Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is postcard-pretty Italy, rimmed by the "road of 1,000 bends" that hugs the top of steep cliffs that plunge into the bright blue waters of the Med, connecting small villages via a landscape of olive groves and lemon trees. But come summertime, unfortunately, the crowds can clog that tiny two-lane road; spring is a much smarter option. Even better, it’s also when the flowers, whose heady scent is so synonymous with this Italian hideaway, burst into bloom: Jasmine and orange decorate the balconies and the trellises bolted to the cliffs. As a base for exploring, substitute quieter, less glitzy Praiano for the better known Positano. Walk the Path of the Gods from here, an historic hiking route that offers superb views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Overnight at minimalist hotel Casa Angelina, ideally in one of the Eaudesea suites. Housed in an erstwhile fisherman’s cottage for the ultimate privacy, those suites are reachable only via glass elevator from the hotel.