The Others - day 14 (Matera)

How can I begin to explain this extraordinary place? It is like no other place on earth. Built across two Valleys with the cave and stone dwellings dating back to prehistoric times. Built on the steep hillsides with paths and roads twisting in and out of the buildings - almost impossible to navigate. It has taken us quite a few blind alleys and retracing steps just to find our hotel breakfast room as the hotel is spread over numerous separate sites. This morning we had a late (7.30) breakfast and soon set out to explore. Found a little "local produce" store which sold us a bottle of Limoncello for E10 which we had seen in duty free at the airport for 18! Back home to put it in the fridge and set off again to find the main square which we managed quite well. Finding your way around here is a real challenge. Went to the information centre a nd they gave us a great map and explained how to get around really well. Up through the extraordinary streets to the Duomo (Cathedral) which is just magnificent inside but the gold is bit overdone! Back via the old find our around the wall and found a little trattorria with a beautiful view so stopped for a "quick light lunch" but followed the waiters recommendations and ended up with a steak dish for E and a pasta to me which were both abso,Italy beautiful. The food here is simply beautiful with flavours which defy description. Bike ride coming up!