If the Amalfi Coast were a magazine, Positano would be its high-gloss cover. The swish cliffside village where houses literally spill down to the sea offers photo opps at every turn. Its steep streets are fringed by restaurants, swanky boutiques and bustling hotels as locals and tourists alike navigate this historic town. Just try not to get swept up in the amore as you cradle your slice of pizza in one hand and an Aperol Spritz in the other, watching the sun disappear into the water.

Ernest Hemingway once said Taormina is “so pretty it hurts to look”. With volcanic Mount Etna as its majestic neighbour and unbroken views over the Ionian Sea, there’s no shortage of eye candy at this Sicilian hotspot. Enjoy an Aperol Spritz near its third-century amphitheatre or grab a gelato and stroll its tangled streets, some of which drop dramatically down to sandy beaches where people watching is a local sport. Taormina might be Sicily’s stunning resort capital, but it has a lot more going for it than ritzy five-star digs – of which there are plenty, should you be interested.

This fishing village on the Italian Rivera’s coastline is flanked by sun-bleached pastels, seafood restaurants and superyachts. It’s famously dripping in high rollers and celebrities – if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one in the piazetta, the cobbled town square where an Aperol Spritz during aperitivo hour overlooking the harbour is mandatory. You can either lap up the rockstar treatment and check into one of the town’s flash resorts or day-trip it here from nearby Genoa.

Rocky cliffs, dreamy beaches and electric-blue grottos (the legendary Grotta Azzurra is a must-visit) make the Isle of Capri an enchanting place to while away those summer days. Stroll Villa San Michele, a treasure trove of art set among lush gardens with the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea as its backdrop. Or grab a sunset swim on one of the island’s many beaches – the eye-hurtingly stunning Bagni di Tiberio was apparently Emperor Augustus’ pick of the bunch. But there are also plenty of secret inlets to explore for a more secluded watering hole to enjoy an afternoon swim, like the Piscina di Venere (translation: Venus’ swimming pool), followed by an Aperol Spritz in one of the many restaurants and bars.

If you’re looking for white sand beaches and dreamy emerald waters, then head for Sardinia. Featuring 2000km of rugged coastline, granite cliffs and medieval towns, this large Italian island is also home to some of the most idyllic beaches in the Mediterranean, if not Europe. Sun-worshippers flock to the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), which is dotted with glamorous resorts and flash yachts. Between the secluded Golfo di Orosei’s coves and Costa del Sud’s sparkling bays, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot to take in the view with an Aperol Spritz or two.

Whether it’s an evening in a bustling piazza or a sunset in a secluded bay, Italy offers ample opportunities for sun-chasers. No visit to the country is complete without immersing yourself in its cultural rituals, of which aperitivo is king. So, make like the Italians and celebrate the good life this Aussie winter. For more information on Aperol, head to www.aperolspritz.com.au. DRINK RESPONSIBLY