What we love about... relaxing in Italy

On the face of it, Italy is the perfect place for relaxation. It offers spectacular lake views, dramatically beautiful swimming pools, mountains and beaches, and a warm, sunny climate. So why is it sometimes difficult to relax there? The answer is that Italy is so brimming with wonderful things to do with your time, that sometimes it’s easy to forget to switch off. Lying by a pool, however beautiful, is hard when the wonders of the Uffizi in Florence are nearby; you might have second thoughts about being pampered in a spa, however magnificent, if you know that Rome’s delights are available to you. And it’s difficult to sunbathe when you know that some of the world’s most enticing designer fashion labels are just waiting to be purchased.

So that’s why when I want to truly relax, I go to Italy. Because when you switch off and chill out in Italy, you have made a conscious decision to do so; your mind is sated with the country’s culture, cuisine, history and fashion. The sheer abundance of choice is something that makes Italy truly different from its Mediterranean neighbours.

And so you decide that today’s the day for indulging in the spa, or basking in the sun. You take your place by the swimming pool; it could be at La Caruso, high on a mountaintop overlooking the Amalfi Coast; or the Villa San Michele in Tuscany, or hundreds of other locations.

You close your eyes and drift off under the sun; and when your eyes open, wherever you are in Italy, you are likely to be greeted by an uplifting view of verdant forests, mountainsides (more than 75 per cent of the country is covered by mountains), lakes, or the Mediterranean. So relaxing in Italy is also exhilarating, which is why I love relaxing there most of all.

3 Top Suites in Italy

1. Forte Village, Sardinia

Forte Village is a 55- acre lush oasis on Sardinia’s southern coast. Those looking for an exclusive suite with a view should check into one of the four Cala del Forte hideouts. The 400- square metre suites are accessed by a private entrance and have Jacuzzis, plasma screens and walk-in wardrobes. But the pièce de résistance awaits outside: panoramic views of the island’s beautiful, inviting coastline. View Forte Village holidays.

2. Palazzo Sasso, Ravello

High on the cliffs of Ravello, this majestic 12th-century villa is a beacon on the Amalfi Coast. Nestled in the manicured gardens, Suite Belvedere boasts Bang & Olufsen gadgets and a 40sqm terrace overlooking the glittering Med; the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of prosecco. View Palazzo Sasso holidays.

3. Hotel de Russie, Rome

One of Rome’s most unique bolt holes, Hotel de Russie’s sixth-floor Picasso Suite oozes Italian style. Aesthetes will appreciate the meld of classic and contemporary décor, which combines pastel fabrics with beautiful artworks, not to mention a luxe marble bathroom. A 25 sqm terrace affords magnificent views over Piazza del Popolo and the rooftops of Rome. View Hotel de Russie holidays.

3 Top Places to Chill Out in Italy

1. Join the jet set in Capri

Capri is a magnet for the world’s leisured elite; the summer months see the beautiful people flocking to the island for its easy lifestyle and beautiful shores. Lazy days are spenton the beach and in the many cafés, but for those with a little more energy, there’s the famous Blue Grotto – a natural cavern, so called for the brilliant blue water within. Caesar Augustus, perched high on a cliff, 300 metres above the sea, is the perfect base for your Capri experience. View Hotel Caesar Augustus holidays.

2. Go water bound in Sardinia

Porto Cervo is one of the hotspots on the yachting map: in the summer, the harbour is true superyacht heaven. Luxury craft aside, the resort bustles with vessels of all shapes and sizes. As anyone who has ever been to the Emerald Coast will testify, a boat is a must if you want to experience its hidden gems, local bays and the 50-plus islands of the La Maddalena archipelago, two kilometres from the mainland. Hotel Cervo, with a private beach and restaurant terrace overlooking the picture-perfect marina, is the ideal base from which to explore this slice of Sardinia. View Hotel Cervo holidays.

3. Take in the lakeside views of Como

Lake Como was made for blissing out; surrounded by rocky promontories over blue water, cobblestone villages, and exotic flora and fauna, all one wants to do is laze and gaze. Como is home to Bellagio, think pretty promenades and fin-de-siècle hotels. With lakeside views, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace is the perfect place to stay. View Grand Hotel Tremezzo Palace holidays.

• What we love about Italian cuisine
• What we love about Italian wine
• What we love about Italy family holidays
• What we love about Italian fashion
• Smart travel - green is the new black

Top 3 Spas in Italy