In recent years, the phenomenon of “One Euro Homes” has spread across Italy, as rural villages across “il Bel Paese” struggle to curb the steady population decline that is endemic in a country with constant urban flight and one of the world’s lowest birth rates.   But as these cheap property schemes have become a dime-a-dozen, there is one town in...

2024 has been designated as the year of Roots Tourism in Italy, a concept that seeks to bridge the gap between Italians abroad and their ancestral lands. Unlike traditional tourists, roots tourists are motivated by a desire to connect with their origins, immerse themselves in the local culture, and possibly even reclaim or purchase ancestral homes,...

A house purchase is often one of the trickiest life experiences to negotiate, requiring huge deliberations on location before spending weeks searching for the right property. Finding somewhere in another country is even more fraught with difficult decisions. Unless, of course, you’re Paul Millet. In which case, you land in Italy for the first time,...

In the middle of Basilicata, perched on a rocky hill where the characteristic calanchi stand out, that are deep furrows in the ground along the slope of the hill, and surrounded by a vast countryside dotted with olive trees, here lies the picturesque ghost town of Craco. That's right, today our journey takes us to this village that has been forsake...

Spring is the best time to discover the beauty of Italy's Basilicata region. And seven different walking tours, suitable for all levels of physical fitness, will allow visitors to explore the territory known in ancient times as Lucania, accompanied by the guide 'Camminare in Basilicata' (Walking in Basilicata), which can be easily consulted by thos...

Maratea sits high, overlooking the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. It mixes nature's wonders with man's designs. This hill village, with its forests and sea views, offers peace in Italy's south. Stay long or stop by on a tour, Maratea's beauty, its beaches, marina, and the hilltop Christ statue, will stick with you. Maratea shines beyond its looks. They...

A beautiful Italian town carved from a mountainside is so stunning to look at it's been immortalised as a backdrop for more than 20 films. The good looks of Matera, in the less well known Basilicata region of Italy, are thanks to its unusual limestone architecture and a natural gorge that surrounds the settlement. Now home to 60,000 people, Matera...

La Dolce Vita Orient Express announced that it will soon be ready for guests to book tickets for what could arguably be called the most luxurious train journey in the world. In a press release shared with Travel + Leisure, the train operator shared it will open its virtual ticket window in April, with the train's specific run dates coming later thi...

The most important monument to see in Maratea, the beautiful Basilicata village in the Potenza province, is the Statue of the Redeemer or Christ the Redeemer, a sculpture placed on the top of Mount San Biagio. It was made with a special mixture of cement mixed with flakes of Seravezza marble by Florentine artist Bruno Innocenti between 1963 and 196...

Equestrian enthusiasts will love a vacation on horseback in Italy: seeing the Bel Paese from the saddle is truly a unique and unforgettable experience. From north to south and on its islands, Italy boasts innumerable areas for excursions on horesback, ideal for discovering beautiful and unique places. Nature lovers can explore natural parks, immers...