THE TERRITORY
BASILICATA
UNKNOWN AND SURPRISING, DEMANDING AND HOSPITABLE, AS AUTHENTIC AND GENUINE AS ITS INHABITANTS
With just over 500,000 inhabitants in about 10,000 square kilometres, Basilicata is a wild, low-anthropized land, with marvellous natural landscapes. It is one of the least populated and known regions in Italy, still difficult to locate.
A craggy land, poor in terms of economics, but very rich in natural resources: water, forests, gullies, hills, wildlife, biodiversity, oil. Bordering Campania, Calabria and Puglia, Basilicata has always been considered a remote place, due to its orographic characteristics.
Mountainous to the west, hilly to the east, its village are often perched on hilltops and promontories between river valleys, that is to say that in ancient time travelling and interchanging was very difficult. Because of - or thanks to - this geographical condition, many places have preserved customs and traditions with a rare authenticity.
FOOD AND WINE
Food and wine in Basilicata are absolutely delicious! High quality raw materials and jealously protected processing methods have allowed Lucanian food excellences to obtain prestigious certifications. From north to south, the food and wine culture of this small region tells the story where the guest is sacred.
There is no Lucanian table without the 'peperone crusco': an extraordinary product, a true testimonial of the entire region. The peppers of Senise are dried in the sun and then fried in hot oil to make delicious and unique recipes.
The Aglianico del Vulture DOC wine has a persistent flavour, produced on the slopes of volcanic Mount Vulture. In the same area there is a great manufacture of extra virgin olive oil; again, the steep volcanic soils give the product extraordinary qualities. Local DOC wines include Grottino di Roccanova, Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri and Matera, one of the youngest wines in Basilicata.
Bread, baked in wood-fired ovens, is another excellent product: you can taste it on its own, or as an accompaniment for succulent traditional dishes.
Among local delicious cheeses, archaic companions of shepherds and farmers, the Canestrato di Moliterno deserves special mention for the peculiar process of ageing. In the north area you can find the excellent Pecorino di Filiano PDO, made from whole sheep's milk, while the king of the Apennines is the wonderful Caciocavallo podolico.
The Sarconi beans come from the flourishing Val d'Agri, while in Rotonda (Pollino National Park) white beans and red aubergine grow.
Lucanica di Picerno, the sausage par excellence, is made by using consolidated historical methods. It has an intense flavour with the aroma of wild fennel, black pepper and pepper.
EATING
The larger towns offer different options for a food stop: restaurants, holiday farms, bars, pastry shops, bakeries, grocery or fruit and vegetable shops, selling excellent quality products. However, it is better to avoid arriving in smaller villages between 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.: closing time is respected by all, bars and bakeries included. We also recommend to study the route in advance: you will be cycling for several kilometres without passing through hamlets or villages.
SLEEPLING
Generally speaking, Basilicata does not offer large accommodation facilities, except in more touristic areas. However, along the route you will find B&Bs, hotels, rooms to let and agritourisms; smaller and more remote villages offer very few beds: we recommend to plan the stages and book in advance. If you want to live a more adventurous experience, you can ask the locals, who will be at your disposal to give information, showing the generous Lucanian hospitality. In any case, it is advisable to have the necessary supplies for a temporary night camp.
CAMPING
There are not many campsites in Basilicata. Most of these facilities are concentrated on the seaside, especially on the Ionian coast; the others, scattered throughout the territory, may have discontinuous management, so it is better to check in advance. There are some agri-camping, which is to say that holiday farms allow to pitch a tent and use toilet facilities. Even where it is not expressly permitted, it is worth asking, because a place for the tent will easily be provided.
Free camping in Basilicata is permitted on request to the relevant municipality, by communicating the date, place and number of people, but it is widely tolerated. On the other hand, night bivouacking (pitching a tent from sunset to dawn) is always permitted, even in protected areas.
