Camping Le Due Barche

You’ll find more than just beaches when you holiday in untamed Basilicata. Wildlife lovers can see rescued turtles in the sanctuary at WWF Policoro Herakleia (20 minutes’ drive), and there are forested walking trails to dramatic waterfalls in Parco Nazionale del Pollino (40 minutes). If you’d like to get some serious hiking in, the Lucanian Dolomites (an hour) offer steep climbs with spectacular views over craggy mountains. There are ancient temples, a theatre and remains of a garrison to inspect at the Parco Archeologico dell’Area Urbana di Metaponto (25 minutes), where signs of a large Greco-Roman city scatter over 150 hectares. The National Archaeological Museum of Siritide (15 minutes) has a sterling collection of local finds, with VR exhibits that will appeal to kids. Further afield, you can explore the intriguing ‘sassi’ cave houses and admire the medieval frescoes in St Lucia alle Malve rock church at Matera (55 minutes), a stunning hill town made famous by a certain James Bond movie. Alternatively, head up into the hills to Craco (45 minutes), a village slowly crumbling into ruins after being abandoned in the late 20th century.