This was a journey into the past. Atena Lucana, the old city, is high on the mountain top and overlooks a spectacular valley below. It has breathtaking views. You need to be a mountain goat to climb and explore the streets. But if you love antiquity and have a sense of adventure, you won't be disappointed. The church of St Ciro is quite beautiful. The town folks (pop 2000) are friendly and proud of it's rich heritage. You feel the genuine sense of loss as families were forced to leave due to the lack of employment since the turn of the 20th century. They all have stories about where family members have emigrated to. This is more of an adult vacation, not much for youngsters to do. It is the real rural Italy, not one of the fast paced urban centers. You can breathe fresh air and gain a sense of serenity. Sometimes just sitting still is more than enough to do.