Summer Destination Series: Looking For The Perfect Getaway?

This week’s featured getaway from Mr & Mrs Smith is the mystical and romantic Sextantio le Grotte della Civita, Basilicata Italy – a true escape from the modern world.

The hotel is set in prehistoric caves located in Southern Italy, a wild and mountainous landscape between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas that will transport you to what feels like another era. It took 10 years to turn the stone settlement into boutique bedrooms that stay true to their roots – simply furnished, candlelit and calming.

sextantio le grotte della civita

sextantio le grotte della civita

sextantio le grotte della civita

sextantio le grotte della civita

Mr & Mrs Smith Insider Tip: Suite 13 is ravishingly romantic – the honey-colored cave has its own balcony, plenty of candlelit alcoves, and a fireplace beside the bath tub.

sextantio le grotte della civita

Recommended Activities

–       Take a guided tour of the sassi. Stop-offs include a typical cave dwelling decorated with traditional furnishings, the church of Saint Peter Caveoso, the cave church of Saint Lucy of the Malve (check out the frescoes) and the museum of farming history (www.sassiweb.com/guided-tours).

–       Be sure to wander around Matera sans guide too, to find your own favorites: little cafés, sweet boutiques (crunch on Conti Confetteria’s rainbow-hued sugared almonds at Piazza del Sedile) and pretty squares populated with gossiping old men.

–       Head to the hills for the ‘Flight of the Angels’ – the world’s fastest zipwire. Thrill-seekers are suspended from a wire and launched like human rockets from the peaks of Castelmezzano, in the Gallipoli Cognato National Park, across to the village of Pietrapertosa, at 120kmph (www.volodellangelo.com).

–       For a more sedate experience, pack a picnic and head to Alta Murgia National Park and nature reserve. There are cave church complexes to explore, plenty of beautiful blossoms and birds, and it’s ideal for mountain biking and hiking.

What to Pack

Bring flat sandals and loose linens for exploring Matera; a book for quiet moments and a notebook to jot down chef Elisabetta’s pannacotta recipe!

whattopack

Items Pictured (from left to right): Bentuk V Bronze Necklace, Spinner Maxi Skirt, Caitlyn Gladiator Sandal, Saratoga Stud Tote, Immortals Ring, Sea Breeze Bra, Sea Breeze Undies, FP One Gauze Buttondown, Rosey Printed Skinny Jean, Dodge City Ankle Boot.

Get more travel inspiration from the BLDG 25 Blog, and check out Part One of the Mr & Mrs Smith series – The Surf Lodge in Montauk!

_____________________________________________________________________

Trending at Free People: summer dresses, maxi dresses, boyfriend jeans, rompers, high-waisted bikinis, dresses, jeffrey campbell litas, lace dresses, sundresses, off the shoulder tops.

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
megan
11 years ago

Love this

Sarah D
11 years ago

…like a dream