Italy's little-known Basilicata region lays claim to two coastlines, one on the Tyrrhenian Sea and one on the Ionian. You can drive between the two directly in around two hours, but the area has a knack for making travellers pause, stop, detour and digress.

The road to Maratea on the Meditaterranean coast of Italy is a real rollercoaster ride, says Simon Heptinstall.