Everyone knows of the stunning Amalfi coast, the most breathtaking sea vistas in the Med, and of the historic charms of Naples, once Europe's largest city, with an artistic and architectural heritage to match, including Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Some people will also know of the gorgeous white towns and sandy beaches of Puglia - now accessible with Ryanair flights to Bari and Brindisi; of the jewels of southeastern Sicily, whose Baroque hilltowns offer are a 'new Tuscany' with sandy beaches and Greek temples; and of the crystal-clear seas of the volcanic Aeolian islands, a real 'escape' from the modern world.
But what few know is that some newly-opened boutique resorts now provide a seriously cool alternative to those famously overpriced and un-customer-orientated hotels which put the area on the map in the 60's - and which have barely changed since.
Popular travel website i-escape.com picks its top five stylish new hotels in southern Italy.
1.) La Minervetta, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
Sorrento is the grande dame of Amalfitan resorts, with a leisured elegance, fine seafood and excellent hydrofoil/train connections to Capri, Naples Amalfi and Pompeii. This 12-room hotel has been completely redesigned by an Italian architect couple to offer huge windowfuls of sea view across the bay of Naples to the still-smoking cone of Vesuvius. There's also a new plunge pool overhanging the marina grande.
Tel: 39 0818774455, www.laminervetta.com, Dbl: €200-350, BB
2.) Villa Cervarolo, nr Ostuni, Puglia
Of all the converted 'trulli' houses, this 3-bedroom villa is the most stylish, the most lavish and the newest - it opened in June 2006. Based around 4 trullis (stone 'igloos' unique to Puglia), with a stylishly contrasting modern wing, it boasts a cosy arched sitting room, a superbly appointed kitchen, an outside BBQ, and (a first for Puglia) a funky beach-edge pool. Cool décor and an ‘inside-outside’ layout make it perfect for hot summers.
Villa: £1625-3380/wk
3.) Talia, Modica, Sicily
Modica is the most stunning of Sicily's Baroque hilltowns, climbing the side of a gorge to its 'citta alta'. And the best views are from the secret gardens of these lovingly-restored cottages, hidden within the old town. Inside are traditional painted-iron beds with new orthopaedic mattresses, and Grohe plumbing in brightly tiled bathrooms - all courtesy (once again) of an Italian architect couple, who serve the freshest of breakfasts under the fig tree.
Dbl €120-150 B&B
4.) Capofaro, Salina, Aeolian islands
A unique concept: boutique resort working vineyard old lighthouse. Spread across 7 hectares of Malvasia vineyards, its white-cube buildings offer sparkling sea views and pared-down perfection: a few objets d'art in whitewashed niches, aloe vera toiletries in black-tiled bathrooms. There's a decked pool draped in purple flowers, and a dining terrace where couples bliss out to fusion cuisine and chilled music.
Dbl: €200-450 B&B
5.) Caol Ishka, Siracusa, Sicily
Ancient Syracuse is is the last place you'd expect to find a cutting-edge designer hotel. But these coolly converted barns showcase the latest furniture and lighting from Starcke, Groppi et al. There's a restaurant serving immaculate nouveau-Sicilian fare and a raised pool overlooking the river Anapo. Boat transfers into historic Ortigia compensate for its out-of-town location. A brave step, and one which deserves to succeed.
Dbl: €190-250, BB
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