Basilicata is a region in southern Italy, nestled between Campania and Apulia, right above the tip of the boot. Despite its gorgeous landscapes and historical cities – including Matera, named European Capital of Culture in 2019 – the region is pretty much unknown to Italians and international tourists alike.

According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, over half of the people who come to visit are from the neighbouring regions of Apulia, Campania and Lazio (the region where Rome is located). That’s probably because Basilicata is pretty isolated – there’s no easily accessible airport around, and the railway connections are less than ideal. The region is also among the poorest in Italy, with only 50 percent of its working age population currently employed.