Move Over Rome! The World’s 3rd Oldest City Has Become Italy’s Trendiest Destination

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30 is the brand new 40, 40 is the brand new 50, 50 is the brand new 60 and so forth and so forth — not less than that is what I inform myself as I slowly however absolutely creep up on the Big 4-0.

But the identical idea applies to journey.

Seeing the world these days is not all about flashy new resorts and prompting AI to plan your vacation.

In truth, extra vacationers are turning again the clock reasonably than chasing shiny new issues, and there isn’t any higher instance than the place persons are flocking in Italy proper now…

Rather than waste worthwhile trip time in Rome’s infamous lengthy strains and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the world’s third-oldest inhabited metropolis is drawing extra vacationers for simply that — tangible layers of historical past with out sacrificing Italian delights all of us crave by meals, wine, and fascinating websites.

Italy is among the most awe-inspiring nations on Earth, however it’s not simply the Colosseum, Venice canals, and Tuscany’s rolling vineyards which can be luring vacationers — it is locations nonetheless deeply rooted of their previous, just like the UNESCO-protected metropolis of Matera, chock-full of historical cave dwellings and old-world attraction.

Matera: From Eyesore To Icon

Anyone who has travelled extensively has locations in thoughts they will by no means return to for one cause or one other.

Believe it or not, ages in the past, many would say Matera was the last word no-go zone. Riddled with poverty throughout postwar occasions, vacationers are actually saying ‘magnificence is within the eye of the beholder’.

Back then, many residents had no operating water and even shared dwelling quarters with livestock, similar to goats and donkeys.

The proof is within the pudding, not solely with tourism statistics and social media fame. Blockbuster movies like The Passion of the Christ used Matera’s timeworn cityscape as their backdrop to depict Biblical occasions, they usually did not want CGI to make up for any oversaturated corners with Starbucks and McDonald’s logos.

Mel Gibson is probably not probably the most charming, however the maze of stone stairways and weathered corridors right here in Matera absolutely are…

The city could also be small, house to roughly 60,000 folks, however you may wander for hours and be amazed by its preservation and character.

It might have stood the take a look at of time, however one has to marvel if it’s going to now stand the take a look at of fame with further foot site visitors…

Matera’s Core Is UNESCO-Protected

However you select to order pizza and cannolis is one factor, however there’s one phrase you’ll positively need to be taught in your journey to Matera:

Sassi (pronounced SAH-see).

The Sassi includes the aforementioned cave dwellings and postcard church buildings. It’s unquestionably probably the most sought-after area of Matera.

UNESCO has taken the reins, holding the Sassi’s historic cloth protected and preserved since 1993— and up to now, so good.

According to TripAdvisor, one current first-timer to Matera raved about their time right here, stating “Matera is one of the most impressive cities I have ever visited. The old sassi, houses carved into the rocks, create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Walking through the narrow streets is like going back in time – each curve opens up a new view of stone houses and churches”.

Stay In A Cave

It’s protected to say Matera is not caving to strain. Whether or not this metropolis, courting again to the Paleolithic Era, is compelled to embrace a tourism rush or not is one factor, however what we all know for sure is that this is among the most unusual locations in all of Europe to book a hotel (or Airbnb).

It’s true, vacationers aren’t coming right here only for strolling excursions and calling it a day — they’re really basing their journeys round the place to remain.

Not all of Matera’s caves are livable. In truth, many are simply cool picture ops at this level.

That mentioned, some have been remodeled into fashionable boutique motels, similar to:

Best of all, you may rating a fantastic deal within the $100s per night time, particularly throughout winter and early spring.

Want to know our high choose?

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita earns the Travel Off Path stamp of approval. It’s simply probably the most distinctive keep as a result of it feels much less like a resort and extra like spending the night time inside Matera’s historical previous — uncooked stone partitions, candlelit rooms, and unparalleled romance.

But be at liberty to scour Airbnb, too, for privately owned cave houses with extra consideration to element than motels have a tendency to supply.