Few coastlines make quite such an entrance. On the Amalfi Coast, towns cling to steep cliffs above the Mediterranean, with lemon terraces, gardens and old footpaths filling the spaces between. Walk high above the sea, swim beneath the cliffs or take to the water with Positano and Amalfi rising almost vertically behind you.

On Capri, the mood turns glamorous. Boats slip beneath great limestone walls and into sea caves, while paths climb through fragrant gardens where long lunches stretch out under citrus trees. Ischia brings another dimension. Its volcanic geology has created natural hot springs and thermal pools, some warm enough for winter bathing, others hot enough to poach an egg. People have been taking the warm waters here since Greek and Roman times.

That thermal tradition lives on in some of the country’s finest spas, while elegant cliffside hotels, garden retreats and thermal stays make the most of these extraordinary settings. Days unfold between swimming, sailing, walking coastal paths and eating food grown close to the sea. Bathe in mineral-rich hot springs, breathe in the sea air and let the coast do the rest.