Matera, in the arch of Italy’s boot, is based in the region of Basilicata. Car hire in Matera, which lies in a small canyon due to erosion caused by a stream called the Gravina, enables you to access whole swathes of Southern Italy. The ‘Sassi’, in the ancient town, are stones which are thought to be the remains of some of the first human settlements in Italy, and originate from a troglodyte, prehistoric settlement. Hiring a car in Matera allows you to base yourself in this interesting and historical town, whilst accessing cities like the important port of Taranto, a coastal city only an hour and six minutes away.