L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano 2 0 2 4 h a s b e e n d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e y e a r o f R o o t s T o u r i s m i n Italy, a concept that seeks to bridge the gap between Italians abroad and their ancestral lands. Unlike tra- d i t i o n a l t o u r i s t s , r o o t s tourists are motivated by a desire to connect with their origins, immerse themselves in the local culture, and pos- sibly even reclaim or pur- c h a s e a n c e s t r a l h o m e s , much like Francis Ford Coppola did in Bernalda, Basilicata. Indeed, Basilicata pas- s i o n a t e l y e m b r a c e d t h e Roots Tourism initiative, as demonstrated by the central role of Matera in Roots- In, an international trade event dedicated to ancestry t o u r i s m , w h i c h t h e t o w n h o s t e d f o r t w o y e a r s i n a row, in 2022 and 2023. The initiative, supported by the Basilicata Tourist Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ENIT, focuses on pro- m o t i n g R o o t s T o u r i s m t h r o u g h n e t w o r k i n g a n d business matching among tourism professionals. It is also in the spirit of welcom- ing root tourists that Basili- cata, always rich in visitor e x p e r i e n c e s , h a s b e e n b r o a d e n i n g i t s h o r i z o n s , integrating experiential tourism into its extensive offerings, and enriching the c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e past and present for visitors. This land, also known by its ancient name, Lucania, offers visitors an array of fascinating monuments and sites that bear witness to millennia of human history. F o r t h o s e s e e k i n g t o immerse themselves in the region's artistic heritage, the already-mentioned Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit location; the town is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, with evidence of human settlements from the Paleolithic period. Mat- era is, of course, renowned for its Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved into the limestone that have been d e v e l o p e d i n t o c o m p l e x structures over the centuries and served as a backdrop for several films, including Mel Gibson's The Passion of the C h r i s t a n d P i e r P a o l o P a s o l i n i ' s T h e G o s p e l according to St. Matthew. Another noteworthy desti- nation is the Murgia Mat- erana Park, established to protect the rich archaeologi- cal and natural heritage of the region. The Castle of Melfi, one o f t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t medieval castles in southern Italy, also offers visitors a g l i m p s e i n t o t h e r e g i o n ' s rich history. The castle is famous for its connections with several prominent fig- ures, including Robert Guis- c a r d , F r e d e r i c k I I , a n d Charles I of Anjou, which makes it a must-visit desti- n a t i o n f o r h i s t o r y b u f f s . Maratea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is another gem, famed not only for its breathtaking coastal views but also for its rich sacred art heritage, earning it the n i c k n a m e " t h e C i t y o f 4 4 Churches." Nature in Basilicata is pure and untouched. The region's mostly mountain- ous and hilly terrain gives outdoor sports enthusiasts countless ways to enjoy. One could begin with the Polli- n o N a t i o n a l P a r k , a UNESCO GeoPark: with its 200,000 hectares, it is one o f t h e l a r g e s t p r o t e c t e d areas in Italy and presents a diverse landscape from high plains to deep gorges and everything in between . For t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e fusion of nature and culture, the Lucanian Dolomites provide a stunning backdrop f o r a d v e n t u r e a n d e x p l o - r a t i o n : a d v e n t u r e p a r k s , downhill biking, and climb- ing opportunities abound f o r t h o s e l o o k i n g f o r a n adrenaline rush. For those who prefer a more relaxed approach to outdoor activi- ties, options for meditation, yoga, and orienteering are r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , a l l s e t a g a i n s t t h e p i c t u r e s q u e b a c k d r o p o f B a s i l i c a t a ' s u n i q u e l a n d s c a p e s . T h e region is also a haven for water sports, with excur- s i o n s o n f i s h i n g b o a t s , canoes, or yachts, while div- ing enthusiasts will find the underwater world here par- ticularly inviting due to the rich biodiversity found in the waters off Basilicata's coasts . As one would expect in I t a l y , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e South, food is another key attraction. Lucanian cuisine is centered around the use of locally sourced ingredi- ents, which range from fresh seafood along the coasts to the rich, hearty flavors of the inland areas. Visitors can explore this rich culi- nary landscape through a v a r i e t y o f e x p e r i e n c e s , including tasting tours high- l i g h t i n g B a s i l i c a t a ' s renowned wines, cheeses, and dishes. The emphasis o n f a r m - t o - t a b l e d i n i n g allows not only to taste the food but also to understand the traditions and processes behind its creation . I n m o r e r e c e n t t i m e s , B a s i l i c a t a h a s e m b r a c e d e x p e r i e n t i a l t o u r i s m with a variety of initiatives designed to provide tourists w i t h a n a u t h e n t i c a n d engaging experience. The Vulture area, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich agricultural tradi- tions, is at the forefront of the field. The Vulturexpe- rience, for instance, offers a range of activities from hiking, horseback riding, a n d y o g a t o e x p e r i e n t i a l workshops focusing on the region's culinary delights, i n c l u d i n g c h e e s e - m a k i n g and understanding the local flora through foraging. The initiative emphasizes sus- t a i n a b l e a n d r e s p o n s i b l e tourism, aiming to share the region's excellence in agri- food products, hospitality, and unique experiences tai- lored to the changing trends of modern travelers . Additionally, the region launched the Basilicata in Marcia per Vivere una Vita che Vale program, supported by the Regione Basilicata, to fund educa- tional projects that strength- en local identities and pro- mote European integration among youth. This initiative focuses on creating "emo- t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n a l w o r k - shops" as spaces for anima- t i o n , i n c l u s i o n , a n d e x p e r i e n t i a l e n r i c h m e n t . The projects aim to renew p o s i t i v e p e r s p e c t i v e s f o r young people, support youth responsibility, and enhance understanding of various opportunities, integrating youth policy across relevant p o l i t i c a l s e c t o r s o f t h e Union in line with the Euro- pean Union's strategy for youth 2019–2027 . All these initiatives and opportunities reflect Basili- cata's commitment to offer- i n g v i s i t o r s d i v e r s e a n d enriching experiences that g o b e y o n d t r a d i t i o n a l tourism, inviting them to connect with the region's n a t u r a l b e a u t y , c u l t u r a l richness, and gastronomic excellence in a more mean- ingful and sustainable way. Basilicata: Roots Tourism's first destination FRANCESCA BEZZONE From left, clockwise: Matera is, perhaps, the most famous location in Basilicata, but the region has even more to offer to visitors (Photo: Valeria Cantone/Dreamstime); traditional Basilicata fresh cheese (Photo: Lenise Calleja/Dreamstime), and the marina in Maratea (Photo: Laudibi/Dreamstime) TOURISM OF THE ROOTS TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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