Airstream
A beautifully renovated 1972 Airstream Overlander set in a beautiful field near Monopoli, Puglia, overlooking the orange grove with stunning 160 degree views of the sea.
The philosophy was clear — to restore the caves without destroying their history.
Sextantio Grotte della Civita
How would you describe Sextantio Grotte della Civita in a nutshell?
It’s an unbelievable experience. There is no other word to explain the hospitality experience that you can have here. Sextantio Grotte della Civita is absolutely unique.
The hotel consists of various ancient caves in the middle of Matera which is a UNESCO listed village, in Basilicata, southern Italy. When staying here, you can sense the history of the place. You feel as if you’ve been sent back in time, living in prehistoric times, but with all the modern luxuries.
How would you describe the philosophy of the hotel?
The philosophy was clear — to restore the caves without destroying their history. We wanted to keep the original function, the integrity. Nothing was done to change the caves, we only restored and protected them over a period of ten years.
The experience of sleeping in a cave is amazing. The caves are so big. We offer classic rooms, superior rooms, plus suite caves with all of the amenities of modern living including heat and very comfortable beds. In the grotto, there’s an old church where we serve breakfast. We don’t have a restaurant in the hotel as there are many good ones in the area.
The reviews are amazing. We receive incredible feedback from the holiday guests. It’s just such a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
The 3 Classic rooms are all 35 sqm caves and feature a comfortable king-size bed and en-suite bathroom (one with a tub the other two with a shower).
Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.
There are 8 Superior rooms between 45 and 70 sqm. They offer a comfortable double bed (a few also have a third full bed), a living area and a bathroom with a freestanding bath tub.
Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.
There are 4 Suites between 70 and 150 sqm. They offer a comfortable double bed (the Family Suite has 2 more single beds), a living area and a bathroom with a freestanding bath tub.
Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.
There are several excursions going to various very old caves nearby. A walk through the Sassi caves is also amazing. It’s a special, out-of-time experience. And there’s even a place nearby where Mel Gibson shot scenes for The Passion of the Christ.
Matera is the last example of people living in caves exactly as man lived 2,000 or 3,000 years ago. In 1959, the prime minister went to Matera and discovered that people were still living in caves and was ashamed. He took people out of the caves and built them a new town, so the caves were abandoned. Fortunately, a professor of history advised to protect them as they were very unique. You can’t find a town in the world where 60 years ago people were living in caves like prehistoric man. Daniele Kihlgren, half Italian, half Swedish, discovered the abandoned caves of Matera and saw the potential of what they could be. He bought 18 caves and decided to restore them back to the way they were in 1959.
Sextantio Grotte della Civita is just a few kilometers from Puglia, a nice, historical town. It’s the best touristy holiday area in Italy, especially in the summer. The town is very old and faces the sea and the weather is amazing. We are also just one hour from the beach and one hour from the mountains.
Matera is just beside Calabria in Southern Italy and the weather here is warm all year round. August is very hot, so the best time would be from April to end of June, and from September through October.
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