5 places at the sea to visit in Italy for summer 2020 - Ponza, Favignana, Polignano a Mare, Procida e Maratea

This summer promises to be quite unusual, made of social distancing, masks, new rules and many doubts, but after months of lockdown, everyone wants to escape and relax surrounded by nature. So, if taking the plane and traveling to distant lands seems too complicated or even impossible, why not opt for the Italian coast? According to the latest data and the magazine of the Italian Touring Club, 2020 tourism will have an amarcord mood as in post-war Italy: short trips around the Bel Paese, maybe to small villages and towns, but slow, low coast, sustainable and outdoor.

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There are summers that we will carry forever, summers that we will remember, summers that we will dream of living again. #tbt to those summers that are imprinted in our heart, under our skin and in our memory...2018 was definitely a special one for us which one was yours? #howitalyfeels . . @ahhtash @grant_tyrrell @angx81 @louisfraga @theodora_sun @raffomarone @michaelthadcarter . . . . . . . . . #marinadipraia #praiano #italy #italysegreta #secretitaly #travelerinitaly #summerinitaly #italiansummer #italiadavivere #summeressence #italylovers #italianholiday #dolcefarniente #amalficoast

A post shared by Italy Segreta (@italysegreta) on Jun 10, 2020 at 8:54pm PDT

Like the world of fashion, Italians rediscover the Mediterranean aesthetic, a romantic and enjoyable postcard combining laid tables, good food, blue sea, umbrellas and towels, green fields, friends and happy families enjoying the sun and the beauty of simple things.

Perched on Mount San Biagio, Maratea, with its 30 km coastline of beaches, coves, cliffs overlooking the sea and caves, is the only city in Basilicata overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The nearest airport is Lamezia Terme, but you can reach it by train or by taking the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway.

What to do.

Due to the morphology of the city, with its medieval layout of narrow streets perched on steep hills, Maratea is perfect for trekking. Walking along the rocky paths you can admire some of the most beautiful views of the Gulf of Policastro, but also stop to visit the Basilica of San Biagio, the church of the Immacolata, the ancient church of San Vito or one of the other 44 religious buildings scattered throughout the territory. Nature lovers can organize excursions to the parks surrounding the city such as the Pollino National Park.

The beaches.

Beaches, caves, rocky cliffs overhanging the sea and deep seabed are perfect for those who love water sports, but also for those who just want to bask in the sun or take a swim. Cala Jannita and the beach of Policoro are some of the most beautiful views. The first is immersed in an extensive forest, while the second is famous for its dark sand, almost black due to its volcanic origin. Do not miss the D'I Vranne beach, a strip of sand surrounded by a steep cliff that can only be reached by sea. Nearby is the beautiful cave of San Giorgio.

Food.

The typical dishes to taste are those of the Mediterranean bush and combine products from the sea and land: strawberries, apricots, olives, aubergines, borlotti beans, fish. The menu of Maratea includes bran peppers (i.e. crunchy), luganeda, caciocavallo, spaghetti alla scapece, Mostaccioli and Zeppole.

Fun fact.

Maratea is also known for the Cristo Redentore, a statue more than 22 meters high located on the top of Mount San Biagio which dominates the city and ranks second in size only to the Christ of Rio de Janeiro.