Matera - High mountains and long roads, see the world for yourself!

Here is a Matera travel guide: Pre-trip preparation: Documents: Prepare your passport, visa and other necessary travel documents, ensuring they are valid. It is also recommended to bring copies of your documents in case of emergencies. Clothing: Pack appropriate clothing according to the season. Matera has a large temperature difference between day and night, even in summer, nights can be cool, so it is best to bring a light jacket. If you are visiting in winter, you will need to bring a thick coat, scarf, gloves and other warm clothing. Shoes: As Matera is a mountain city, there are many uphill and downhill slopes and stone roads. It is recommended to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for easy walking. Other items: Prepare a camera, charger, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat and other items. Additionally, you can bring some commonly used medicines, such as cold medicine, fever reducer, anti-inflammatory medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, etc. Transportation: Airplane: The nearest airport is Bari Airport. From Bari Airport, you can take a train, bus or taxi to Matera. Train: Matera is the terminus of the Bari - Matera narrow-gauge railway. You can take a train from other Italian cities to Bari, and then transfer to a train to Matera. Bus: Private companies offer bus connections to Matera. You can take a bus from major Italian cities. Self-driving: If you rent a car in Italy, you can connect to Matera via SS99 National Highway and A14 Bologna - Taranto Expressway. However, please pay attention to Italian traffic rules and driving habits. Recommended attractions: Sassi di Matera: This is Matera's most famous attraction, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sassi di Matera is composed of ancient cave dwellings, built into the mountainside, forming a unique landscape. Here you can visit cave churches and museums to learn about Matera's history and culture. Matera Cathedral (Duomo di Matera): Located in the heart of Matera, it is a Romanesque-style church. The church has a unique architectural style and beautiful interior decoration, worth a visit. Murgia National Park (Parco della Murgia Materana): Established in 1990, it includes the territory of Gravina di Matera and about 150 rock churches scattered along the canyon and slopes of the Murgia plateau. This is a prehistoric human settlement, preserving Paleolithic remains, offering beautiful natural scenery and historical relics. Movie filming location: Matera is the filming location for many movies, such as "The Passion of the Christ", "No Time to Die", "Wonder Woman", etc. You can visit these movie filming locations and experience the scenes from the movies. Recommended food: Cavatelli: This is Matera's local specialty pasta, shaped like a shell, with a chewy texture. It is usually served with tomato sauce, sausage and other seasonings, with a delicious flavor. Focaccia: One of Italy's traditional breads, also popular in Matera. The bread has a crispy surface and a soft interior. It can be paired with various ingredients, such as olive oil, tomato, cheese, ham, etc. Pasticciotto: A specialty dessert from the Puglia region, shaped like a Chinese gold ingot. The outer shell is baked crispy, and the inside is filled with cream. The sweetness is moderate, making it a must-try dessert for local cuisine. Accommodation options: Cave hotel: Experiencing cave life in Matera is a unique experience. You can choose to stay in a cave hotel or guesthouse. These cave dwellings have been renovated, with complete facilities, allowing you to experience the ancient atmosphere while enjoying modern comfort. City center hotel: If you want convenient access, you can choose to stay in a hotel in the city center. This makes it easy to visit Matera's various attractions, and the surrounding dining and shopping facilities are also more complete. Travel time: Matera is not large, generally recommended for 1-2 days of travel. If you have more time, you can stay in Matera for a few more days to learn more about the local history, culture and customs. Shopping recommendations: Handicrafts: Matera has many handicraft shops, where you can buy local specialty handicrafts, such as ceramics, wood carvings, textiles, etc. These handicrafts are exquisitely made and have high artistic value. Wine: The Puglia region is one of Italy's wine-producing areas. There are many vineyards and wineries around Matera, where you can taste local wines and buy some as souvenirs.