Palazzo Margherita

Region

Nestled between Puglia and Calabria, Basilicata comprises two provinces; Potenza, which is also the region's capital and Matera, which is known for its ancient complex of cave dwellings. With two wonderful coastlines, the Ionian coast and the Tyrrhenian, and a history dating all the way back to the Palaeolithic age, Basilicata naturally and perfectly combines history and beauty. The two coastlines of the region offer diverse and different beaches - from pebbles and rocky terrain to more sandy and refined beaches.

Matera, built on a bare plateau high above the valley and ravine, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is historically and culturally beguiling. The town's Sassi districts are renowned for being the oldest Paleolithic settlement in the Mediterranean region, with cave houses reputedly continuously inhabited by humans for 35,000 years. Furthermore, the town is also well known for its grand Duomo, the museum of Modern Art of Basilicata, Palazzo Lanfranchi and more. Of particular note is the Crypt of the Original Sin, known as the Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art, with its cycle of frescoes dating back to the 9th Century.

In Potenza province, head out to the coast in the west and discover the comune known as Maratea, with a town of the same name at its helm. Maratea is a delightful hilltop town, known as the Pearl of the Tyrhenian, and, although popular with the Italians, is far less developed for tourism than the Amalfi Coast. A pretty harbour which attracts many to anchor down in their super yachts, a charming medieval village centre, an enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer and many small coves for sea and beach lovers, all set in an area of incredible natural beauty, are just some of the reasons that Basilicata should be very high on anyone's list to experience within Italy.

Local Area

Palazzo Margherita is situated in Bernalda, a small hilltop town in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy, which is relatively unknown outside of Italy and where the culture, food and wine remain authentic. It is just 15 minutes from the coast, where miles of white sand beaches border the Ionian Sea. The townspeople offer a genuine hospitality that makes every visitor feel more like a friend or neighbour than a tourist. It is said that anyone who visits Bernalda cannot resist returning.

Bernaldas's trattorias, along with those in nearby towns, exemplify the hearty, seasonal cooking of Basilicata: the multi-course antipasti, home-made pastas, fresh produce, grilled meats, fish and seafood. Nearby agritourism welcome visitors to further explore the region's artisanal foods. Guests can visit and dine at an ancient Italian “masseria” or farmhouse. Also, trips can be made to local wineries, where delicious and full-bodied red wines are produced from the Aglianico grape, which thrives in the volcanic soils of Basilicata.

Just 40 minutes from Bernalda is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera, where ancient cave dwellings, known as Sassi, have been reclaimed as picturesque churches, homes, museums and restaurants. Matera, recently named as the European Capital of Culture in Italy, is also home to MUSMA, the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture. Small mountain villages dot Basilicata's sculpted hills, offering an experience of life untouched by tourism. Just across the border in neighboring Puglia, the town of Grottaglie is famous for its ceramics.

Two eighteen-hole golf courses are less than a half-hour drive from the Palazzo. Tennis courts are also nearby. For hikers, the Pollino National Park, Italy's largest, offers 5 spectacular mountain trails and wildlife an hour's drive from the Palazzo. Within 20 minutes of the Palazzo is the sandy beach of Marina di Pisticci which extends along the cobalt-blue shores of the Ionian Sea, as this stretch of the Mediterranean is known. The hotel can pack you a picnic and drop you off at a secluded beach for a morning or a day; or you can decide to dine there experiencing a characteristic meal with fresh fish caught by local fisherman.