If you have ever thought about doing a road trip, then the South of Italy might just be exactly what you are looking for. With delicious food, culture, history and amazing views, you really can experience a trip of a lifetime.
One of the most recommended routes is from Naples to Palermo and it covers 1,200 miles and can be best explored over 2 weeks. If you do not want to travel by car the whole way, you can mix it up and include some rail travel but of course with a car you have more freedom to visit those areas that are off the beaten path.
Starting in Naples, you want to spend around 2-4 days here, the latter if you are into art. Naples has an art collection that was once banned from anyone viewing it. In fact, there was a time when only “men of mature age and respectable morals” were able to see it, and that was only if they paid a hefty price. It was only in 2000 that the exhibit opened to everyone. Over at the National Archeological Museum, you can visit the secret room which holds antiques from the Roman and Greek era. When it comes to food, you want to make sure that you eat lots of pizza, as Naples views the food as part of their religion and is often known as “The city of Pizza”.
After that, you can spend a couple of days in Matera. An amazing town carved straight into the mountain and is called “la Città Sotterranea” meaning the Subterranean City. This place is super special and really unique. There are many underground sites to see, including churches, homes, caves, and restaurants.
“it’s the pearl of this century. Since old times, travelers from the most faraway country, boast of its merits, praise its territory, rave about its extraordinary beauty, and highlight its strengths, because it brings together the best aspects from every other country”.