visiting the Basilicata region of southern Italy, also known as Lucania
Dec 9th, 2002, 12:50 PM
#101
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That's interesting. while the town may lose some of its traditional look, at least it may survive economically, and it will be a very good thing if there's enough different kinds of work in town so that many people can stay and make a living there. some of the old towns remain very pretty and traditional in appearance, but there's nothing to keep people there, and they are becoming ghost towns.
Feb 3rd, 2003, 03:43 PM
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It would be nice if Fodors would index this thread so that it can be retrieved via a word search for "Basilicata" or "Lucania."
This is a beautiful, rugged, relatively unspoiled part of Italy where many of the old folkways and ancient celebrations are still very much alive. it's probably not a destination for a first or second or even third trip to Italy, but people who have seem many of the more famous spots in Italy might find a trip to this less known region very rewarding.
That's why I am topping this thread now and then, and I see that others are also helping me by topping it occasionally. It seems that quite a few of the people who have traveled to Basilicata or who are considering going there have posted on this thread, so it may be a helpful one, if only it would come up in a normal search for the name of the region.
This is a beautiful, rugged, relatively unspoiled part of Italy where many of the old folkways and ancient celebrations are still very much alive. it's probably not a destination for a first or second or even third trip to Italy, but people who have seem many of the more famous spots in Italy might find a trip to this less known region very rewarding.
That's why I am topping this thread now and then, and I see that others are also helping me by topping it occasionally. It seems that quite a few of the people who have traveled to Basilicata or who are considering going there have posted on this thread, so it may be a helpful one, if only it would come up in a normal search for the name of the region.
Dec 5th, 2004, 10:15 AM
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Carol,
See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34544628 in reference to the appearance of a book on Basilicata in today's www.nytimes.com
Or just go directly to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/bo...l?pagewanted=3
See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34544628 in reference to the appearance of a book on Basilicata in today's www.nytimes.com
Or just go directly to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/bo...l?pagewanted=3
Oct 10th, 2005, 07:46 AM
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This thread was lost to the indexing system for a long time, so I reposted almost the entire thread. The new thread was findable via search for the term "Basilicata." Now the new thread has also fallen out of the indexing system and doesn't turn up in a search. Does anyone have the link?
Oct 10th, 2005, 07:48 AM
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Oct 12th, 2005, 04:27 PM
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There is a book called Seasons In Basilicata by David Yeadon who is a travel writer. He and his wife lived in the region for a year. My husband started it, I stole it, then my daughter stole it from me. It is richly written and embraces the people as well as the countryside. It is a slow read. I intend to steal it back before our trip next month!
Yolanda
Yolanda
Nov 1st, 2005, 06:10 AM
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Dec 3rd, 2005, 03:37 AM
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Hi everyone
We just returned from a too short trip to many locations in Italy including Basilicata.
We stayed just outside the town of Montemurro where my grandmother was from and also visited for a day trip San Chirico Reparo where my grandfather was born.
The people were welcoming although quite surprized to see Americans.We made several efforts to reach relatives but we did not get to meet them after all. But we have made contact and now have emails along with good memories of our host and his friendliness. I feel we could go back again and have friends to drop in on!
The countryside has changed little from my 20 yr memories but there is more growth in the town of Montemurro. San Chirico remains the same with steep stone winding stairs throughout the village and a piazza at the bottom where eveyone shows up for vino or caffe.
Our 3 teenaged children came away with quite a new way of seeing their ancestors and the rugged lives they led in a community where everyone knows everyone else. It was good and grounding. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
We just returned from a too short trip to many locations in Italy including Basilicata.
We stayed just outside the town of Montemurro where my grandmother was from and also visited for a day trip San Chirico Reparo where my grandfather was born.
The people were welcoming although quite surprized to see Americans.We made several efforts to reach relatives but we did not get to meet them after all. But we have made contact and now have emails along with good memories of our host and his friendliness. I feel we could go back again and have friends to drop in on!
The countryside has changed little from my 20 yr memories but there is more growth in the town of Montemurro. San Chirico remains the same with steep stone winding stairs throughout the village and a piazza at the bottom where eveyone shows up for vino or caffe.
Our 3 teenaged children came away with quite a new way of seeing their ancestors and the rugged lives they led in a community where everyone knows everyone else. It was good and grounding. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 06:32 PM
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Lanz: That was such a special experience for your teenaged children--just the right age to appreciate this. I think Montemurro was the twon where one of the people in my mall group was dropped off and met by his cousins. I think I remember that we passed a very beautiful lake on the way to the town, not too far from it. I didn't see a single person on or near the lake, which looked like the sort of place that would ordinarily be a major tourist atraction if it were in a better known region.
Dec 5th, 2005, 04:19 AM
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I will get around to a longer report. Suddenly we are home and it is Christmas time!
My son is setting up a photo account and some of the photos are beautiful I must say!
Carol...I remember that lake as we had to drive by it to get from Montemurro to San Chirico. My husband thinks it is a reservoir (a lake behind a huge dam). So it is probably not used for a swimming area. But very big and lovely, and would be nice to sit and have a picnic at in the summer. I have a photo of me from our honeymoon washing my hair at a water trough with a sprout just across from that dam. (We were camping) Wow was it cold! Thank God it was June!
The kids really loved the twisting winding STEEP stairs in San Chirico and the little grandma who smiled and nodded and mentioned the weather change. (A cold snap)And also the nice young woman who let us eat our picnic lunch at the Jolly Cafe(in the piazza) table and brought us good vino for very little cost. We fed a couple stray cats our leftover cheese and enjoyed an exchange with a middle aged lady about how wonderful and lovely felines are. My oldest(19) fell in love with a young man's blue jeans (they had a red zipper)and I think he really enjoyed the attention...it was a charming place with lots of different types of folk of all ages and we wished we could stay a bit longer. The views from the top were amazing. We also filled our water bottles with ice cold delicious water from a beautiful stone and bronze fountain which was one of several lining the winding streets.
All for now. More later...
My son is setting up a photo account and some of the photos are beautiful I must say!
Carol...I remember that lake as we had to drive by it to get from Montemurro to San Chirico. My husband thinks it is a reservoir (a lake behind a huge dam). So it is probably not used for a swimming area. But very big and lovely, and would be nice to sit and have a picnic at in the summer. I have a photo of me from our honeymoon washing my hair at a water trough with a sprout just across from that dam. (We were camping) Wow was it cold! Thank God it was June!
The kids really loved the twisting winding STEEP stairs in San Chirico and the little grandma who smiled and nodded and mentioned the weather change. (A cold snap)And also the nice young woman who let us eat our picnic lunch at the Jolly Cafe(in the piazza) table and brought us good vino for very little cost. We fed a couple stray cats our leftover cheese and enjoyed an exchange with a middle aged lady about how wonderful and lovely felines are. My oldest(19) fell in love with a young man's blue jeans (they had a red zipper)and I think he really enjoyed the attention...it was a charming place with lots of different types of folk of all ages and we wished we could stay a bit longer. The views from the top were amazing. We also filled our water bottles with ice cold delicious water from a beautiful stone and bronze fountain which was one of several lining the winding streets.
All for now. More later...
