Molise remains one of the few areas in Italy unpolluted by mass tourism; it preserves the purity of the air, the colour of the sky, the magic of the snow, the hills, the rocks, the houses on the hills that offer the sensation of a vacation as a discovery to tell. The receptive structures inside the oldest part of the towns represent an alternative lodging solution to those who wants to find out the Matese area.
The coast, 38 km long, is well organised in the towns of Montenero di Bisaccia, Petacciato, Termoli and Campomarino. The harbour of Termoli is connected ,through an effective net of ships, to Tremiti Islands, a paradise for subs.
The present territory of Molise was part of Samnium 2.500 years ago. The Samnites were a severe population with a solid socio-economic, religious and military structure. Their religion was polytheistic. The most complete evidence is given by the Tavola Osca, a rectangular bronze dating back to III century b.C. , found in 1848 in Capracotta and kept in the British Museum in London.
At this respect, Molise has several cultural routes: The Museo Sannitico (Samnitic Museum)in Campobasso, Altilia in Sepino, the Teatro Sannitico (Samnitic Amphitheatre) in Pietrabbondante, the Museo Civico (Town museum)in Baranello, the Museo Archeologico (Archaeological museum) in Isernia and in Venafro. Other museums are: Museo della Zampogna in Scapoli, Museo dei Ferri Taglienti in Frosolone, Museo delle Campane in Agnone, which are characterized by the world famous handcraft of Molise. Important churches to visit are the Dome in Termoli, dating back to XIII cent, whose crypt contains the remains of the former church of Santa Maria dating back to XI cent. The Cathedral in Trivento was dedicated to the Saints Nazario, Celso and Vittore on 15 May 1076; from the inside the way in to the crypt of Saint Casto built in the XII century. The Dome in Larino is worth a visit too. At a few kilometres from Isernia lies the Sanctuary of Castelpetroso, the only Sanctuary in Molise; in neo-gothic style, it dates back to 1890 and it is dedicated to the Madonna dell’Addolorata who, according to the tradition ,had appeared to two shepherdesses in March 1888.
The Matese area offers the possibility to make excursions in the Nature and to practice several sports. Roccamandolfi offers an unpolluted landscape with no human traces. Guardaregia and Campochiaro offers the possibility to explore the WWF oasis. Campitello Matese is the most crowded ski resort in Molise. Frosolone, Sepino, Castropignano and Casalciprano are the ideal for the paragliding. Horse riding, trekking, cross-country and mountain bike can be practiced on the Mainarde massif, which extends along the province of Isernia, where there are the sites of Collemeluccio and Montedimezzo MAB (Man and Biosphere), instituted by Unesco. Speleologic excursions in the second longest cave in Italy can be carried out in Matese; rock climbing can be practiced on Frosolone mountain; fishing can be practiced along the many rivers full of trout and in the lake of Civitanova del Sannio. The roads in the Matese area offer ideal conditions for practicing bicycle riding, too.
It is worth tasting food and wine specials in Molise during fairs and popular festivals.
At Christmas night in Oratino, near Campobasso, on the Church square a torch more than ten metres high is put on fire; in the town of Agnone, similarly, on Christmas Eve particular torches called ‘ndocce are brought on parade by people dressed up as typical Molisean shepherds. The Carnival in Tufara is represented by the mask of the devil, as in Rocchetta al Volturno is performed the Carnival of Uomo Cervo (the deer man). Equally peculiar the Festival of the Wheat in Jelsi (on 26 July) and the Festival of the Pezzata in Capracotta, which recalls the typical food of ancient Molisean shepherds. In Frosolone, which is famous for the world longest twist cheese, take place the Corsa degli Asini (the donkeys race) and the Festival of Vacca Argentina (Argentine cow). Finally, in Riccia in September takes place the Festival of Grapes with colourful parades and a lot of good wine! This is why in Molise today past and present coexist in a peaceful nature and among hospitable people without corrupting the balance built in decades of history and traditions.