Visitare l'Italia nel 2015

Firstly I must appologise for the inconsistent blogging nature, juggling 3 jobs and what I have left of a life is tricky, but I promise to try and make more time for it!!

Now for the more exciting news of the day! I wanted to inform you all of my future plans as I am getting EXTREMELY excited for my next trip. I am off to Venice next week! It shall be my first time in Italy and one that is long overdue.

Photo taken from Casa Sant'Andrea Website: http://bit.ly/1FYXQ7q

I am away for 3 nights / 4 days with my boyfriend, staying at the Casa Sant'Andrea Hotel right along the Santa Chiara canal.

I have been warned of the sewage sitation in Venice and I am kind of glad that we are not visiting in the height of summer I have to say...

I shall have many photos and information about the accomodation and my first experience of Italy on my blog as soon as I am home! I can't wait to find a little coffee shop by the canal and get my notepad out, although the boyfriend may feel slightly neglected...

I have also once again emptied the bank account on yet another trip to Italy, this time to the South to finally visit the beautiful region of Basilicata at the beginning of July. For those of you who read my last blog on the Destinations Travel Show, you would have already heard about why it means so much for me to visit this region however for those that do not let me fill you in...

I work for redPepper Marketing who represents this stunning region, and having helped to write a guidebook and blogged about the area for over a year I felt that 2015 was the year I had to go. There is so much to see and do in Basilicata and has something for everyone of all ages, however I am travelling to the city of Matera with my best friend. Matera is such a special place, not only is it famous for its UNESCO world heritage site of the Sassi District, where lines of cave dwellings sit inside the rock, but it is also the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Pretty impressive huh?!

The Sassi, Matera 

Travelling from Bari, it is only a 45 minute drive from the airport into Matera, and our hotel is in the center! It is called Hotel Sassi and is a transformed cave dwelling. (For more info on hotels and other accomodation in Matera visit http://www.discoverbasilicata.com/accomodation/)

 I am visiting Matera at the start of July to not only catch a glimpse of the Southern Italian sunshine (and trust me with my current ghost like complexion I am in dire need of some!) but I am also going at that time for a reason. Annually on the second of July every year there is a big festival located in Matera, it's for the patron saint called The Madonna Della Bruna, where a day of festivites and excitement is based around a statue of the saint being carried around the town on a beautifully designed float, which later in the day is ripped apart by the crowds as a piece represents good fortune. The festival is ended by a fireworks display over the ravine.

There are lots of reasons why you should travel to  Basilicata but this event in particular is something special, and something I cannot wait to experience. For a more detailed description of the festival check out my blog on the 'discover basilicata' website! http://bit.ly/19tSVRf

Don't forget to keep up to date with me on twitter, instagram and facebook to get a live feed on all of my discoveries in Venice.

Speak to you soon,

Jadeene. x


Photos credited with permission from http://www.discoverbasilicata.com/