Daily Daydream: Maratea, Italy

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

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E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

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Nicknamed the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian, Maratea lives up to its name. One of the less-touristy coastal spots in Italy, this hilltop town is full of Italian character, amazing views, and beautiful beaches.

Amazing views can be found almost anywhere in this elevated town, but the best is from the giant Christ statue. Visitors can check out the scenery from the head of the statue (which looks fairly similar to Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer) for free. Religion is everywhere, and Maratea is also known as the “town with 44 churches.” Some of the chapels date back as far as the 15th century.

Secluded sandy beaches break up the rocky coastline, and many Italians flock here in the summer for vacations.

Where is it? Southern Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Coast. The closest international airport is in Naples (check prices).

Where to Stay? In a beautiful Art Nouveau Villa, the Hotel Maratea Villa Cheta, which overlooks the sea and is just minutes from the beach and center of town.

What Else Should I Know? A minibus ferries beach-goers around in the summer.

Who’s it For? Boaters, religious pilgrims, Italian-culture lovers.

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