Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Aliano is accessible by SITA bus (€5.50) from Potenza.
Castelmezzano
& Pietrapertosa
The two mountaintop villages of Castelmezzano (elevation 985m) and Pietrapertosa (elev-
ation 1088m), ringed by the Lucanian Dolomites are spectacular. They are Basilicata's
highest villages and are often swathed in cloud, making you wonder why anyone would
build here - in territory best suited to goats.
Castelmezzano is surely one of Italy's most theatrical villages; the houses huddle along
an impossibly narrow ledge that falls away in gorges to the Caperrino river. Pietrapertosa
is even more amazing: the Saracen fortress at its pinnacle is difficult to spot as it is carved
out of the mountain. You can now 'fly' between these two dramatic settlements courtesy
of
Il Volo dell'Angelo
(The Angel Flight; Pietrapertosa 0971 98 31 10, Castelmezzano 0971 98 60 42;
www.volodellangelo.com
;
per person €35-40, couples €63-72)
, a heart-in-mouth ride where you are
supended, belly down, in a cradle harness, and whizzed via cables across the gorge. The
organisers factor in time to explore whichever town you land in before the return cable
ride.
You can spend an eerie night in Pietrapertosa at a delightful B&B,
La Casa di Penelope e
Cirene
( 0971 98 30 13; Via Garibaldi 32; d from €70)
. Dine at the authentic Lucano restaurant
Al Becco della Civetta
( 0971 98 62 49;
www.beccodellacivetta.it
; Vicolo I Maglietta 7; meals €25;
Wed-Mon)
in Castelmezzano, which also offers traditionally furnished, simple whitewashed
rooms (double €80).
You'll need your own vehicle to visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Basilicata's Western Coast
Resembling a mini-Amalfi, Basilicata's Tyrrhenian coast is short (about 20km) but sweet.
Squeezed between Calabria and Campania's Cilento peninsula, it shares the same beguil-
ing characteristics: hidden coves and pewter sandy beaches backed by majestic coastal
cliffs. The SS18 threads a spectacular route along the mountains to the coast's star attrac-
tion, the charming seaside settlements of Maratea.
