Just a stone’s throw away from Puglia and Naples lies the lesser-know region of Basilicata a genuine surprise for travellers looking for off-the-beaten-track destinations. Basilicata still offers a real taste of Italy, stress-free lifestyle, guaranteed sunshine, deliciously fresh food and excellent wine.  The northern part of region is called Vulture, from mount Vulture, an extinct volcano that rises 1360 above sea level. This is the most significant viticulture area in Basilicata, known above all for the Aglianico del Vulture wine. 

The region is characterised  by imposing castles such as the recently restored one of Lagopesole attributed to Frederick II. Not  far is the town Melfi,  also with of a beautiful Norman castle built by Roberto il Guiscardo, duke of Apulia and Calabria. The castle  contains an archaeological museum. Then Monticchio, and its two lakes, with the same name, at 660 metres above sea level and which were originally two craters separated by a narrow tongue of land. Protected by a very thick green curtain of beeches, oaks, chestnut trees, alders, ash trees, maples and lime trees, here we have perhaps the most unique and picturesque sights of the Vulture. The fauna of the waters and the woods are no less numerous and boast rarities of every species.  If you are thermal bath fan Rapolla  spa is  famous for therapeutic and prevention purposes. Mud baths are also used for cosmetic purposes. Not far off in San Fele you will be able to visit beautiful waterfalls.

The food in Vulture is really special, genuine and simple.  First courses are the most carefully prepared dishes by the chefs: Acquasale, is a mixture of eggs, oil and onion with stale bread. The homemade pasta is a constant and is the main ingredient of many recipes, such as orecchiette alla materana and strangolapreti (fettuccine pasta in the shape of sticks) and cavatelli with turnip tops.  As for wines you should not miss the ‘Aglianico del Vulture’ one of the finest wines in the region to which the d.o.c. mark was assigned in 1971. The volcanic soil gives the wine its rare and greatly appreciated characteristic flavour. Among the finest Italian and European wines, Aglianico del Vulture is produced from vines introduced during the times of Magna Grecia. Its ruby red or bright burgundy colour takes on orange highlights with ageing. In summertime there is a festival called  ‘Aglianica’ organized in the Vulture area villages. Exhibitions, seminars, tastes, tasting laboratories, meetings show the best of the ‘Aglianico’ wine.

Day one

Departure from Bari airport at 9 am, arrival at Rionero around  11.30. Ceck-in at a country house. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit to the Norman castles of Lagosepole and the old town. Lunch.  Wine lesson no. 1 with our professional sommelier  on the history of wine and its cultural importance, main vines of  Basilicata, wine cultivation techniques,  which glasses to use. Dinner in a local  restaurant with the tasting of two wines. 

Day Two

Visit to the medieval town of Melfi and the Monticchio lakes and a walk in the woods.  Wine lesson no. 2 (how to breath the scent of wine, typical scents of white and red wines, how to sharpen your sense,  identifying aroma and  bouquet). Visit  secret cellar no.1 with guided tasting. Dinner in a local  restaurant.

Day Three

Visit to the town and spa of Rappola  and  the old town. Visit no. 2  to one of our secret cellars. Wine lesson no.3  (tasting wine, the senses of tasting, the link beetwen wine and territory).  Lunch, visit no. 3 to one of our secret cellars built in caves. Wine tasting. Return to Bari.

Before breakfast, our more energetic guests are welcome to join us on a 40 minute slow jog among olive groves and vineyards.

The tour requires a minimum of 8 participants.