The conference and summer school will be held in Basilicata, a region of Italy also known as Lucania, is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia (Puglia) to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the northwest and Calabria in the southwest, and a longer one to the southeast on the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea between Calabria in the southwest and Apulia in the northeast. The region can be thought of as the "instep" of Italy, with Calabria functioning as the "toe" and Apulia the "heel".

Discover Basilicata “Italy’s secret garden” http://discoverbasilicata.com/

Matera is best known for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the “Sassi”, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. A stunning backdrop of stairways and narrow lanes, cave-houses carved out of the rock, rock churches with beautiful frescoes, and elegant buildings. Matera is the European Capital of Culture 2019 and offers plenty of attractions: you can visit one of its museums or go for a walk in the ancient town, steeped in history and art. It is well worth visiting the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, which consists of more than 150 rock churches, filled with ancient spirituality. In Matera you can also taste traditional cuisine of Southern Italy, rich in typical products, and the flavourful Matera bread (IGP).

Thirty-five kilometers of golden, fine sandy beaches and wonderful, vast stretches of sand: here the blue of the sky and the sea merge in the dazzling light of the Mediterranean. This is the Ionian Coast, a place steeped in history, mythological heroes and gods, philosophers and warriors of the ancient civilization of “Magna Grecia”. Home to sea-turtles, the coastline provides the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday, surrounded by natural wonders and a wealth of ancient Greek ruins.  The Ionian Coast offers plenty of activities for sport lovers, such as golf, sailing, surfing, canoeing and diving, just to mention some of them. You will find a variety of accommodation facilities, fully equipped to suit all travellers’ needs.

 

This is an image of the archeological park in Metaponto a town of greek origin on the Ionian Coast, whose name ?Metaponto'  is made by the two greek words (Meta & Ponto) a place steeped in history, mythological heroes and gods, philosophers and warriors of the ancient civilization of “Magna Grecia”. Home to sea-turtles, the coastline provides the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday, surrounded by natural wonders and a wealth of ancient Greek ruins.

 

Several protected areas, two national parks and two regional parks cover approximately 30% of Basilicata, offering visitors a variety of itineraries, sport and outdoor activities, cultural events and festivals.Pollino National Park is Italy’s largest park, a huge green area dotted with small villages. It is an ideal location for exciting excursions to see the Bosnian Pine (Pino Loricato), a thousand-year tree that grows only in this area. The Appennino Lucano Val d’Agri Lagonegrese National Park includes territory belonging to 29 municipalities. It is nestled between two large natural reserves: Pollino National Park and Cilento National Park. Located within the Regional Park of Gallipoli Cognato are the craggy peaks of the Lucanian Dolomites, where ancient arboreal rites, like the traditional ‘Marriage of the trees’, still take place today. Here you can also experience the “Flight of the Angel”, an exciting zip-wire ride that stretches between two villages.

In Basilicata, where emotions are endless, you can even experience the thrill of flying. In the breathtaking landscape of the Lucanian Dolomites, you will be travelling at very high speeds and heights of up to 400 m, suspended on a 1000 m wire that stretches between two mountain-top towns, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, among “Italy’s most beautiful villages”.
If you want to share the experience, you can go to San Costantino Albanese, a little village within Pollino National Park, and try the “Flight of the Eagle”, a flying adventure for up to four people to enjoy together. You will be harnessed into a four seat glider, which makes an exhilarating free fall descent down the valley along a 1000 m steel cable, at speeds of up to 90 kmph.  A safe adrenaline rush for a family-friendly experience!

Basilicata is a land rich in culinary traditions and unique flavours. Typical products bearing the DOP mark (PDO: Protected Designation of Origin) and IGP mark (PGI: Protected Geographical Indication) are used to prepare delicious dishes that are a perfect blending of traditional and contemporary ingredients.

One of the greatest Italian red wines, the Aglianico del Vulture DOC, is produced in Basilicata. The typical cellars where this exceptional red wine is produced are well worth a visit. There are a number of events and festivals dedicated to the Aglianico wine.