locals. Explore Basilicata and its rich culture!

Regions
Campania · Basilicata · Puglia
Tour Style
Private
Departs From
Naples
Included Meals
Daily breakfast · 1 wine tasting
Day by day

Itinerary

Follow the route as you read. The map traces each day of the journey, moving with you from place to place.

Campania

Chapter 1 · Days 1–1

Welcome to Campania

The region of Campania on the south-west coast of Italy is home to one of the world's most famous and most beautiful coastlines - the Amalfi Coast. This spectacular area draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to enjoy the mildness of the climate, the exotic vegetation of palms, lemon and orange trees and the remarkable sandstone cliffs which…

Explore Campania
Basilicata

Chapter 2 · Days 2–6

Welcome to Basilicata

Basilicata is a beautiful and diverse region in Southern Italy, known as the 'breadbasket' of the south considering that most of southern Italy's wheat and other grains are produced here. It is home to unique and sprawling landscapes where rolling hills covered with crops give way to some of Italy's most ancient and important cities like Matera, Melfi,…

Explore Basilicata
Day 2

Basilicata, Maratea

Maratea & Monte San Biagio

  • Breakfast
Maratea & Monte San Biagio — photo 1 Maratea & Monte San Biagio — photo 2 Maratea & Monte San Biagio — photo 3 Maratea & Monte San Biagio — photo 4 Maratea & Monte San Biagio — photo 5

This morning, visit Maratea town on your own.  Explore the tiny streets, visit some of the 44 churches and relax with a cappuccino in Piazza Buraglia, the main square.

In the afternoon, hike or drive up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the world's fifth largest Christ statue, which stands on Monte San Biagio looking down on the town and enjoy more incredible views from the top.

Evening of leisure and overnight in Maratea.

Day 3

Calabria, Praia a Mare

Private Boat Tour of Dino Island

  • Breakfast
Private Boat Tour of Dino Island — photo 1 Private Boat Tour of Dino Island — photo 2 Private Boat Tour of Dino Island — photo 3 Private Boat Tour of Dino Island — photo 4 Private Boat Tour of Dino Island — photo 5

After breakfast, take a private boat trip out to nearby Dino Island.  The boat will take you inside some of the island's many tiny sea caves where, weather allowing, you can jump off the boat and go swimming.

The tour will take you along the wonderful coastline, where you can visit sea caves, swim in the clear waters, snorkel or dive to enjoy the area's rich fauna and stop at the lovely beaches you pass on the way.  The tour will end at the hotel's private port.

Overnight in Maratea.

Day 4

Basilicata

The Lucanian Dolomites

  • Breakfast
The Lucanian Dolomites — photo 1 The Lucanian Dolomites — photo 2 The Lucanian Dolomites — photo 3 The Lucanian Dolomites — photo 4 The Lucanian Dolomites — photo 5

This morning, check out of the hotel after breakfast, when the driver will pick you up.

Today's drive will take you through the Regional Gallipoli Cognato Park, also known as the Lucanian Dolomites, because of the extraordinary mountain range that runs through central Basilicata.  The arid wilderness is a strong contrast to the sea of Maratea, but no less stunning and home to numerous species of birds and wildlife.

Visit Campomaggiore Vecchia, one of Basilicata's two ghost towns, abandoned since an avalanche in 1885.

The mountains are also home to 2 of Italy's most beautiful villages: Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, hidden in the mountains, a harmonious balance of Medieval architecture and nature.  If you are feeling adventurous, you can take the zip-line, or 'angel flight' as it's known in Italian, between the 2 villages.

At the end of the end, arrive in Matera and the 4-star MH Matera Hotel.

Day 5

Basilicata, Matera

Matera

  • Breakfast
Matera — photo 1 Matera — photo 2 Matera — photo 3 Matera — photo 4 Matera — photo 5

Spend the day visiting the wonderful 'sassi' of Matera at your own pace. 

Until recently, this was one of Italy's poorest towns where the impoverished and illiterate population lived in homes excavated from the rocks, well into the 20th century.  Today, thanks to the careful, sensitive development of tourism, the ancient town is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, inspiration to artists and film makers and a joy to visit as it prepares to be a European Center of Culture in 2019.

Evening and overnight in Matera.

Day 6

Basilicata, Matera

Craco and Wine Tasting

  • Breakfast
  • Wine Tasting
Craco and Wine Tasting — photo 1 Craco and Wine Tasting — photo 2 Craco and Wine Tasting — photo 3 Craco and Wine Tasting — photo 4 Craco and Wine Tasting — photo 5

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your driver for your visit to Craco with a local guide.  

Craco is one of Italy's most famous ghost towns; having suffered for years due to soil erosion, the town was hastily abandoned in 1963 following a devastating landslide.  As you walk the streets heading for Torre Normanna, the town's highest point, you will see signs everywhere of this speedy evacuation.  The stories of the fate of the townspeople who could not return home make this a special and emotional visit to a unique part of Basilicata.

Before leaving Basilicata, we will visit a winery to discover some of the secrets of wine production in this mountainous region.

End the day in Bari, Puglia, where you will spend the night at the 5-star Boscolo Hotel on the sea front.

Puglia

Chapter 3 · Days 7–7

A day in Puglia

Imagine Italy as a shapely leg whose foot is shod by a Manolo Blahnik high-heeled boot.  Puglia (Apulia), rarely visited by English-speaking travelers, is Italy's elegant stiletto heel.  The southern reaches of the Salentine Peninsula are virtually surrounded by the immemorial waters of the Adriatic on the east, the Ionian Sea to the south east, and the…

Explore Puglia
Day 7

Puglia, Bari

Departure for Naples

  • Breakfast
Departure for Naples — photo 1 Departure for Naples — photo 2 Departure for Naples — photo 3 Departure for Naples — photo 4 Departure for Naples — photo 5

This morning, visit the old town center of Bari before you take the train back to Naples.

