Italy honeymoon ideas

Home of Romeo and Juliet, singing gondoliers and Roman-era Saint Valentine himself, heart-achingly beautiful Italy is a classic honeymoon destination in all senses of the word. It’s one of the most romantic places in Europe, in part thanks to a legacy of art and film; it’s also got some of Europe’s most scenic countryside and stunning cities – think Como and Amalfi, Florence and Venice. In fact, Italian living is all about the beautiful, from cutting-edge design and fresh Milan fashion to the ritual of dressing up for a spell of people watching as you perform your evening passeggiata . Yes, Italy looks good, but it feels good too: with excellent weather and food to complements your good company.

For honeymooners, then, Italy is a bit of a no brainer – and it’s not just the romance of it all. After the stress of planning a wedding, Italy is a remarkably easy destination. It’s great for getting about by train, and small enough for a romantic honeymoon tour between top destinations, without long transits. For LGBTQ+ newlyweds, Italy is broadly accepting, though the countryside is more conservative, and LGBTQ+ rights in Italy are not on a par with other, more progressive European countries – same sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples is still illegal.

You’re always spoilt for choice when it comes to wonderful places to stay and eat, scenic cities and pretty towns. Add in that Med lifestyle and diet, or a bit of mountain air and exercise, and in mere days you’ll be feeling restored after the rush of your nuptials.

Because it is such a likeable destination for so many, Italy has newlyweds flocking to its streets. Venice is increasingly overcrowded, and there are saturated spots on the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. Let our Italy honeymoons offer up some ideas for how to carve out a corner for yourself away from the crowds.

Think romantic journeys and you might think of catching the Orient Express to Venice, or going by good old-fashioned gondola, yet Italy has plenty of other routes to follow as you embark on married life together. Going by bike is a great way to enjoy an Italy that’s lesser seen. What about going swimming pool to swimming pool on a cycling tour in Piedmont, taking advantage of undulating countryside, quiet country roads, and boutique hotels. Alternatively, taking trains between cities is a romantic and easy way to travel, and means you can see ‘detour destinations’ between big-hitter cities: like popping in on stately Ferrara on the way to Venice. You can even get to the start of your trip by train – we can arrange this for you.

Italy is the original home of the agriturismo, a movement started in the 1980s to bring tourism to rural areas. It means you can stay on farms – usually in charmingly rustic accommodation surrounded by pretty countryside – and enjoy dinners made right on the doorstep. Looking for something more urban? Italian towns and cities have well-preserved skylines, many without a skyscraper in sight, and it means that there’s a glut of historic places to stay, including restored family villas and grand country houses.

Our honeymoons come from the heart – the green heart, that is – spending plenty of time in lesser visited areas like Umbria, known as the green heart of Italy for its rolling hills of agricultural land. Then there are regions like food-forward Piedmont in the far north-west of the country, enclosed on three sides by mountains and known for its cuisine and wine. It’s the second-largest region in Italy, but its largest city, Turin, is still relatively small. If you want to visit busier destinations like Cinque Terre, consider staying overnight, so you can enjoy their relaxed evenings after the day visitors have gone.

Whilst Italy is a feast for the eyes, the best way to make memories is to make something – plus, by visiting small artisans and workshops instead of just big tourist sights, you can go off the beaten track a bit. Try cooking classes in an agriturismo, sampling just-pressed olive oil, or comparing tasting notes at a family-run winery. Alternatively, what about outdoor opera? There are regular performances of Puccini operas, held in the piazza of the Tuscan town of Lucca. The couple that truffle-hunts together, stays together.