Basilicata

Discover Basilicata with Italy Vacation Specialists

Explore the Cities and Towns of Basilicata

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Over 20 years of crafting exceptional journeys across Basilicata

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Our team lives and works here, offering insight beyond the landmarks.

Tailored for You

Every itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your pace, from private dawn tours to intimate vineyard tastings.

Overview

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, Maratea and Melf.    

Many of these towns and villages have recently been featured in major motion pictures. For example, films like the Passion of Christ, Wonderwoman and James Bond, were some of the most important who used this region's towns and cities as their backdrops, however there have been dozens of others.  In fact, Rai (which is Italy's largest broadcast station) has their largest Italian office in Potenza, the regions capital city.  

The name 'Basilicata'  takes it name from the Latin "Basileus", meaning the 'land of kings', for it was here in this region where Federico II, known as the 'King of the Two Sicilies' which pre-dated what is now Italy and Sicily created his most important fortresses and numerous castles in towns like Melfi, Lagopesole, Venosa and others.   

Traveling through this region is like taking a tour through human history, thought it is not only the incredible history that may encourage you to visit here.  The incredible landscapes, lakes, monasteries and the coast of Maratea are remarkable natural areas to explore.  

Catch a brief overview of some of the remarkable landscapes, cities and towns in this video here:
 

 

Each city, town and area, even within this small region is unique and tide to the traditions of the land which date back to eras Before Christ.

Each village in Basilicata, even now, in 2020 hangs on to its local culture, customs and traditions which are celebrated throughout the year in a number of unique celebrations 'sagra' or festivals which celebrate the harvesting of grapes for the incredible wines which are the end result, the mushrooms and 'tartufo' / truffles, the sweet red peppers, asperagus, grains which create the wonderful bread and pasta and many other local products.  

If you let your imagination run wild while exploring the countryside of Basilicata, it is soon evident that this is a land where nature takes first priority as protector and provider; and where ancient customs and myths never die out. Basilicata is where the sacred mountains dominate the skyline in solemnity and grandeur and begin their trek toward the Italian Peninsula. Italy is, without question, realized to its fullest extent in Basilicata; “a land of endless wonders between earth, sky, stars and trees”.

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Basilicata

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“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 p”
[Read More] Ron and Deb Crosby
“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.”
[Read More] Leon and Michele
“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we”
[Read More] Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there, like in every place”
[Read More] Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per”
[Read More] Jo Ann West
“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.”
[Read More] Carol Carson
“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!”
[Read More] Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the sh”
[Read More] Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 trips f”
[Read More] Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent
“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n”
[Read More] Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group

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