We wake in a city carved from the bones of the earth. After breakfast, we set out on a guided urban hike, tracing Matera’s ancient staircases and winding lanes. This is no ordinary city tour—it’s a journey through rooftop labyrinths, sunlit terraces, hidden courtyards, and rainwater cisterns that once sustained entire communities. Our guide brings the Sassi to life with stories of resilience, devotion, and quiet brilliance etched into stone.

In the afternoon, we cross into the wild, sacred stillness of the Parco delle Chiese Rupestri, a dramatic landscape of cliffs and silence. Here, over 150 rock-hewn churches lie tucked into the limestone—some barely visible, others adorned with fading frescoes that once glowed by candlelight. We pause in one or two of these chapels, feeling the echo of centuries beneath our feet.

The late afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Wander, sketch, sip espresso, or simply sit and take in the surreal beauty of Matera bathed in golden light.

Dinner is on your own tonight—perhaps a rooftop aperitivo with sweeping views, or a candlelit cave table shared with new friends and stories from the road.