Episode 9: Discovering Basilicata with Valerie Fortney Schneider

Matera (Photo by Valerie Fortney Schneider)

On this episode, we’re exploring one of Italy’s lesser-known regions: Basilicata. To help us discover this beautiful part of southern Italy, we’re chatting with Valerie Fortney Schneider, an American who has family roots in Basilicata and has lived in the region for 10 years. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry and along with her husband, Bryan Schneider, they’ve channeled this experience and passion for Basilicata into their company My Bella Basilicata that specializes in genealogy research and heritage tours of the region. Valerie is also a freelance travel writer and author of the guidebook 52 Things to See and Do in Basilicata. Join us as we go straight to the source for Basilicata insider tips on this episode!

Listen today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, IheartRadio, Google Podcasts and more!

Show Recap:

Valerie shares her in-depth experience and love of Basilicata, a place where her family comes from and where she has lived for 10 years. Learn more about what makes Basilicata such a special and welcoming place to live and why Valerie thinks travelers should spend more time exploring this hidden gem in southern Italy. We chat about the highlights of the region, from Matera, Europe’s oldest city, to mountaintop towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa and the seaside town of Maratea, called the “Pearl of Tyrrhenian Sea.”

What to expect:

Expect to be inspired to pack your bags and head off to discover Basilicata! You’ll learn more about what it’s like to live and travel in this quietly beautiful region of Italy and find out more about the highlights of what to see and do. Basilicata is one of the most mountainous regions of Italy, but also home to some stunning seaside locations. You’ll hear about the welcoming local traditions, historic mountaintop towns, tips for how to get around and, of course, the regional specialties to try while you’re there.

Length of Podcast:

About 30 minutes.

“In Basilicata they have a saying that ‘hospitality is sacred’ and they truly will take you by the hand.”
– Valerie Fortney Schneider

People, Places & Sites Mentioned in this Episode:

Meet Valerie Fortney Schneider – Starts at 2:18
Basilicata lifestyle & charms – Starts at 4:35
“Hospitality is sacred” – 8:10
Discovering roots in Basilicata – 9:00
What to know about traveling in Basilicata – Starts at 10:56
Not to miss: Matera – Starts at 13:14
Not to miss: Castelmezzano – Starts at 13:53
Maratea – “The Pearl of Tyrrhenian Sea” – Starts at 14:24 and continues at 15:05 and 24:00
Basilicata food and drink specialties – Starts at 17:28
Peperoni Cruschi – Starts at 19:19
Navigating Basilicata – Starts at 20:26