Nestled in the heart of southern Italy, Matera is a captivating destination that holds a treasure trove of hidden gems. The ‘Unpublished Matera: Horse Riding and Sassi Tour’ offers an immersive exploration of this enigmatic region, blending guided tours, local product tastings, and hands-on crafts experiences. From traversing the historic Sassi on foot to saddling up for a picturesque horseback ride, this two-day adventure promises an intimate encounter with Matera’s rich cultural heritage. But the real highlight? Savoring the authentic flavors of Lucanian cuisine at a renowned restaurant, where the region’s culinary delights come to life.
Key Points
- This two-day tour provides an immersive experience through the historic Sassi of Matera, including guided walking tours, local product tastings, and a crafts course.
- The tour includes a 1.5-hour horseback ride covering approximately 10 kilometers, offering a unique perspective of the Murgia Materana Park.
- Participants can enjoy free time to explore the Sassi at sunset and have dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant showcasing regional flavors.
- The tour is priced from €420 per person and is limited to 8 participants, ensuring a personalized experience with the guidance of professional Italian and English-speaking guides.
- Inclusions cover van service for transportation, one-night hotel stay with breakfast, and all necessary equipment and instruction for the horseback riding activity.
Tour Overview
This tour offers an immersive experience, taking guests on a journey through the historic and picturesque Sassi of Matera, culminating in a horseback ride amidst the stunning landscapes of the Murgia Materana Park.
Lasting two days, the tour is priced from €420 per person and is limited to just 8 participants to ensure an intimate and personalized experience.
A professional guide will lead the tour in both Italian and English, while also providing a tasting of local products and a crafts course to learn the traditional Lucanian musical instrument.
Guests can enjoy free time to explore the Sassi at sunset and savor a dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant.
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Itinerary Highlights
The tour kicks off on day one with guests meeting the guide at a historic accommodation near the main entrance to the Sassi.
Visitors will then embark on a guided walking tour of the Murgia Materana Park, followed by a tasting of local products and a crafts course to learn the art of building a traditional Lucanian musical instrument.
Afterward, guests have free time to explore the Sassi at sunset before enjoying dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant.
The second day begins with a substantial breakfast, followed by a 1.5-hour horseback ride covering approximately 10 km, suitable for beginners.
The tour then concludes with a return to the accommodation via mini-van for check-out.
Key activities include:
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Guided walking tour of Murgia Materana Park
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Tasting of local products
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Crafts course to build a Lucanian musical instrument
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Free time to explore the Sassi at sunset
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Dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant
Day 1 Activities
On the first day, guests meet the guide at a historic accommodation near the main entrance to the Sassi before embarking on a guided walking tour of the Murgia Materana Park.
During this tour, they’ll have the opportunity to taste local products and participate in a crafts course to learn how to build a traditional Lucanian musical instrument.
After the course, guests will have free time to explore the Sassi at sunset.
The day concludes with a dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant, providing a chance to savor the flavors of the region.
Dinner at Renowned Restaurant
Guests conclude the first day by dining at a renowned Matera restaurant, savoring the flavors of the region. The dinner experience offers a culinary journey through the local cuisine:
Guests are treated to a multi-course meal featuring traditional Lucanian dishes, crafted with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
The menu showcases the rich gastronomic heritage of Matera, with dishes that highlight the area’s unique culinary traditions.
The restaurant’s intimate and charming atmosphere provides the perfect setting to take in the local culture and ambiance.
Knowledgeable servers guide guests through the menu, offering insights into the history and preparation of the dishes.
The dinner concludes the day’s activities on a high note, leaving guests eager to continue their exploration of Matera’s wonders.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyDay 2 Activities
After a substantial breakfast, participants embark on a 1.5-hour horseback riding adventure, covering approximately 10 kilometers – an experience suitable for beginners. Following the ride, they return to the accommodation via mini-van to check out.
Activity | Duration | Distance |
---|---|---|
Horseback Riding | 1.5 hours | 10 km |
Return to Accommodation | 15-20 minutes | – |
Check-out | 15-20 minutes | – |
Departure | – | – |
The horseback riding portion of the tour allows participants to explore the stunning Murgia Materana Park from a unique perspective, seeing the natural beauty of the region. The mini-van transfer back to the accommodation ensures a seamless end to the two-day adventure.
Inclusions
The two-day Horse Riding and Sassi Tour package includes a range of services to enhance the participant’s experience.
This includes convenient van service for transportation, a cozy one-night hotel stay with breakfast, and the expertise of qualified guides and staff who’ll lead the activities.
Plus, you will enjoy a tasting of typical local products and be treated to one lunch and one dinner at renowned Matera restaurants.
The tour also provides a horse riding instructor and the necessary equipment for a 1.5-hour horseback ride covering approximately 10 km, suitable even for beginners.
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Van service
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One night hotel stay with breakfast
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Qualified guides and staff
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Tasting of local products
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One lunch and one dinner
Important Information
This tour isn’t suitable for children under 15 years of age.
Tour availability is limited in the first two weeks of July. The tour starts at 9:00 AM on Thursday to Friday in June, July, and August, and on Saturday to Sunday in other months. Participants should meet at Piazza San Francesco in Matera and look for the tour leader with the company placard.
The tour offers a comprehensive experience, including a guided walking tour of the Murgia Materana Park, a tasting of local products, and a crafts course to learn how to build a traditional Lucanian musical instrument.
Guests will also have free time to explore the Sassi at sunset and enjoy dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant. On the second day, they’ll embark on a 1.5-hour horseback ride covering approximately 10 km, suitable for beginners.
What to Bring
Guests should pack comfortable shoes, a camera, water, and weather-appropriate clothing for the Horse Riding and Sassi Tour. The tour involves activities that require suitable attire and footwear.
Some key items to bring include:
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Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes or boots for the guided tour and horseback riding
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A lightweight, breathable jacket or sweater in case of cooler temperatures
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Sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
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A small backpack or bag to carry personal items
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Any necessary medications or personal care items
Having the right gear will ensure participants are prepared to fully enjoy the immersive experience of exploring Matera’s stunning Sassi and surrounding natural landscape on horseback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Horse for the Riding Activity?
No, participants cannot bring their own horses for the riding activity. The tour includes a guided horseback ride with a professional instructor on pre-arranged horses. Personal horses are not permitted as part of this organized tour experience.
Is There a Weight Limit for the Horseback Riding?
There is typically a weight limit for horseback riding activities, usually around 90-100 kg (200-220 lbs). This is to ensure the safety and comfort of both the rider and the horse. The specific weight limit for this tour is not provided.
Is There a Minimum Number of Participants Required to Run the Tour?
There is no minimum number of participants required to run the tour. The tour is limited to a small group size of up to 8 participants, which ensures a more intimate and personalized experience for each guest.
Can I Choose the Restaurant for the Dinner on Day 1?
No, participants cannot choose the restaurant for the dinner on the first day. The tour includes a dinner at a renowned Matera restaurant, which is pre-arranged by the tour organizers as part of the package.
Will the Tour Guide Be the Same Person for Both Days?
The tour guide will likely be the same person for both days of the tour. Tour operators often assign a single guide to lead a multi-day experience to ensure continuity and familiarity with the itinerary and participants.
Recap
This immersive two-day tour offers an exclusive opportunity to discover the enchanting city of Matera.
Participants will enjoy guided explorations of the historic Sassi, savor local delicacies, and learn about traditional crafts.
The highlight is a scenic horseback ride through the stunning Murgia Materana Park, culminating in a delightful dinner showcasing authentic Lucanian flavors.
This tour provides an intimate and comprehensive experience of this captivating region.
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