MATERA & ALBEROBELLO: UN WEEK - END DA CARTOLINA

About the destination: Matera is the capital of the Matera province in the Basilicata region of Italy. It boasts the sassi, well-preserved rock-cut settlements that are a World Heritage site and one of Southern Italy's many important attractions. The town center, the oldest part of town, was built on the edge of a bare plateau where a high rocky mount looms over the spot where a valley descends to the long deep river-ravine. This is where you'll now find the town cathedral and the fairly typical Italian town center. The town's main historical museum, the Museo Nazionale Ridola, contains exhibits from distant eras of Basilicata's past, from prehistory to the Roman age (closed Monday mornings; a small entrance charge). Nearby, Palazzo Lanfranchi houses the Museo Nazionale d'Arte Medievale e Moderna della Regione Basilicata - an art museum incorporating the Pinacoteca D'Errico, which has lots of religious paintings by southern painters and, more interestingly, the Centro Carlo Levi, which contains a range of paintings by the twentieth-century artist and writer who is a part of this region's modern history.

About the destination: Alberobello, a small town in Italy’s Puglia region, is famous for its fairytale trulli: whitewashed, conical-roofed stone houses that look like they belong in a storybook. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town’s historic districts—Rione Monti and Aia Piccola—are packed with these unique dwellings, some dating back several centuries. Wandering the narrow lanes, you’ll find trulli converted into shops, tiny museums, cafés, and cozy guesthouses, all preserving their original charm. Begin your visit in Rione Monti, the more touristic quarter, where over a thousand trulli climb the hillside. Climb up to the Belvedere terrace for a panoramic view of the clustered cones, especially beautiful in the soft evening light. Nearby, the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo open to the public, offers a glimpse into traditional local life, with period furniture and household tools showing how families once lived in these compact spaces. For a quieter, more authentic atmosphere, head to Aia Piccola, where residents still live in many of the trulli. Here you can soak up daily life, chat with locals, and take photographs without the crowds. Don’t miss the trullo church of Sant’Antonio, with its distinctive cone-topped façade, and consider joining a guided tour to learn about the construction techniques and symbolism behind the painted roof symbols. Alberobello also makes an excellent base for exploring the wider Valle d’Itria. Combine your stay with visits to nearby white towns such as Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Ostuni, or take a day trip to the Adriatic coast for a swim. In the evenings, sample Puglian specialties in local trattorias—orecchiette pasta, fresh seafood, and rich olive oil—paired with regional wines like Primitivo or Negroamaro, rounding off your stay in this uniquely enchanting town.