The journey ends

Farewell, Puglia

In the press

Where this journey has been featured

Italy Places Change Us, On Page One of National Geographic Traveller (UK), September 2026 National Geographic Traveller (UK) On Page One of National Geographic Traveller (UK), September 2026 September 2026 Open the September 2026 Italy issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) and you will find us on page one, with three words that sum up why we plan journeys: places change us. Read the story Featured in Magic Towns Italy Italy Vacation Specialists, Featured in Magic Towns Italy: The Story Behind Italy Vacation Specialists Magic Towns Italy Featured in Magic Towns Italy: The Story Behind Italy Vacation Specialists December 2025 Magic Towns Italy tells the story of our founder Jesse Andrews, who arrived in Calabria in 2003 with 50 euros and a teaching contract, and stayed to build Italy Vacation Specialists. Read the story Valiantceo Jesse Andrews, Our Founder in ValiantCEO: Why No Algorithm Can Replace Local Knowledge ValiantCEO Our Founder in ValiantCEO: Why No Algorithm Can Replace Local Knowledge August 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews talks to ValiantCEO about AI in travel: where it helps, where it falls short, and why trips built on local knowledge and real relationships matter more than ever. Read the story Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre at dusk Appetito Our Founder in Appetito: A Culinary Journey Through Calabria and Basilicata May 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews writes for Appetito on the food and coast of southern Italy, from the sea caves of Praia a Mare in Calabria to Maratea, the town of 44 churches in Basilicata. Read the story The skyline of Florence at dusk, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo Italian American Life with Frankie D Our Founder on the Italian American Life Podcast: 20 Years of Living and Breathing Italy March 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews joins Frankie D on Episode 144 to tell the story behind Italy Vacation Specialists, from a summer job in Calabria to planning custom trips across Italy. Read the story

All press & recognition

The details

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

  • Daily Buffet Breakfast
  • Wine Estate Visit
  • Private transfers with an English-speaking driver
  • 4 and 5-star accommodation
  • Private guides
  • Private Boat Trip

What's Not Included

  • Everything not clearly specified under “rates include”.
  • Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
  • Gratuities of any type
  • International fights
  • Local City Hotel Tax Paid Directly to Hotel
Your rooms

Where You'll Stay

Hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with a property of similar standard.

Hotel Santavenere

Hotel Santavenere

Basilicata, Maratea

The 5-star Santavenere Hotel features a fully equipped wellness centre, swimming pools, three restaurants, and a lovely seaside terrace. It is located...

Discover Property
MH Matera Hotel

MH Matera Hotel

Matera, Matera

MH Matera Hotel includes indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and one free 90-minute entry to the wellness centre. Set in a 5-hectare park, it is 10 minute...

Discover Property
In their words

Traveler Reviews

Emily and David Davison Travelled with us

My husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She planned the perfect trip with excellent private guides at all of our sites, professional drivers and lovely hotels. We arrived in Italy with all of our train and ferry reservations made by Ele, with tickets in hand. She was in touch with us daily throughout our trip to make sure that things were going smoothly. She was able to make a few changes to our itinerary as needed. We look forward to working with Ele again on our next trip and have put her in touch with another family member to help plan their trip as well.

Ron and Deb Crosby Travelled with us

Dear Guiseppe and Jesse,

We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future.

Hotels

1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were part of their family. I would recommend it to anyone and would specifically ask for it if we were to make a return visit.

2. Hotel La Baia in Monterosso was nice and it's location was very good especially for us older folks humping luggage from/to the train station.

3. Hotel Lucchesi in Florence- what can I say expect FANTASTIC. The rooftop view at sunset is well worth it. Again very friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend it to everyone.

Wine Tour

Money well spent. We had a great time overall. The driver Mario was OUTSTANDING. He had lots of local knowledge as well as about winemaking. USE HIM AGAIN!!!

The various wineries we visited on tour:

Altesino- fantastic and they were not cheap on their pouring. Great experience.

Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencion Sloaria- Again a great tour by one of the owner's daughters. We felt like we were the only thing on their mind although there were other customers there. A great way to complete the day.

Again we had a fantastic time and are very appreciative of everything you booked for us. We wish you continued success and if our travels should bring us back to Italy, we know who to call.

Leon and Michele Travelled with us

The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.

Bob & Sandy Travelled with us

Jesse & Giuseppe,

Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.

Where you are

Location

Italy Naples

Naples and beyond

7 days through Italy, with every stop chosen by the people who live here.

Where it starts

Naples

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a private tour, or will we join a group?

Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the only people on the itinerary are the ones you bring with you. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace of each day is yours to set.

Can the itinerary be changed to suit us?

Yes. What you see here is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Tell us how long you have, what you love and what you would rather skip, and we will reshape it around you. A slower morning, an extra night somewhere you fell for, a different region entirely.

How do we start planning?

Send us a note using the form on this page, or call us on 1-866-779-2565. A travel specialist replies within one business day, usually with a few questions of their own. There is no cost and no obligation in asking.

Are the hotels shown the ones we will stay in?

Usually, yes. Hotels are subject to availability, and if one is full on your dates we will replace it with a property of a similar standard and tell you before you book. Never a surprise on arrival.

When should we book?

The earlier the better, particularly for travel between May and September, when the best small hotels and the guides worth having are taken first. That said, we have put together beautiful trips at short notice, so ask and we will tell you honestly what is still possible for your dates.

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