Italy oozes romance like few other destinations can: after all, this is where the world’s best-known love story, Romeo and Juliet, was set. From exploring the cultural vibrancy of Rome through sipping wine straight from the vineyards of rural Tuscany down to sun-bathing on the sultry coast of Sicily, these are the most passion-inducing places in Italy to celebrate your new marriage.
Overview
Planning a romantic getaway? Then there’s no better place to start than in Rome, the vibrant, pulsating heart of Italy. Imagine yourselves walking in the very footsteps of phenomenal artists, gazing in awe at Michelangelo’s astonishing painting that adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Feel the cinematic history come alive as you recall Anita Ekberg’s iconic emergence from the glistening waters of the Trevi Fountain in the timeless classic, *La Dolce Vita*. This is a city that throbs with life, a capital where culture reigns supreme, where cafes spill onto sun-drenched pavements, and where the nights come alive with the rhythms of music in the city’s many clubs. However, Rome’s fast-paced and energetic atmosphere might not be the ideal choice for those seeking a more tranquil, intimate escape.
Perhaps your hearts yearn for a different kind of enchantment, one found in the ethereal, floating city of Venice. Picture yourselves gliding along the serene Grand Canal in a traditional gondola, the gentle lapping of water against the ancient stones your only soundtrack. Envision a leisurely stroll around Piazza San Marco, one of the most breathtaking and majestic squares in all of Europe, a place where history and romance intertwine seamlessly. Or, perhaps, a journey straight to the very heart of the world’s most celebrated love story beckons – to Verona, the city that served as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet. For those seeking serene landscapes, you might be drawn northwards, towards the luxurious and breathtaking shores of lovely Lake Como, a sparkling gem nestled amidst the majestic embrace of the Alps.
Florence, with its unparalleled artistic heritage, could very well be the destination that ignites your passion. The city boasts one of Italy’s most mesmerising and comprehensive art collections, housed within the renowned Uffizi Museum. Here, you’ll find masterpieces like Boticelli’s iconic *Birth of Venus*, a celebration of beauty and love. Furthermore, Florence is the capital of Tuscany, arguably Italy’s most naturally beautiful region. This is a land of rolling, vineyard-clad hills, of enchanting, dreamy hill towns perched atop sun-kissed slopes, and of landscapes that seem to have been plucked straight from a Renaissance painting. A visit to Tuscany is a feast for the senses, a true immersion into the heart of Italian beauty.
And finally, cast your gaze southward, and remember the allure of Sicily. This island possesses some of the most inviting and picturesque beaches in Italy, stretches of golden sand lapped by crystal-clear waters. Sicily also offers a unique blend of Arabic-influenced architecture and cuisine, a testament to its rich and diverse history. All of this unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Etna, an iconic volcano that adds an element of raw, untamed beauty to this captivating island. A trip to Sicily is a journey through time, a sensory experience that will leave you spellbound.
| Destination | Reasons to go |
| Rome | Immerse yourselves in its rich culture, indulge in authentic Italian cuisine, experience the vibrant nightlife, and enjoy a romantic cruise along the Tiber river. |
| Venice | Glide through the canals on romantic gondola rides, explore the enchanting Venetian Lagoon on unforgettable boat trips. Discover hidden corners and iconic landmarks. |
| Verona | Step into the setting of Romeo and Juliet, wander through historic squares filled with charm, and savour the region’s exquisite wines. Create your own love story. |
| Lake Como | Surround yourselves with breathtaking lakeside settings, majestic mountains, and unparalleled luxury. Enjoy romantic moments amidst stunning natural beauty. |
| Florence | Marvel at Renaissance art and architecture, and visit the iconic Cathedral. Witness the genius of masters and immerse yourselves in history. |
| Tuscany | Explore world-renowned wineries, discover charming hill towns steeped in history, and relax along the picturesque coast. Discover the heart of Italian charm. |
| Sicily | Admire Palermo’s unique architecture, witness the majesty of Mount Etna, and explore the stunning Aeolian Islands coastline. Discover the magic of this island. |
Planning
The crucial thing to bear in mind when planning a trip to Italy is that its popularity is well-deserved. Every destination of significance brims with exceptional restaurants, inviting bars, and a wealth of historic buildings that inspire awe. In Rome alone, you could easily dedicate several weeks to sightseeing, immersing yourselves in its rich history and vibrant culture. Similarly, Venice, Lake Como, Florence, Tuscany, and Sicily each offer enough to occupy you for many memorable days. Therefore, resist the temptation to cram too many destinations into your romantic itinerary. The true joy lies in leisurely strolling through charming streets, savouring the exquisite local wines, and simply enjoying each other’s company, rather than rushing from one place to another.
