An incredible on foot adventure. From Basilicata with its Sassi di Matera, to Apulia and Parco Alta Murgia. The slow journey of Tourists for Future keeps going in a natural landscape deep in the local heritage and green hospitality
Our friends of Tourists for Future have embarked on a slow journey to discover the most authentic and sustainable part of Italy. Their adventure started from Sicily and crossed Calabria. Once in Basilicata Valentina, Francesco, Cristiano, Mauro e Stefania lead us to the discovery of “Cammino Materano”. This is a route that links two regions. Everything here is about nature, tradition and smells of life. Let’s find out it together!
Sassi di Matera: from Dishonor to Unesco Heritage
Now it is the time for Basilicata. Our friends of Tourists for Future leave the last Calabrian village, and take a train to the mysterious and ancient Lucania, towards Matera precisely. In the first place, Sassi di Matera were considered a National Dishonor for Italy until the 70s. Then, in 1993, the place was elected UNESCO Heritage , and later became European Capital of Culture for the 2019.
While walking through the city and observing the Old Town they can admire the stones that have made History. The smell of poverty and old objects gives them the perception of extreme beauty of place. Suddenly, they realize this will be a journey between space and time, and it will drag them 50 years back.
The houses among Sassi are small, cold and carved out of the soft tuff rock. Inside, they can still hear the chattering of big families, who lived there until ‘50s. Misery and bad health conditions characterized their lives, without running water too. Definitely, these are the wise words by the archeologist Nicola Taddonio of Sassi Tour.
At the end, tired travelers decide to recover at L’albero di Eliana. An eco-b&b in the heart of the city, which is very careful to sustainability. Here they are welcomed by the owner Eliana who is the soul of the place.
From Matera to Altamura: Cammino Materano upside-down
A new day has come. The hot sun ignites the country paths where our travelers are walking. The destination of the day is Apulia, and the perfect landscape is the natural view of the Cammino Materano. The route is about 170 km from Bari to Matera decorated by the beauties of the two regions heritage: small medieval villages, or churches, but also the typical trulli and the ancient masserie.
Encouraged by the strength of the tour’s uniqueness, they decide to follow this route in a “tenacious and opposite way”.
The first stop on this route is Masseria La Fiorita. The farm was born in 1988, and now is managed by Giuseppe and Marialaura, who pay special attention to the biological agriculture. A perfect place that makes feel them at home.
Next stop: Altamura, Apulia!
Apulia, here we are! Altamura welcomes them, and its alleys with the color of the natural stone and the scent of the freshly baked bread. Among these streets, the 5 travelers explore claustri. The old common courts set for the daily life.
The treasures of Via Peuceta
They keep walking, still a little way to go and several places to discover. The Via Peuceta shows an astonishing scenery for this endless walk. However, on the route our friends find Masseria Scalera. At the doors of Santeramo in Colle deep in the Alta Murgia there is the farm of Vito and Antonietta, a refuge for pilgrims who can attend to the fresh cheeses’ production.
Not only cheeses confuse visitors, but also the incredible taste of traditional Apulian panzerotti catches them all. It is time to leave, the sun is high. With a new member of the group, Vito’s dog Frida, the 5 friends head towards a new destination.
Cassano delle Murge: breathtaking landscape and orecchiette
The main characteristics of the Cammino Materano are for sure the immeasurable cultivated fields, the stone walls and the good food of masserie. After visiting several places such as: Picciano, Gravina and Altamura our friends arrive in Cassano delle Murge. Where they learn all the secrets to prepare perfect orecchiete surrounded by Parco Alta Murgia.
After that, the strong sun of South Italy and the rare sources of water didn’t help the visitors during their trip. For this reason, their advice is to undertake this route in spring, autumn or even in winter, with a large supply of water.
In conclusion, this was another episode of Tourists for Future. So, don’t stop following us, and find out the slow journey through the wonders of extraordinary Italy.
