BASILICATA COAST TO COAST

Transcription

1 BASILICATA COAST TO COAST May 18th - May 28th 2015 A new, but very old, area to discover together! Located in the arch of the boot, Basilicata contains the largest National Park in Italy. Basilicata formed part of the ancient civilization of Magna Grecia, which ruled the area centuries before the Roman Empire expanded. Being one of the poorest regions has helped to keep much of the natural beauty, ancient monuments, medieval architecture and culinary customs intact. We ll travel from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea as we explore this interesting region. Monday, May 18 th Depart the USA Tuesday May 19th Arrival: Bari transfer to Metaponto After a long day of traveling, our welcoming agriturismo is the perfect place to unwind. The masseria, or farm, has belonged to the Graziadei family since 1600; the architecture of the vast curved brick hall and the lovely gardens reflect the pride that Mimma feels for her family s historical estate which produces its own wine and olive oil as well as cultivating citrus and fruit orchards. We ll have a wine tasting (memorable wines using local varietals like Primitivo, Aglianico, Fiano, Greco knowingly blended with merlot and cabernet) with our welcome dinner tonight. Sleep Metaponto: Relais Masseria Cardillo (D) Wednesday May 20 th Bernalda This morning we ll take country roads to the pretty town of Bernalda, located between the Bradano and Barsento rivers. It boasts a 15 th c. Aragonese castle, and a 16 th c. mother church as well as boasting the birthplace of Francis Ford Coppola s father. During our stroll we ll stop for a coffee in the lovely café attached to his ultra-luxurious hotel. We ll then continue to Metapontum, one of the better-known sites of the Magna Grecia. Here we ll find 15 columns from the Greek temple dedicated to Hera, built near the illustrious school of Pythagoras, which flourished for 200 years. They ll be a stop to dip our toes in some of the miles of clear clean water and soft white sandy beaches of the Ionian coastline. Having worked up an appetite, we ll return to our agriturismo to cook local specialties with Rosa, the smiling, energetic cook. Sleep Metaponto: Relais Masseria Cardillo (B, L, D) Thursday -May 21st Craco This morning we ll visit the evocative ghost town of Craco, perched strikingly at 1200 ft. among steep rocky crags. The surrounding area is known for the lunar appearance of calanchi: unique vegetation-less mounds formed by intensive erosion. Already inhabited by the Greeks in the 8 th century BC, Craco had been continuously inhabited over the

2 centuries until landslides started claiming the town. Between 1895 and 1925 threequarters of its population emigrated to South America and New York. For reasons of safety, in 1963 the entire population was forced to move to a nearby valley. The town has been used as a backdrop in numerous films. We continue on to Rabatana, driving past enormous fertile fields of olives, oranges and apricot trees. Tonight s dinner is in the hotel, enriched by a poem recited for us in dialect by Paolo, the romantic, visionary owner of the hotel, hence the name: Palace of the Poets. Sleep Rabatana: Palazzo dei Poeti (B, L, D) Friday May 22 nd S. Maria d Anglona/ Rabatana The name Rabatana derives from the Arabic word Rabhadi : borgo or hamlet. Originally a fortified settlement, it is situated on a high point above the town of Tursi that is literally circled on every side by deep and inaccessible ravines, and is topped by the ruins of an Ostrogoth castle dating to the year 500. This morning we ll explore our minute abandoned settlement and the village that sprawls below it on foot with a local gentleman who knows everyone, cats included. We ll then drive to visit the sanctuary and national monument of Santa Maria d Anglona. This joyful cathedral was built of tufa and travertine between 1000 and 1200 over a smaller church dating back to the year 500. It has many Romanesque carvings, and traces of colorful 14 th century frescoes. Sleep Rabatana: Palazzo dei Poeti (B, L, D) Saturday May 23rd Parco Nazionale di Pollino Today we drive west into the large green forests of the Pollino National Park. We ll have another cooking lesson with a colorful chef and in the afternoon explore the historic center of Rotonda, a medieval town that winds up the cliffs overlooking the Mercure valley. A delicious dinner awaits us in our simple, family run mountain hotel in the neighboring town on Vigianello. Sleep Vigianello: Locanda San Francesco (B, L, D) Sunday May 24 th Maratea This morning we ll visit a cheesemaker and see how the flavorful local cheeses are made. As we continue west the landscape is breathtaking we drive along a high ridge with mountain ranges in every direction, where lucky cows and wild horses are grazing freely in hilly pastures. We ll stop for a coffee in the little mountain town of San Severino Lucano on our way to Maratea, our home for the next two nights. Sleep Maratea (B, L, D)

