Trentino Alto Adige has a long history with many interesting historical and cultural attractions. There are over 35 museums in the region. Some of them include:
• The Museo delle Scienze located in Trent. It is a science museum for everyone to enjoy.
• The Museo dell’Aeronautica Gianni Caproni located in Trento. This museum is a display of historical artifacts and airplanes.
• The Museo Catello del Buonconsiglio located in Trento. This is a historical and cultural museum of Trentino.

In addition, there are a handful of ancient ruins that are a must see for those who have a passion for ancient history. They include: the Castel Romano in Pieve di Bono, the Castel Pietra in Tonadico, the Bastione di Riva in Rivadel Garda, the Castel Belfort in Spormaggiore, and the Castello di Segonzano in Segonzano.

Trentino Alto Adige has a breathtaking natural appeal as well. There are three nature parks in the region. The first one is the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio located in Rabbi. The park is one of the oldest parks and has an enormous variety of plants and animals. There are guided tours available. The second park is the Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta located in Strembo. This nature park is the largest wildlife protected area in Trentino. Lastly, the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park is located in Tonadico. This is an absolutely beautiful park with vibrant green forests and meadows accented with the Dolomite Mountains. Visitors can catch a glimpse of deer that roam through the park.

Trentino Alto Adige is the ideal vacation place for both winter and summer outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy many outdoor sports and activities including horse back riding, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, paragliding, cycling, golfing, canoeing, ice skating, and of course skiing. The region is a popular winter sport vacation spot with many ski resorts and snow parks available for those who love to have fun in the snow. There are snow parks in every part of the region. Some include: Morea, Ursus, Easy, Monte Bondone, Rolle Railz, and the Belvedere.

Trentino Alto Adige caters to tourists. Tourists have a large number of restaurants to choose from. There are over 65 restaurants in the region. In addition, tourists have many different types of accommodations to choose from. There are over 1500 accommodations available including hotels, guesthouses, lodges, resorts, and bed and breakfasts.

Trentino Alto Adige has warm, pleasant summers and cold, snow-filled winters. With so much to do it is the ideal place for a fun-filled vacation all year round.

Matera in southern region of Basilicata, is considered Italy’s most extraordinary town. Above a deep ravine, there is a tight patchwork of buildings. Along the stone cliffs of the ravines are stone houses called Sassi di Matera or stones of Matera carved out of the rock cliffs and caves where people have lived in crowded conditions with their livestock for 10,000 years.

Among the first settlements in Italy, the Sassi is today a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The families who were living in poverty were relocated to modern dwellings in the 1950s, but a few families still remain in the homes of their ancestors since prehistory. With the help of UNESCO, Hollywood and the European Union the Sassi has been regenerated with businesses, hotels and pubs located in the living stone.

Matera is also the location of some ancient and historically fascinating churches. The Matera Cathedral was constructed in an Apulian Romanesque architectural style between 1268 and 1270 offered to Santa Maria della Bruna in 1389. It has statues of Maria della Bruna, Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the front, but the rose window is the main feature. A fourteenth century Byzantine-style fresco that portrays the Last Judgment was recently discovered.

There are churches and monasteries in the caves and cliffs that date from the beginning of the Christian Era. Some are just an alter and a small fresco in a simple cave and some are complex networks of caves with many rooms, some of them large. These are thought to be meditation chambers for coenobitic and rupestric monks. The Crypt of Original Sin, dating from the 9th century, is in the cliff of a ravine. It has frescoes painted by a Benedictine monk.

Because of the construction of the city over and along the ravine that divided it, it was difficult for the people to get water. Hundreds of years ago the people build elaborate water channels and cisterns to store water. One of the largest was found under the Tramontano Castle, an unfinished 16th century castle. While restoring the castle, a huge Roman cistern was discovered with a vaulted ceiling and columns supporting it.

Hotels in The Sassi are carefully reconstructed to evoke the lifestyle of the people who used to live there. Care is taken to use only the original rock and let the rooms tell their own story. There are no televisions, minibars or telephones in many hotel rooms. The wires and pipes for electricity and plumbing have been artfully installed and are not easy to see. Visitors use furniture made from old pieces collected in the area and refurbished.

Matera is not on the main tourist routes but well worth a visit. With its quiet atmosphere and remarkable caves that date from Paleolithic times it is one of the oldest human settlements in the world. With top rated bed and breakfasts as well as hotels and excellent restaurants, some of which serve the local dishes, there is comfortable accommodation. Visitors can explore the Sassi on their own with a map of the most interesting places or with a guide and have an incredible walk through the ancient past.

