EXPERIENCE THE HEART OF BASILICATA’S LOCAL ITALIAN CUISINE WITH HOTEL SANTAVENERE’S NEW ‘DINE AROUND’ PACKAGE

• The new ‘Dine Around’ package invites guests to embark on a culinary journey that blends the past and present of Basilicata’s food and wine culture 

• Nestled in the town of Maratea in Italy, Hotel Santavenere sits on the doorstep of a number of local restaurants which contribute to the culinary excellence of the region and remain yet to be discovered 

Hotel Santavenere in Maratea, Italy, has launched a new package in time for the hotel’s seasonal re-opening on 24th April 2024. 

This Spring, travellers are invited to discover Basilicata’s food and wine culture with Hotel Santavenere’s ‘Dine Around’ offer – a special culinary journey available for a limited time only from 24th April until 6th June. 

What does the package include? 3 nights in a Superior Double Room on a half-board basis. The half-board entitles guests to dine each evening in any of the hotel’s three restaurants – Gli Ulivi, Le Laterne and Il Carrubo – or at local restaurants in the town of Maratea which have been handpicked by the Hotel Santavenere team. 

It is these local restaurants that contribute to the culinary excellence of the area which remains somewhat undiscovered by international travellers. Hotel Santavenere invite their guests to discover these restaurants which enhance Lucanian food and wine culture and have the capability to really put Maratea on the map. Restaurants include i Sapori Di Marianna, Lanterna Rossa, and La Cambusa– to name only a few. 

Hotel Santavenere aspires to show travellers the hidden gem that is Maratea – a small Italian town which holds a panoramic position on one of the most inspiring expanses along the Gulf of Policastro. The Italian town is often left out from popular travel itineraries, such as those involving the Amalfi Coast which is only two and a half hours away by car, or Rome which is just three hours away by train. 

In Maratea, guests can discover a piece of Italy that still feels exclusive. The destination has exceptional features that make it ready to assert itself on both the national and international scene: breathtaking landscapes, wild nature, a clear sea with a thousand shades, a coastline full of inlets and caves to discover, and finally – an authentic “Italian Summer” atmosphere – including incredible food, of course. 

Below, we take a look at some of the local restaurants included in the ‘Dine Around’ package. 

I Sapori Di Marianna 

Marianna approached the kitchen as a child. At the age of just twelve she enjoyed cooking for friends and family, and before too long she started working in a well-known restaurant in the town of Maratea. It was there that she learnt the Lucanian tradition and all its facets. In 2006, Marianna opened her own restaurant – i Sapori Di Marianna – in the historic town of Maratea which prides itself on its zero km cuisine inspired by Maratea and the surrounding region. 

Lanterna Rossa 

Overlooking the port of Maratea, Lanterna Rossa is located on the charming terrace of an ancient fishermen’s house which leans out towards the boats and the breadth of the sea. Owner of Lanterna Rossa, Dario Amaro, is a young Lucanian Chef who brings his international experience to the small town of Maratea. An open kitchen concept with fresh local ingredients and produce grown in the kitchen garden; Dario Amaro says dishes are born like stories, with the suggestions of seasons and places linked by a common thread. 

La Cambusa 

It was in the 1950s when a husband-and-wife duo, Rosa and Pietro, decided to open a small restaurant with the desire to introduce local seafood cuisine to the first tourists who timidly set out to discover a still unexplored Maratea. Pietro, coming from a family of fishermen, procures fresh fish every morning and Rosa transfers her passion into the recipes that she uses to enhance the fruit of her husband’s work. Thus was born a combination of quality and tradition which over the years became the basis of their success. It is from this story that La Cambusa was born. The objective is to act as a connecting thread between the past and the present – a concept that finds space in the menu thanks to the symbiotic presence of traditional recipes alongside other more innovative ones. An experience that covers more than fifty years of local culinary history. 

Dining at Hotel Santavenere 

At Hotel Santavenere, diners will have a choice of three restaurants: Le Laterne which offers traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist, Gli Ulivi which directly translates to ‘an oasis of peace surrounded by olive trees,’ and Il Carrubo which is located on the Santavenere beach club, an elegant terrace overlooking the sea just a stone’s throw from the pier. 

La Laterne 

Le Laterne offers tasting menus carefully designed by the hotel’s Chefs to take diners on a journey through local flavours and to taste innovation. The menu is packed with historical dishes that have been revived and revisited to truly celebrate the dolce vita of the past and present.  

Gli Ulivi 

Gli Ulivi is the hotel’s poolside restaurant which offers light, fresh dishes for those wanting to have a quick bite, brunch or an aperitivo. Thanks to its wood-fired oven, guests can enjoy freshly made, traditional Italian pizzas during lunch and dinner, too. Being surrounded by the olive and lemon trees of the hotel’s garden, the unmistakable scent of warm Mediterranean Sea air, and a gentle ocean breeze promise guests an unforgettable al fresco dining experience. 

Il Carrubo 

Il Carrubo, open daily for lunch and for dinner at weekends, is the hotel’s seafront restaurant where diners can taste the catch of the day, choosing it directly from the counter and specifying their preferred cooking method. Il Carrubo offers the typical flavours of the sea whilst promising a romantic sunset dining spot. Visit Il Carrubo on a Friday to try the restaurant’s ‘Italian Friday’ – a celebration of Maratea – where guests can discover the traditions of the region through local flavours and music.  

Foodie Experiences in Maratea 

For guests who would like to immerse themselves in the local gastronomy even more so, Hotel Santavenere can organise cooking classes with its resident Chef who will reveal the secrets of a local recipe. Guests can also embrace the local culture with the hotel’s organised fishing experience or food tour. For guests who want to go one step further, the hotel is also able to host a cocktail class so guests can learn the art of classic Italian cocktails. Hugo Spritz, anyone? 

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Editors notes

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Prices start from €289 (approx. £247) for a Superior Double Room on a half-board basis. Minimum stay of 3 nights required for the ‘Dine Around’ package. 

The nearest international airport is Naples (approx. 2 hours 30 mins by car), and the nearest train station is Maratea (less than 5 minutes by car). For further information please visit https://santavenere.it/en/santa-venere-maratea-eng/. 

About Hotel Santavenere  

Built in the 1950s, Santavenere was conceived as an aristocratic villa, a welcoming home where every detail is elegantly crafted, and hospitality is tailor-made. Covering over three thousand square meters, Santavenere encapsulates its timeless beauty in 34 rooms and several spacious lounges. Each room, all bright and distinct from one another, possesses its own identity that narrates a connection with the local surroundings. The grand, sun-filled lounges are meticulously furnished with historic Vietri tiles, late 18th-century furniture, Minturno ceramics, and rare artisanal objects. Santavenere best expresses the essence of a region to be rediscovered; it is a place from another era, rich in history and contemporary emotions – not just a hotel, but a genuine experience. 

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