I just had the most amazing vacation at the Orangerie Retreat in La Rabatana, Basilicata! This place is incredible. I stayed in the Mandarine, a 1000 year old building that is as beautiful as it is old. The thought and attention to detail in this apartment are just incredible. Make sure to have Martine show you the “before” photos when you stay here, you will be even more astounded at what she has created! The views from the apartment are spectacular - it is impossible not to fall in love with it. We packed so much into this vacation, from visiting abandoned churches and convents, to 6th century BC Greek ruins, to going to the abandoned town of Craco, to enjoying languid days at the exquisite local beaches. The local cuisine is fabulous, as is the local wine. Martine made sure the calendar was as full as we wanted it to be, with really cool things to see and do. Evenings were spent with glasses of wine enjoyed either in the candlelit Arab archway or taking in the nighttime view from the opposite balcony, which is also stunningly beautiful. I loved that Tursi and La Rabatana are very low tourist places. I didn’t see a single tour bus while there. Everything was so authentic, it was easy to feel a part of the local life and have a completely different travel experience. I am looking forward to a return trip,...I just had the most amazing vacation at the Orangerie Retreat in La Rabatana, Basilicata!
This place is incredible. I stayed in the Mandarine, a 1000 year old building that is as beautiful as it is old. The thought and attention to detail in this apartment are just incredible.

Make sure to have Martine show you the “before” photos when you stay here, you will be even more astounded at what she has created!
The views from the apartment are spectacular - it is impossible not to fall in love with it.

We packed so much into this vacation, from visiting abandoned churches and convents, to 6th century BC Greek ruins, to going to the abandoned town of Craco, to enjoying languid days at the exquisite local beaches. The local cuisine is fabulous, as is the local wine. Martine made sure the calendar was as full as we wanted it to be, with really cool things to see and do. Evenings were spent with glasses of wine enjoyed either in the candlelit Arab archway or taking in the nighttime view from the opposite balcony, which is also stunningly beautiful.

I loved that Tursi and La Rabatana are very low tourist places. I didn’t see a single tour bus while there. Everything was so authentic, it was easy to feel a part of the local life and have a completely different travel experience.

I am looking forward to a return trip, hopefully sooner rather than later. When you read the guest book you will see that everyone else is too! It’s hard to imagine not coming back here - Martine is just wonderful and this place is an absolute treasure. I feel so lucky to have found it ️

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