Not sure how we have managed it, but we have staying in an ancient customs house, to a stone village, a hillside pension and now an ancient cave dwelling. At the same time we have had some of the most incredible food in unique settings.

Matera was once “condemned” by the Italian government. People were living below the poverty line in ancient caves dotting the hillsides. Now it is to be the European Capital of Culture for 2019.

I never ventured out of the old town – surely because I got lost at least a half dozen times wandering the hills.

There are massive stone quarries nearby where much of the raw material for building are procured.