Florence and Tuscany can be seamlessly combined into a delightful few days’ trip, allowing you to experience the best of both worlds. Likewise, Venice and Verona offer a similar opportunity for a combined exploration. Alternatively, consider focusing on a single destination for a more immersive and relaxing honeymoon break of around five days, allowing you to truly soak in the atmosphere and create lasting memories. For those with more time, a ten-day trip allows you to incorporate multiple destinations into your itinerary, creating a broader and more diverse experience. Honeymoon trip options abound, each offering a unique flavour of Italy:
- A 5-day exploration of Rome and its must-see sights, allowing you to delve into the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
- A 10-day tour of Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and Rome, offering a diverse and captivating experience of Italy’s most iconic destinations.
- A 6-day exploration of the villages of Lake Como, allowing you to immerse yourselves in the stunning natural beauty and serene atmosphere of this Alpine paradise.
- A 14-day itinerary to Florence and Tuscany, including visits to Siena, Pisa and Lucca. This provides ample time to explore the region’s rolling hills, charming towns, and world-renowned art.
- A 14-day road trip around the Sicilian coast, offering a unique and adventurous journey through this captivating island, with its stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture.
Whet your appetite with cuisine and culture in Rome
Begin your Roman adventure in the ‘Eternal City’ by indulging in the essence of Italian culture: food. The best way to get a taste of Rome is to explore local foodie hotspots such as the Campagna Amica Market, only open on weekends. Here, you can leisurely browse some of Italy’s finest gastronomical outputs. Enjoy a cup of coffee in cafes like Sciascia Caffè 1919, or have some gelato at Fassi Gelateria. Another option is to dine at La Pergola, a roof-top restaurant with unforgettable panoramic views.
Don’t forget to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, a tradition which helps the coin-tossers find love, supposedly. Or take a wander around one of the largest public gardens in Europe, Villa Borghese. A walk around this place is perfect for a honeymoon.
Take in the culture of Rome. At the Vatican Museum you will find the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. The National Gallery of Modern Art houses works by Monet and Cezanne. Galleria Borghese displays artwork from the 15th to 18th centuries.
Finish the day by taking a sunset cruise on the Tiber River, sping main bridges such as Regina Margherita Bridge, Saint’Angel Bridge, Mazzini Bridge, Sisto Bridge and the Garibaldi Bridge.
Take to the waters or take after Cassanova in Venice
To have the full experience, you will need to get out on the water. Get a gondola ride with your partner, or take a boat ride across the Venetian Lagoon to Burano, with its eye-catching houses and famous lace work.
Venice has a legacy of love engrained on the cityscape – that of Cassanova himself. At Cantina Do Spade, you can enjoy a glass of wine. This bar is 600 years old, and Cassanova often dined with his lovers here. He also arranged his ardent meetings at the Rialto Bridge.
No trip to Venice is complete without a visit to Piazza San Marco, one of the most impressive public squares in Europe. Finally, the most passionate conclusion to any day honeymooning in Venice is with a show at Teatro La Fenice. Verdi and Rossini have had performances here.
Live a famous love story in Verona
Verona should be on any list of honeymoon hotspots. It was here that Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet! The main sight is Casa di Giulietta, supposedly where Juliet had her famous balcony. You can stand in yearning for your other half on the balcony and admire Juliet’s Wall, where previous lovers have left letters.
The city has captivating squares (piazzas) where the romance is more likely to flow than at Casa di Giulietta. First up is Piazza delle Erbe with its statue of the Madonna Verona, and then there is Piazza del Signori, where Dante once resided. Verona is at the forefront of Italy’s wine industry, so this is the perfect place to savour a bottle of something special at a venue like San Nicoló Wine Bar.
Indulge in lakeside luxury at Lake Como
The blue waters of Lake Como, hemmed in by mountains and flanked by towns, villages and villas makes it attractive to couples in the mood for love. The main town, Como, is centered around the Basilica di San Fedele and the Cathedral of Como. Meanwhile, a walk from the main square delivers you to Villa Olmo, ensconced in delightful grounds. Make the evening excursion up the Brunate funicular to catch a birds-eye view of Como at sunset: the perfect way to end a day with your loved one.
You can seek romance further on around the lake shores, too: in the grand villas adorning Bellagio, with a flower-festooned lakeside promenade in Menaggio or perhaps with a gentle boat ride along the lake in the Lucia, a chestnut wood fishing boat.
Be uplifted by Renaissance culture in Florence
Welcome to the cradle of the Renaissance, a place with buildings and museums that will take the breath of you and your partner away. Wander hand-in-hand through the cobbled streets, soaking up the atmosphere of this enchanting city.
