Volo dell'Angelo Zip Line

If you’ve ever wanted to soar like a bird over mountains and stunning landscapes, you can do just that in Basilicata. A high-wire zip line called il Volo dell’Angelo (literally, the flight of the angel) is an open-air thrill ride is located in the Dolomiti Lucane, strung between two picturesque mountain towns, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. The jagged peaks kept the villages isolated on their respective crests until after WWII, but now they have joined together (literally) via two 4,000-feet (1,219 meters) long cables spanning a 1,200 feet (366 meters) deep gorge. The ride launches you at 120 kilometers per hour over gorgeous scenery in one breathtaking minute of invigorating free-flight sensation.

This incredible adrenaline rush somehow seems serene and tranquil as you behold the folds of the landscape, the sheep grazing below and birds flying above, all while flying at high speed. It is a round-trip flight so you get to experience it twice on one ticket! It can be done in tandem or as a single flyer, facing downward to really enjoy the view and sensation of flight!

Of note: You get a ride only to the trailhead in Castelmezzano, then it's a 20 to 30 minute hike uphill to the launch point depending on your pace. In Pietrapertosa, you'll have to walk through the old town and up towards the ruins of the castle and then descend a rocky walkway to the launch point.

Details, hours and more are on their website.