Potenza is a beautiful town and comune in the mountains in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It’s the capital city of the province of Potenza. At an altitude of around 2,701 feet, it has beautiful mountain views. The town evolved from the Roman town of Potentia, which rebelled against Rome a few times till it was finally subjugated after the second Punic war, around 207 B.C. and was reduced to a military colony. Now, Potenza is the principal town of Basilicata and a center of business. Potenza, perhaps because of its mountainous location, has been subject to earthquakes over its history. A terrible earthquake ravaged not only the town but the region in 1694. Potenza was rocked by an earthquake again on November 23, 1980, but has long since recovered from it. On top of this, the city was bombed fairly thoroughly during World War II, but has recovered from this as well.

Potenza is also a rail and road junction. The train stations include the modern Potenza Centrale at the Piazzale Guglielmo Marconi, and other stations at Viale Sicilia, Contrada Macchia Romana, Via La Marmoa, viale Marconi, 206, Corso Garibaldi, 64 and Via Angilia Vecchia. Potenza has sister cities in Denver, Colorado and Focsani, Romania.

As of April 30, 2009 the population of Potenza was about 68,297. Its patron saint is St. Gerard, a French born saint who’s also a patron saint for chronic and incurable disease. His feast day is May 30.

Potenza’s climate is pleasantly mild, with the average low temperature only about 33.4 degrees F. in January. In the summers the temperature rarely gets about 80 degrees F. The climate is fairy dry, with the city usually receiving three inches of rain or less per month.

Visitors might like to visit the Duomo or the Cathedral of San Gerardo, which was built originally in the 12th C and still retains some elements of the original building. There are also remnants and ruins of old castles like the Torre Guevara and a Roman villa in the town’s Poggio Tre Galli section. Other interesting churches are the Church of San Francesco, the church of Santa Maria del Sepolcro and the church of San Michele.

Potenza’s expansion and wealth was based on industries in the Betlemme and Gallitello plains. The city has surprisingly tall and modern buildings that make for a gorgeous night skyline. Visitors can make excursions from Potenza into the wild and beautiful region of Lucania and northwest to the beautiful Monticchio Lakes.

There are some bed and breakfasts in the area, including Il Patriarca in Albano di Lucania, the Villa delle Rose in Atella, La Falchera in Barile, and the Il Gattocarlo in Genzano di Lucania. Agriturismos in the area are also fascinating places to stay. These are sometimes quite beautiful and roomy farmhouses whose families supplement their income from farming by taking in guests. Some are the Az. Agr. La Valle dei Cavalli in Atella, Masseria dell’Armenia in Forenza, Masseria Sett’Anni in Maschito, L’Araba Fenice in Picerno, and Agriturismo San Pietro in Rapolla.

Craco, is located between the toe and heal of the boot of Italy about 25 miles inland from the gulf of Taranto in the region of Basilicata. The village of Craco dates back to medieval times and was originally built on top a very steep summit offering a great defensive advantage. The stark structures of the village offer striking contrast to the soft surrounding hillsides.

Dating back from 580 AD, Craco was originally built and by the Greeks. Tombs have been found in the area that date back from the eighth century. Beginning around 1060 the church began having great influence on the citizens of Craco and the surrounding region and that influence continues to this day.

In 1277 the population of Craco was 450 people and by 1561 it had grown to 2,590 people. The town averaged around 1,500 people for many centuries, but between 1892 and 1922 many of Craco’s citizens move to North America as a result of devastated agricultural resources. In the mid twentieth century earthquakes began damaging the village and eventually much of the town began to slide down the steep hillside it was built upon. In 1963 the entire town move into a nearby valley. Currently the population of the new village of Craco is 970 people.

Churches are of main importance to the history of Craco. The church of the Observant Friars minor, dating to the seventeenth century and dedicated to St. Peter, has been partially restored. The church of Santa Maria della Stella, built on a hillside is a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the only inhabitable part of old Craco is a small new church that house the mummified remains of the patron saint of Craco, St. Vincenzo. St Vincenzo is worshipped because he refused to denounce Christianity to worship the Emperor Marco Aurelio. In old Craco there stands the remnants of the old church that was the largest church in the town. The statuary and fixtures of that old church were moved to the church which stand in the center of the new town of Craco.

Visitors to Craco should expect to be strongly affected when viewing the sad remains of old Craco. The ancient paths through old Craco may still be used to walk through the ruins and up to the Castle tower at the summit of the old village. It is possible that a visit to the site may be a solitary experience which in some way enhances the gloom of old Craco. There is also a feeling in old Craco of inherent strength and the location is often the setting for films. Most recently the Mel Gibson movie The Passion of the Christ shot scenes at old Craco.

Craco is not an easy location to visit. The Provence of Matera, Italy, Craco’s location, is not serviced by the national rail system, so one must arrive there via local buses or car. There are many interesting things to see in the provence in addition to Craco and there are many hotels, restaurants, plazas, museums and shopping to engage visitors. The boot of Italy enjoys Mediterranian weather patterns with mild wet winters and hot dry summers.

