I'd appreciate some guidance for our trip to Italy in about two weeks. We've been to the usual places visited by tourists in Southern Italy, including Apulia & Sicily. Researching a bit it seemed that we could visit both the Basilicata and Calabria regions in about a week, not as much time as desired but all the time we would have. Is that feasible or should we limit the itinerary to one or the other regions?

We like to stay at local places [inns, B&Bs etc] and eat local foods etc., view sights [visiting fascinating towns, Magna Grecian ruins and boats in harbor are of interest to me as a photographer] and enjoy the country in general.

What I think we will plan is to train down from FCO to the general area, rent a car and travel around for 5-6 days and then return to Rome. We could stay in one place and do day trips or travel around in a rough circle/oval through the region, depending on lodging opportunities. Any thoughts on this plan??? Thanks!!!

For Basilicata, you could base yourself in Matera. It is an amazing town with a fascinating history. The traditional houses/cave dwellings called sassi are beautiful and something you won't find anywhere else. You could easily spend several days there. Some hotels let you stay in actual sassi; we stayed at a hotel called Le Monacelle that was very economical and pretty. From Matera you can visit other towns in the region and there is also amazing hiking in the area.

I love Basilicata! (I'll be exploring there myself in Nov.)
I would suggest picking up your car right at the airport in Rome though - car rentals tend to be much cheaper and it's easier to find an automatic (if you want one)...also, depending on where you are heading, train travel in the region can be SLOW...I always find it faster to just get in the car and go (it takes me 3 1/2 hours to get to the Campania/Basilicata border from Rome FCO)

Thanks so much, especially for the idea of driving time. After working with the maps and then looking at autoroute etc. We also decided to rent a car at FCO and then just drive off....I think going about 3-4 hours max. Is fine.

Next Q - we can do either base in one place and do day trips etc. Or perambulate - drive around, stop when and where we want and see things on a circuitous route. I would imagine the latter wouldn't be too hard - we don't need fancy digs, just clean and neat and 'local'....

Thanks so much.

Pick just two main areas in both regions and use it as base. You have already been suggested about Matera, say for 3 nights, consider another bsae in Calabria and elect a base in the area too. For the return flight, consider takin an airplane from Reggio di Calabria to Rome. The Salerno-Reggiocalabria is the slowest and most difficult autoastrada of Italy, so better to limit your trips on it!

I just got back from Basilicata (again). I have family there south of Potenza so we go several times a year. One major thing to be aware of when traveling in that region is that it is very mountainous and it will always take you longer than you think to get anywhere. Trust me! Roads are narrow and very windy in much of the region.

Matera truly is magnificent and unlike anything I've ever seen. Every time you think we've reached the end of the Sassi, you round another bend in the cliff and a whole other section opens up before you. One evening on our last trip there it rained and it was so mystical looking with the mist and lights. We've stayed twice at Residenza San Giorgio and like it a lot; they're apartments so you get more space and the owner is very nice.

You may want to take a day trip to the Lucanian Dolomites - they're gorgeous! We visited for the first time this past week...I'll be blogging about it this week. Bryan braved the Volo del Angelo!

I love the cucina lucana...fresh, hearty home-cooking. Enjoy!

If you have not done so, you may want to read Carlo Levi's "Christ Stopped at Eboli" which deals with his expulsion to Lucano. If the book turns you on as it did us, then a day trip to Aliano would be worthwhile. Aliano is the town where Levi was exiled.