Florence to Matera coach

Florence is located in Central-Northern Italy, in the lush Tuscany region. Regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, this city is an art lover's idea of heaven. The city's plethora of museums, palaces, churches, and artistic treasures landed Florence the #1 spot in our ranking of the most cultured cities in Europe.

Visit the Uffizi Gallery to see many of the world's greatest Renaissance masterpieces, including work by Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David in his birthday suit is on view at the Accademia Galleria. The Institute and Museum of the History of Science is another must-see attraction to learn about the scientific instruments vital to some of the 13th century's world-changing discoveries.

After you have finished exploring Florence's many museums and galleries, head outside to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the Boboli Gardens and appreciate this stunning example of "green architecture."

The city is also home to almost every high-end designer label you can bring to mind, as well as museums dedicated to Gucci and Ferragamo. For a less expensive shopping experience, visit one of the many affordable boutiques and local clothing stores for a more authentic taste of the city.

Florence is a top-rated destination, meaning it has well-established international and national travel connections. Florence's Amerigo Vespucci International Airport makes air travel simple. Fast and modern trains also connect the city to numerous European cities, and many coach carriers offer frequent services to Florence.

Located in the region of Basilicata, the small city of Matera is often overlooked by travellers. Matera's rocky landscape made it difficult to build a traditional city throughout its history. In the Sassi area of Matera, residents dating back to the Palaeolithic era worked with nature to carve homes and buildings from the cliffs. The Sassi area of cave dwellings, inhabited until 1952, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, Matera has lots more to offer visitors aside from its unusual architecture.

For a city this storied, it's best to take a guided tour to learn all about Matera's fascinating, long history. The city and surrounding area are home to around 100 churches, many filled with unique art and stone carvings. To see how many of the town's residents once lived, visit the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a recreated cave dwelling.

To fully immerse yourself, you can even stay in one of the boutique hotels built inside the caves. After a day spent wandering through Matera's narrow winding streets, spend the night in one of the converted traditional Sassi for a truly authentic experience of Matera.

Since Matera is a relatively small town, the transportation options are limited. The closest airport is located near Bari, around 60km away. However, several coaches provide service to Matera from cities including Bari, Naples, Rome, and more.