The coastal hill city of Bosa sits on the west side of the Italian island of Sardinia. The city sits on a river valley that stretches into highland plateaus and hills, which made it a well defended area in times past and gave it a wealthy and well known history. The economy today is largely based on fishing and agriculture and is home to a population of just over 8,000 residents. It is a wonderful combination of old and new. The center is lined with cobblestone streets and medieval houses. With enticing and quaint buildings from the 19th century with wonderful balconies, intriguing stores, bars and sidewalk cafés.

Running through the city you will find the Temo River, one side lined with trees and the other with tanneries. As you can imagine, you will find the city of Bosa has a very real and authentic feel as a city, is very easy going and relaxed, with friendly and hospitable people. Those who make the journey to Bosa find a wonderful place with history, culture, fine architecture and natural wonder.

It is also a wonderful place for a beach get away to spend a relaxing time in the sun. There are many beaches to choose from with clear water in stunning shades of blue. It is proud to have what has been selected as the cleanest beach in Italy, the Bosa Marina. A lovely strip dotted with cafes and bars and a Catalan tower at the end of the shoreline. For those seeking a bit of adventure, there are cove beaches which can be reached on foot or boat. The unique rock formations are a wonderful sight to see. Even in the midst of the summer, you will find the weather very pleasant with a northwest wind that comes in to cool the air.

In the city of Bosa you will find some wonderful historical sites and other places to visit and see. There is the Castello Malaspina, an 12th century castle built on a nearby hill top. Inside you will find the simple chapels of Chiesa de Nostra Signora which is home to a wonderful fresco in the style of the 14th century. You can also visit the Sas Conzas, the former tanneries. And when you are ready to stop and take a rest, you will find cute little cafés where you can relax and enjoy yourself.

If you like wonderful, vibrant colors, you will love the Bosa landscape. Music and dance lovers will enjoy one of the regular public open air concerts or festivals. Going inland a bit you can explore the valley including the small local vineyards that produce Malvasia di Bosa, a wine that borders on sherry. You will find a wonderful wine route and hook up with one of the tasting tours and find wonderful selections to choose from in taking home a bottle or two. And talking about taking things home, some of the local specialties you can are wonderful olive oils, cheeses, salami and torrone or nougat.

For those looking for a wonderful place to get away, enjoy a time of adventure, new things to see and discover at a wonderfully relaxed pace, Bosa is a wonderful place!

 Melfi, the town in Basilicata in southern Italy, is a farming and tourist center well known for its wine. It takes it name from the Melpes River running through the area. Melfi is on the Northern Slope of Mount Vulture and is close to the Italian regions of Puglia and Campania.

Early Italian tribes settled the area, and the Romans incorporated it into the colony of Venusia. Melfi expanded in significance during the Middle Ages because it was a tactical point between land controlled by the Byzantines and Lombard’s. After the power struggle in the area, the Hauteville family ruled the city and used it as their starting point to take control of southern Italy leading to the Kingdom of Sicily. The Emperor Frederick II published his Constitutions of Melfi declaring his control over a growing territory. The town and region experienced decay after a series of earthquakes.

The town has been hit by numerous earthquakes that have damaged the castle built by the Normans (from the 11th to 13th century, and the cathedral, built in the 1700s. The Campanile remains intact.

Most of Melfi’s attractions are historical and religious in nature.

The Duomo or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, designed in the baroque style, still has the unique Norman bell towers. The 13th century fresco, the Madonna with Child and Angels is inside the church along with a wooden choir from the 16th century, and the organ from the mid-1700s.

The town’s other churches that might be worth visiting are S. Maria La Muova, built in the 13th century and Sant Antonio, established in the 15 century.

The Palazzo del Vescovado or Bishopric Palace was constructed in the 11th century but was remodeled in the 1700s using a Baroque design.

The castle towers over the entire town. It was likely built by the Normans because no suggestion of earlier construction exists. In the beginning, it started out as a rectangle with square towers plus other towers were built to protect the main gate. One of the primary interior buildings was transformed into a palace. Later rulers added a new segment on one of the hills going down to the Melfi stream. The control of the palace was circulated among various ruling families. Currently, the Castle hosts the Museo Nazionale Archeologico with displays of artifacts from various historical periods including archaic times, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan. In addition, it exhibits the sarcophagus of Rapolla, a sculpture dating from the 2nd century CE.

Melfi holds a variety of festivals throughout the year including the Feast of Sant’ Allesandro in February, Feast of the Holy Spirit during Pentacost, the City Literary Prize in September, and theVarola Town Festival during October, among many more.

Melfi is about an hours drive from Potenza. Potenza is a stopping point on the railroad from Salerno to Taranto. It also has a connection to Altamura.

Melfi has several rated accommodations: Casa Laviano B & B, Albergo II Teto, Relais la Fattoria, and Hotel Due Pini.