Exploring the unexplored - Southern Italy
Southern Italy is commonly referred to as the "Mezzogiorno". The term Mezzogiorno first came into use in the 18th century and is an Italian rendition of meridies (Latin for 'south', because of the sun's position at midday in the northern hemisphere). The cultural influences you'll see in Southern Italy are slightly different than the ones you'll recognize in Northern Italy. The south is where you're more likely to see influences from Northern Africa.
Here are a few tidbits about each of the regions in Southern Italy:
Here are a few tidbits about each of the regions in Southern Italy:
Abruzzo
The northernmost region in Southern Italy, this is a popular area for people living in Rome to visit when they want to get back to nature, as most of Abruzzo is an easy day-trip from Rome. Fully one-third of the land in this region is either a national or regional park. Abruzzo boasts a good expanse of coastline (and some great beaches and beach towns) along the Adriatic Sea, and includes the cities of Pescara, Chieti, Sulmona and L'Aquila.
Basilicata
Basilicata occupies the little bit of coastline which is the "instep" of the "boot" that is Italy. As far as tourists are concerned, this is a great region for agriturismo. There is a tiny coastline along the Tyrrhenian Sea on Italy's west coast, and a slightly larger coastline on the Gulf of Taranto, but one of the tourism highlights is undoubtedly the Roman and Greek (and older) ruins found throughout the region. The cities of Matera, Metaponto and Potenza are a few of the cities worth visiting in Basilicata. One of the highlights and figures in UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites are the Caves of Matera (Sassi di Matera): pre-historic houses excavated from Tufa-stone walls. Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano may look like typical Italian hill towns but a closer look reveal Italian stone houses with windowless grottoes, damp walls and earthen floors; These pre-historic houses have attracted renowned scientists, literature masters and artists for many decades - e.g Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of Christ" has been shot here.
Calabria
The "toe" of Italy's "boot" is almost entirely bordered by water, so is understandably famous for its beaches; but this region is primarily mountainous and boasts some great skiing in the winter. Calabria's varied natural landscapes make it an outdoors enthusiast's wonderland, not least because much of it is unspoiled by human development. Many of the region's cities and towns are also worth visiting, including Reggio Calabria (which is just across from the island of Sicily), Tropea, Nicotera, Cosenza and Gerace.
Campania
This is the region most travelers who venture south of Rome are going to visit, because it's where many of the most famous sights and cities in Southern Italy are located. Campania is where you'll find Naples, the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast, the Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Greek ruins at Cumae and Paestum, and the famous little islands of Capri and Ischia.
Molise
Italy's second-smallest region, Molise is also where you're likely to see the smallest number of foreign tourists. There is a small section of coastline along the Adriatic Sea as well as the famous islands of Tremiti which attract many visitors. Some of the cities worth visiting are Campobasso, Termoli and Larino.
Puglia
Sometimes known in English as "Apulia," this region makes up the "heel" of Italy's "boot." It is home to some fantastic beaches, both on the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Gulf of Taranto in the south. Historically, it was primarily an agricultural region, but more recently tourism is becoming a big source of income for Puglia. The area is full of historic sights and cities, including Alberobello ( the city of "trulli" , typical prehistoric cone shaped houses), Lecce with its baroque churches, Salento area and Taranto.
Everything you felt in Northern Italy will be amplified in Southern Italy, it's a trip you'll remember forever.
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