5Matera
Matera is one of Italy’s most unusual destinations. In southern Italy, the historic Sassi neighborhoods are carved directly into the rock, creating a landscape that looks unlike almost anywhere else in Europe.
Cave homes, churches and stairways cover the slopes, creating a fascinating mixture of natural rock and human architecture.
Many former cave dwellings have been restored and transformed into boutique hotels, restaurants and cultural spaces. Staying overnight in one of these historic cave properties can make a visit even more memorable.
Matera is proof that some of Italy’s most fascinating treasures are found away from the country’s traditional tourist circuit.