3 Monday May 25 th - Maratea/Redentore Overlooking the town of Maratea is a 65 ft. white statue of the Redentore (a direct copy of the one in Rio de Janiero), who, with enormous outspread arms gestures to the stunning 360 degree view of the sparkling Golfo di Policastro: the coast, the mountains and the heavens. We ll explore the charming colorful town of Maratea this morning, known as the town of 44 churches. We ll stop for lunch (and a gelato of course) in town before returning to our hotel and have time to walk down to the beach before heading to the small port nearby for a delicious fish dinner. Sleep Maratea: (B, L, D) Tuesday May 26th: Santa Maria Castellabate/Paestum/Pizza As we follow the coastline north this morning we ll arrive at the place where a group of Dorians, expelled from the city of Sybaris, founded the colony of Poseidonia in 650 BC. This Greek settlement was renamed Paestum when the Romans took it over in 273 BC. It was abandoned shortly after that date. Shrouded in mysterious legend, Paestum was rediscovered accidentally in the 18 th century in the middle of what was then an overgrown tropical forest. Here are some of the best-preserved and most beautiful Doric temples in existence today. We will wander the magnificent site and visit the small but important adjoining museum. Our home for the next two nights is in the tiny town of Santa Maria Castellabate, where our hotel overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. Dinner will be fabulous pizza in a local trattoria. Sleep Santa Maria Castellabate: Villa Sirio (B, L, D) Wednesday May 27th: Santa Maria Castellabate/Mozzarella Buffalo are grazing in the fields and they produce the best mozzarella that exists! The time has come to investigate the legend of the Bufala (buffalo milk) mozzarella. We ll visit a marvelous cheese-making farm and see how their heavenly organic, biodynamic mozzarella is made, and then have lunch right there so we can taste their divine products. Mozzarella will never be the same! We ll have free time this afternoon to wander with the locals in our picturesque port town before the farewell dinner in our hotel. Sleep Santa Maria Castellabate: Villa Sirio (B,L,D) Wednesday May 28th: Departure from Naples Transfer to the Naples Airport for departure today. Buon Viaggio e Arrivederci!

4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS DALIANES TRAVEL SERVICE CST BASILICATA COAST TO COAST TOUR MAY 18 MAY 28, 2015 TOUR: $3975 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (Cash Discount price is $ ) Single Occupancy tour rate is $ (Cash Discount price is $ ) The above prices are based on the exchange rate as of January If the exchange rate increases the increase will be reflected in the final payment. INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST: Henry and Carol Robertson will personally escort the tour. Lise Apatoff, tour guide, will guide and accompany the group throughout the tour. *9 nights lodging in boutique hotels or inns with private facilities including taxes and fees. *Group arrival and departure transfers. *Sightseeing as per the itinerary via private motor coach with English speaking guide throughout the tour. *Meals Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 9 dinners, wine and food tastings while on tour. *Cooking lessons and cooking demonstrations as indicated in the itinerary. *Admissions to museums and galleries, church and monastery donations. *All tips to hotel and restaurant staff and motor coach driver gratuity. NOT INCLUDED: Round trip airfare, meals other than those indicated in the itinerary, trip cancellation insurance, alcohol and beverages other than mentioned, hotel accommodations at an airport hotel before or after the tour, airport porterage, items of a personal nature. Pre or Post tour or hotel arrangements will be assessed a service fee based on request. Please Note: If you arrive or depart after the group arrivals or departures we will make arrangements for your transportation at your own expense. LIMITS OF LIABILITY Dalianes World Wide Travel Service, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurants and other services from various independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Dalianes World Wide Travel Service, Inc. in any way. Dalianes World Wide Travel Service, Inc has no right to control their operations and CANNOT THEREFORE BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY PROPERTY DAMAGE OR OTHER LOSS which may occur due to (1) wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of a supplier, its employees and others not under the direct control of Dalianes World Wide Travel Service, Inc. or (2) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of such a supplier. Dalianes World Wide Travel Service, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any itinerary or any part of it to make such alternations in the itinerary as it deems necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or retain as a member of any tour any person at any time, and to pass on to tour members any expenditure occasioned by delays or events beyond its control.

5 RESERVATIONS: A $ per person deposit is required with your reservation. FINAL PAYMENT WILL BE DUE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 10, CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY Because this is a private tour, I/we understand that all funds including the deposit are non-refundable. Cancellation Insurance is available to protect your funds in the event of covered reasons. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. BASILICATA COAST TO COAST TOUR RESERVATION FORM MAY 18 28, 2015 TOUR PARTICIPANT NAME ADDRESS YOUR ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER PLEASE INCLUDE A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH DEPOSIT Accept trip protection insurance. Please call or for a premium quote. The premium should be included with your deposit. Decline Travel Protection Insurance I/We have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the tour as printed here and in the accompanying printed information. Signature Signature Please return this form along with your deposit and photocopy of your passport. Please make checks payable to Dalianes Travel Service and mail to: Dalianes Travel 522 F Street, Eureka CA Atttention: Carol Robertson (home # of Henry and Carol) info@dalianes.com