Comprising two provinces, Potenza and Matera, the Basilicata region stretches between Apulia to the north and east, and Calabria to the south. Though it’s an often missed region of Southern Italy, its ancestral charm, rugged coastline, and pulsing piazzas will win you over in no time. A blend of outdoor adventures, art, culture and antiquity, the region is just as much for thrill seekers and food lovers as it is for history buffs and beachgoers. Here’s our roundup of the top things to do.

1. Wander the labyrinthine alleys of the Sassi in Matera 
You can’t say you’ve experienced Matera unless you get lost at least once in the stairways and labyrinthine alleyways of the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fortunately for you, it’s hard not to. Via Fiorentini and Via Buozzi are the main routes through the Sasso Barisano (the more central of the two Sassi districts) and the Sasso Caveoso.