Described as the “gem of the Lucanian Dolomites” mountain range,  Castelmezzano is a town seemingly carved into the hillside itself.

Overlooking the vibrant green valley below, the rural Italian town can be reached by a winding road which carves through the mountains.

Nestled in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, the village is twinned with Pietrapertosa, another mountain town, and both are surrounded by breathtaking rural views.

Noted as one of the prettiest towns in Italy, Castelmezzano is characterised by chalky red rooftops and beautiful limestone buildings which stand bold against the surrounding lush green hills.

Winding through the narrow cobbled streets, visitors will note subtle nods to the town’s cultural history with stone statues and religious emblems carved into buildings.

Hidden within the maze of paths, tourists will find traditional Italian cuisine, including a Michelin-star restaurant, the owner serving dishes inspired by her family recipes.

Holidaymakers are also encouraged to embrace the rural surroundings with various hiking routes, including the “Norman Stairway”, a set of 54 steps carved directly into the rockface which leads to a lookout spot along the walls of the ancient Castrum Meridianum.

Thrillseekers have the opportunity to fly between the twinned mediaeval towns on a unique zipline connecting Castelmezzano and Pietrapetrossa, which extends for 1.4km and can reach speeds of up to 120kmph.

The easiest way to reach Castelmezzano is to first fly into Naples, with bargain return tickets available from the UK for as little as £60 through budget airlines.

From Naples, the drive to the rural mountainous town takes around two and a half hours and will tour through beautiful Italian countryside along steep winding roads.

Alternatively, a train journey from Naples takes around two hours to Potenza, the largest town in the Basilicata region, from which travellers can take a bus to Castelmezzano or neighbouring Pietrapertosa.

The best time to visit is over the summer months, which guarantees the best of the sunny weather and is also when the town’s restaurants, bars and cafes are most likely to operate full opening hours.