THE FAMILY COPPOLA’S PALAZZO MARGHERITA INVITES GUESTS ON A JOURNEY TO DISCOVER “AUTHENTIC BASILICA

Sojourn to Francis Ford Coppola’s luxurious Italian villa Palazzo Margherita to spend four days (May 13-16) off-the-beaten-path in Basilicata - one of Italy’s few remaining regions still untouched by the inconveniences of modern-day tourism. This package will offer guests a one-of-a-kind, curated trip that is sure to leave them with a true taste of Italian culture.

Guests will experience some of the region’s most sacred sites and rituals including “Maggio di Accettura” or “marriage between trees.” Dedicated to the patron saint of San Giuliano, visitors will travel to Accettura, located within Lucanian Park, where they will get to participate in this ancient spring celebration that culminates with the symbolic marriage of a holly tree and a May or turkey oak tree. As they partake in this solemn ritual, guests will enjoy a feast of sausages, cheese, omelets, biscuits and bottles of good wine.

Visitors will also have a chance to go on a guided tour of the ancient Sassi area of Matera, a prehistoric settlement carved out of calcarenitic limestone. Named the “2019 European Capital of Culture” in Italy, here visitors will dine at a typical Basilicatan trattoria and visit the 13th century Matera Cathedral which recently reopened after a decade of restoration during which a new chapel was discovered underneath the existing structure.

During their stay, guests will also have the opportunity to stroll through the historical center of Bernalda on ancient cobblestone streets, learn to make pasta from scratch using only flour and water, tour and shop at local arts & craft studios, meet with the “casaro” (local cheesemaker) to experience traditional and artisanal methods for making fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese and enjoy a “giropizza” style meal consisting of homemade pizza and the best craft beers from Bernalda.

Taking place Friday, May 13, 2016 – Monday, May 16, 2016, the “Authentic Basilicata” package is 630 Euro (approx. US $709) per person and includes three full days of activities listed above, all meals, a driver and an English-speaking tour guide. Cost of accommodations not included.

For more information, please contact info@bennettmercado.com.

About The Family Coppola Resorts Drawing upon inspiration from Francis Ford Coppola’s travels to the far reaching corners of the world, the properties include Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn in Belize, La Lancha in Guatemala, Jardin Escondido in Argentina and Palazzo Margherita in Italy. The Belize properties have been listed as the “Best Resorts in Central + South America” by Travel + Leisure magazine, as well as many other travel authorities. Palazzo Margherita in Italy has been named to Conde Nast Traveller’s Hot List for multiple years and the nearby city of Matera was recently selected as the “2019 European Capital of Culture” in Italy. For more information, please visit www.thefamilyCoppolaResorts.com.