The Uffizi hosts the astonishing artwork of *The Birth of Venus* by Botticelli, depicting the arrival of the goddess of love and beauty, Venus. Despite its popularity, the Uffizi has to be on a honeymooners’ sojourn in Florence. Book a visit to Galleria Luigi Bellini, a reservation-only art gallery operated by a long line of antique dealers. Among the treasures inside are frescos by the Giotto school, a bust attributed to Donatello, a Madonna by Florentine Renaissance sculptor Luca della Robbia and a portrait of Venetian master Tintoretto.
Spending time in Piazza del Duomo should ensure your honeymoon has beautiful memories. The impressive space is flanked by the marble-clad Duomo (cathedral), its celebrated dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century. The steep climb to the top of the Campanile is another honeymoon highlight: looking out at the splendid view across the city to the distant mountains together is a moment you will remember forever.
And to cool off after all that culture, nothing beats a romantic swim together in Parco delle Cascine along the northern bank of the River Arno: here you will find a fabulous open-air swimming pool (dubbed “Le Pavoniere”) as well as a poolside bar, restaurant and pizzeria.
Enjoy fine wine and seafood in scenic Tuscany
A Tuscany honeymoon, what with the region’s expansive, green undulating landscapes, are a breath of fresh air after city-based trips, and Tuscany’s size means escaping the crowds to find space, time and tranquility just for the two of you is especially easy. Take a leisurely drive through the countryside, stopping at charming villages and scenic viewpoints along the way.
This area is extremely well regarded for its wine, with both the Chianti wine region and the Unesco-listed Val D’Orcia wine region offering some of Italy’s best and most attractive vineyard tours and wine tastings. One of the best ways to enjoy Tuscany’s vineyards at leisure is on the Wine and Olive Oil Route, a 93-mile ramble along the Etruscan coast, from Livorno to Piombino, taking in vineyards, pine-backed beaches, olive groves and terracotta-roofed towns. Along the way you will stumble upon family-run cantine (wine cellars), many open to the public for tastings of full-bodied red and zesty white wines. A similarly wine and olive -themed route runs between Florence and Siena through the Chianti wine region. You could cycle parts of either of these, much along little-trafficked country lanes with ample opportunity for romantic stops along the way.
Another way to make your Tuscan honeymoon memorable is to make your way to one of the centuries-old hill towns, such as the striking Città del Tufo, a trio of villages (Pitigliano, Sovana, and Sorano) rising abruptly out of crags of volcanic tufa rock, and full of cobbled alleyways and arched lanes tailor-made for lovers to lose themselves within. These towns offer stunning views, charming cafes, and a glimpse into Tuscany’s rich history.
Tuscany has divine coast, too. Consider a stay in Monte Argentario region, a stretch of seaboard topped and tailed by sophisticated harbor towns Porto San Stefano in the north and Porto Ercole in the south. Either would be the perfect place to take time out together to savour some sensational local seafood or delicious cocktails in refined surroundings. Stroll along the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the refreshing sea breeze.
Let passions erupt visiting volcanos and movie love scenes in Sicily
Where to begin with your travels around Sicily, where the pace of life is slower and the temperature hotter than anywhere else in the country? Big city Palermo, of course, with a stroll down the narrow cobbled streets to architectural highlights such as Unesco-listed Monreale Cathedral, standing out for its arresting Arabic influences and dazzling cloisters. Immerse yourselves in the city’s vibrant atmosphere, and soak up the unique blend of cultures that defines Palermo. Fill out the day by experiencing one of Italy’s best streetfood scenes, again with a vibrant Arabic bent, or catching a performance at Italy’s biggest opera house, Teatro Massimo. The city also boasts a wealth of historical sites, museums, and art galleries.
Venturing out around the island, the hottest stop for newlyweds is imposing Mount Etna, Europe’s biggest active volcano: hike to its summit or go wine-tasting in its foothills. This is a truly unforgettable experience, offering stunning views and a chance to witness the raw power of nature. On the west coast, do not miss medieval town Erice, with its castle where Venus, Roman goddess of love, purportedly once lived. Explore the winding streets and discover the town’s ancient history. Sicily is renowned for its Mafia connections, so stop by the quirky eastern hilltop village of Savoca, the movie location in *The Godfather Part I* where Michael Corleone gets smitten with, immediately proposes to and marries the beautiful Apollonia. And ensure that you escape for a few days to the Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s north coast. See Panarea, a playground for the very rich and their luxury yachts, or Vulcano, where you can indulge in a 82.4°F/28°C mud bath together, then wash it all off in the ocean afterwards: steamy indeed! Enjoy the stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unique volcanic landscapes that these islands have to offer.
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