Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Walk of the Gods), and another two nights in
Amalfi
or
Ravello
. Roam the stoic Greek
temples of
Paestum
on day 12 before continuing east to fellow World-Heritage treasure
Matera
, taking two days to wine and dine in its arthritic laneways and extraordinary
'cave' buildings. Next up are the Greek ruins of
Metaponto
, the former hometown of
Pythagoras and location of the incredible Tavole Paltine, one-time meeting point for medi-
eval Crusaders. More ancient tales await in nearby
Policoro
, with archaeological artifacts
spanning 9000 years. From here, slip into the sprawling wilderness of the
Parco
Nazionale del Pollino
, Italy's largest national park. With Terranova di Pollino as your
base, spend three days hiking through invigorating woods and exploring the curious Al-
banian villages of San Paolo Albanese and San Costantino Albanese.
Continue west to the superlative coastal jewel of
Maratea
. Allow two days to bathe in its
turquoise waters, then continue south to Calabria's seaside showoff
Tropea
for two fur-
ther days of seafood and sunsets. Further south in Villa San Giovanni, catch a ferry across
to Sicily, spending two days in stylish, coastal
Taormina
, Sicily's former Byzantine capit-
al and home to the world's most spectacularly located Greek amphitheatre. On day 25,
scale mighty
Mt Etna
, then head back down for the architectural wonders of
Catania
on
day 26. Wrap up in stunning
Syracuse
, a picture-perfect jumble of sun-bleached ruins,
baroque piazzas, animated markets and irresistible blue sea.
