On the roads of Lucania: discovering Basilicata in a 2CV

From 18 to 22 August 2026, a group of friends will be travelling across Basilicata in the legendary Citroën 2CV. A leisurely journey through villages, badlands, landscapes and chance encounters, with Campolattaro and the 5th 2CV Rally as their final destination. A story we’ll be following, day by day.

There are cars that are just for getting from A to B.

And then there are others that seem tailor-made for enjoying everything in between.

The Citroën 2CV It certainly falls into the second category.

Colourful, simple, instantly recognisable, with 18 to 22 August Some of the legendary ‘francesine’ are travelling through Basilicata on a trip organised by Luca Di Bello and Anita, together with a group of friends united by a passion for a car which, over time, has become, above all, a way of travelling.

The name chosen says it all: “Tour of Basilicata: along the roads of Lucania”.

And the motto even more so: “Basilicata at a leisurely pace”.

More than just an itinerary, it’s an invitation to slow down.

Basilicata as seen from the window

The journey begins on 18 August in the Matera area.

The first event is at Pisticci Scalo, including a visit to the Essenza Lucano Museum. Then on to Pisticci, the white village overlooking the landscape of the badlands, and onwards towards Metaponto and the Tavole Palatine, a testament to ancient Magna Graecia.

But you soon realise that on a journey like this, the destination is only part of the story.

The road takes centre stage.

The 2CVs reach the Ionian coast and travel alongside the Mediterranean for a stretch. The soundtrack also emerges spontaneously from the group: first Mediterranean by Mango, then May the Mediterranean be by Eugenio Bennato.

Small gestures that say so much more than a tourist programme.

Because travelling also means looking out of the window and realising that, at that very moment, a song seems to have been written just for that particular road.

«Basilicata really is beautiful!»

Then there is another story that runs alongside the cars: that of the messages the participants exchange during the journey.

«We're cominggggg.».

«The sat-nav tells us we’ll be there in 40 minutes.».

«Let’s meet up at the museum.».

And again, whilst we wait for the latest arrivals:

«At the entrance, just say you’re with us – though they’ll probably work it out from the 2CV 😆».

Some people share a location, some recommend a petrol station, some find the perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat, and some suggest a song.

Right up to the message which, perhaps more than any other, captures the spirit of these days:

«I didn’t know it… Basilicata really is beautiful!»

And it’s hard to imagine a phrase more fitting for Typigo.

Because a surprise destination is exactly that: arriving without knowing exactly what lies in store, and leaving with something more to tell.

From the Mediterranean to the Sinni

Once you leave the Ionian coast, the landscape changes once again.

Cars drive through the the River Sinni and shortly afterwards, looking up, it appears Valsinni, the little village linked to the history and poetry of Isabella Morra.

Then the road leads towards Senise and the large reservoir at Mount Cotugno.

The sea, rivers, villages, dams, the countryside.

Within the space of a few hours, Basilicata is constantly changing its appearance.

These are places that would hardly all feature together in an itinerary centred on the best-known destinations; yet, when explored at a leisurely pace, they reveal a different side to the region.

Not just a list of attractions to tick off.

A way forward.

From the badlands to the Lucanian Dolomites

On 19 August, the journey continues as we enter one of Basilicata’s most stunning landscapes: that of the gorges.

Bare earth, ridges, and clay shaped by time that seem to belong to a place far, far away.

The route leads towards Aliano, the village where Carlo Levi spent part of his exile in Basilicata and which still maintains a deep connection with his history and his work.

Then we’re off again.

The little 2CVs are back on the winding roads of Basilicata, heading towards Castelmezzano.

And here’s another transformation.

From the arid land of the badlands to the rocks of the Lucanian Dolomites. From open countryside to mountains. From fast roads to winding roads climbing up towards small villages.

Just a few kilometres away and it feels as though you’re somewhere else.

Power and the freedom to choose one’s own path

On 20 August, the tour will reach Power, Italy’s highest provincial capital, for a day spent exploring the town and its traditions.

Then perhaps the day will come that best captures the very spirit of the 2CV.

On 21 August, the programme actually gives viewers a choice.

You can follow a route through history and murals, passing through Balvano, Romagnano al Monte, Vietri di Potenza and Sant’Angelo Le Fratte.

Or opt for nature and crafts, passing through the Sellata Pass, Piano della Lago, Calvello and Marsicovetere.

And for those who prefer to plan their day as they see fit, Basilicata offers other options: the The Tibetan Bridge at Sasso di Castalda, the The Flight of the Angel between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, the Vulture and the Monticchio Lakes or the San Fele Waterfalls.

Different paths.

The same desire: to discover.

Destination: Campolattaro

On Saturday 22 August, it will be time to leave Basilicata.

The 2CVs will set off again, heading towards Campolattaro, in the Benevento area, where the journey will lead to the 5th Campolattaro 2CV Meet.

That will be the final destination.

At least on paper.

Because the most important part of the journey will probably have already happened: between a bend and a stop, an unexpected encounter, a photograph, a laugh and a village that suddenly appeared beyond the windscreen.

This story continues

In fact, this article, That’s not all.

Until 22 August, we’ll be updating this as we go along: authentic photographs, encounters, little detours, messages and anecdotes gathered along the way.

A short Typigo travel log to tell the story of Basilicata as someone is actually travelling through and exploring it.

Because there are places you can visit by following a list.

And places that simply ask to be travelled through.

Basilicata definitely falls into the latter category.

And perhaps an old 2CV, with its unhurried pace and that natural ability to bring a smile to people’s faces wherever it goes, is one of the loveliest ways to discover it.

Road after road. Village after village. Surprise after surprise.

And if you happen to come across one — red, yellow, blue or green — on the roads of Lucania these days, Say hello to her.

There’s probably someone in there who’s discovering just how lovely Basilicata is. 😊

Surprise Destination.

Logbook | 18 August

Here we go

Pisticci, Metaponto, the Jonica road, the Sinni, Valsinni and Monte Cotugno. The first 2CVs are on the roads of Basilicata, and a message has already arrived that makes the journey worthwhile:

«I didn’t know it… Basilicata really is beautiful!»