Abi d’Oru Beach Hotel

After falling for the ruins of this dramatically perched 17th century convent while boating in Salerno Bay, the American owner of the Monastero Santa Rosa spent the next decade painstakingly renovated and restoring the building, creating the stunning and secluded boutique hotel it is today.

With only 20 rooms and suites, but plenty of outdoor living areas and private spaces dotted around the estate, this unique property is dedicated to total relaxation, as you can take your pick from the various secluded sun terraces perched on the hillside. Make your way down the lush tiered gardens to reach a truly breathtaking infinity pool where you can soak up the sweeping, panoramic views across the Amalfi Coast.

The sisters’ former winery is now the setting for a vast sanctuary of a spa – an impressive selection of some 400 wines now stored in the cellar of Ristorante Il Refettorio, where guests can expect an innovative Mediterranean gastronomic experience with the freshest ingredients from the gardens and surrounding Campania region.

The convent sits in the quaint fishing village of Conca dei Marini, just a 20-minute car or boat ride from the most scenic towns along this glamorous coastline – notably Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. An array of excursions can be organised, from walking trails and cultural tours, to diving and windsurfing.

The Cristallo has been welcoming guests to Cortina d’Ampezzo for over a century. The town has many claims to fame having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and provided the backdrop for the films The Pink Panther, For Your Eyes Only and Cliffhanger.

Situated on the Boite River in an alpine valley, Cortina has long been a popular skiing destination but it’s also an ideal base for hikers and those wanted to enjoy spectacular mountain scenery. Rooms are elegant and sophisticated with rich fabrics, hand decorated wall panels and parquet flooring. Most come with views of the surrounding parkland or of the mountains themselves.

With four restaurants to choose from, there’s ample opportunity to sample cuisine from the local region and further afield. The circular Gazebo restaurant is surrounded by glass so you can watch the sky and the peaks change colour as the evening draws in. Make sure you spend an evening at La Stube 1872 restaurant, a celebration of traditional with its wooden walls and majolica stove and ingredients sourced from small local farms.

For real relaxation, check into the spa or while away the hours on the terrace, covered in flowers during the summer and transformed into an ice rink in the winter.