Parco Vacanze Olympus

Founded by the Greeks in the seventh century BC (and later a Roman settlement), the ancient town of Metaponto can still be seen at the Parco Archeologico dell’Area Urbana di Metaponto (10 minutes’ drive). After strolling among ruined temples and fragments of columns, you can find out more about the history of the place at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Metaponto. Pack your binoculars and head to the Riserva Naturale San Giuliano (35 minutes) for guided and self-guided tours around a tree-lined lake that attracts wintering and migrating birds such as herons and shelducks, plus raptors. A small museum has dioramas and displays on local biodiversity. Do like James Bond (but without the crazy car chases) and head inland to Matera (45 minutes), renowned for the prehistoric cave-like dwellings known as Sassi. There are also ancient churches carved out of the rock and decorated with colourful murals, plus a handful of interesting museums, including the 17th-century Palazzo Lanfranchi, housing a contemporary art collection.