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April 10, 2014

Francis Ford Coppola’s Palazzo Margherita Offers Italy’s Finest Things

By Chris Boyle

francis coppola_In Basilicata, one of Italy’s most unspoiled regions, travelers can enjoy authentic regional cuisine, custom-tailored clothing, traditional ceramics, handmade jewelry, and embroidered linens –all of the finest things that Italy has to offer.

Nestled amongst rolling hills and in the charming town of Bernalda, Francis Ford Coppola’s Palazzo Margherita offers not only a stunning retreat but access to authentic regional cuisine along with curated itineraries featuring extraordinary local artisans.

Feast like a native on authentic Southern Italian cuisine made from the freshest locally grown, organic ingredients.

The Palazzo Margherita Culinary Package offers a special welcome drink with cheese tasting, four hands-on Italian cooking classes with accompanying dinners (starter through dessert), a book of recipes, an embroidered linen apron, one traditional pasta-making tool and a chef-guided tour of the local fish and traditional food markets in nearby Matera.

And to experience everything else the area has to offer, journey into delightful nearby villages on the popular Artisan Shopping Tour where you can purchase goods expertly handcrafted by local artists, while truly relishing a life untouched by modern tourism:

Ceramics in Grottaglie

The city of ceramics, Grottaglie is positioned in an area extremely rich in clay and has been active in the production of ceramics for many centuries. The production is divided into two major branches, that of the arte ‘ruagnara’ used to manufacture common house hold crockery inspired by traditional peasant ceramics, and that of the arte ‘faenzara,’ highly decorated and precious ornamental pieces for a more elite market.

Custom-tailored clothing in Ginosa

Ginosa is home to Angelo Inglese, one of the area’s top tailors. Famous for having made Prince William’s marriage shirt, Angelo can meet guests at the Palazzo to take their measurements and then create a custom shirt in a matter of days. There is also a large selection of scarves made with an ancient loom, handmade cashmere neckties, and exquisite suits.

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Jewelry, woodworking and sculpture in Matera Matera is home to many talented artisans. Two young women here create unique pieces called “sculpture jewelry” using recycled copper tubes, textiles, electrical wires and other discarded materials. The use of glass and natural stones gives each item an elegant and original look for the modern and eco-conscious woman.

A dynamic woodworker carries on the practice of his ancestors, creating everything from everyday objects to carved and inlaid furniture. And two brothers practice the Materan tradition of tufa stone pot sculpting.

Embroidered linens

The region also offers several choices in artisans who have conserved the tradition of linen embroidery and can personalize any item upon request from elegant hand-stitched tablecloths to napkins and placemats.

Visit www.coppolaresorts.com/palazzomargherita

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