Imagine if the Amalfi Coast was all but unknown — that’s the charm of Maratea. Bordered by Campania to the north and Calabria to the south, the municipality occupies the only portion of the Tyrrhenian coast in the whole of Basilicata. It’s a near 20-mile stretch home to striking black-sand beaches, boat-fresh seafood and panoramic vistas overlooking the glittering Gulf of Policastro.

But despite possessing all the hallmarks of the quintessential Italian seaside getaway, the Maratea area is yet to draw the crowds associated with its better-known coastal counterparts. It’s also more accessible than ever thanks to recently launched British Airways flights from London to Salerno — located just an hour and 45 minutes by car or an hour and 15 minutes by train.