Honeymoons in Italy from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

It’s no mere coincidence that Italy’s pace-setting capital, Roma, is “amor” spelled backwards: Italy has always been synonymous with thoughts of love, sex, and romance. After all, among the heavenly pantheon of the ancient Romans were Venus, the Goddess of Love, and her son Cupid, the God of Love.

A honeymoon in this land of immense contrasts could encompass just about anything you wanted, from peaceful lakeside towns, to vibrant cities, to Renaissance villages. You could explore the historic sites of an ancient city in the morning, check out its cutting-edge couturiers in the afternoon, and dine on classic masterpieces with a modern twist at night. Get deliciously lost wandering the canals of Venice. Bend your head backward to study the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Sip lemonade on a hot day while pondering the beauty of a Florentine bridge. Giggle over the erotic wall paintings of Vesuvius. You’ll eat mouth-watering cuisine, take in a wide range of stunning scenery, browse awesome museums, and…well, it’s really up to you. It's easy to visit World Heritage Sites here, since Italy contains dozens of WH sites.

Don’t try to see all of Italy in one trip (unless you have months to wander). If one or both of you haven’t been here before, spend a few days in Rome and then, depending on the length of your trip, choose one or two regions to get on friendly terms with. If you’re repeat visitors, you’ve probably got the itinerary already worked out.

A Regional Overview of Italy

Rome: World capital and birthplace of Italy, Rome is a big exciting city that manages to balance its ancient past with a fast-paced present. There are all the monuments, of course: the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Catacombs, and so on. Amazing museums and galleries (the Borghese, the Museum of Rome, the National Gallery of Ancient art, and the Vatican museums are just a few). The regal, sculpture-laden piazzas are wonderful places in which to lounge over a café meal, watching the world do its thing. You must sit on the Spanish Steps, just to say you did (and besides, it’s fun). Visit medieval Trastevere, with its romantic byways; hit the outdoor markets for picnic fixings.

Tuscany: Stretching from the Mediterranean to the mountains north of Rome, Tuscany is considered by many to be the most beautiful region in all of Italy—and that’s really saying something. Explore the area’s ancient and incredibly beautiful villages: Siena, for example, whose historic center is a World Heritage Site (the Palio di Siena, a colorful and costumed horse race held each July 2 and August 16 around Siena’s Piazza del Campo, dates back to medieval days). Or Pisa, with its famed leaning belltower, a Medici Palace, Knight's Square designed by Giorgio Vasari, and much more. Wine and agricultural touring through the gorgeous countryside, perhaps staying at an old villa, will be a highlight (the Chianti region is in Tuscany).

Florence: The cultural capital of Tuscany, Firenze is a complete destination in itself; it would take weeks just to explore the dozens of palaces, museums, gardens, and galleries in this well-preserved Renaissance city. Some of the world’s most important artworks live here, including Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus. The city’s stately piazzas on the Arno River are architectural masterpieces made from stone and terracotta. Aside from art and architecture, Florence offers great restaurants and terrific shopping. Be sure to travel uphill a short distance to Fiesole. Founded in the 8th Century BC by the Etruscans and later expanded by the Romans, it affords wonderful panoramic views of Florence and the valley below.

The Lakes District: From Julius Caesar onward, the wealthy and powerful have been drawn to this incredibly beautiful area of Lombardy...that's why so many old Roman villas, lustrous Papal mansions, and impressive European palaces overlook these glacier-derived lakes nestled in the Italian Alps. A perfect place for a honeymoon, the area offers fabulous outdoor adventure (depending on the time of the year, everything from downhill skiing to kite-surfing); cultural activities (opera, theater, music); world-class spas; and a lot else. The fabulous city of Milan is renowned for couture and boutiques, and it's also home to the incomparable opera house, Teatro alla Scala.

Italian Riviera: The Mediterranean coast never ceases to delight and amaze. You’ll encounter tiny bays, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and old fishing ports. Life is simple here, and oh! So much fun. Relax, eat, go to the beach, do a bit of shopping, take a mid-day snooze. Be sure to visit Cinque Terre, a group of five fishing villages poised on bluffs above the sea. With their charming village squares, stunning views, and pretty beaches, you won’t want to leave. Portofino, with its bright-painted buildings and racy nightlife, is a popular destination. In Genoa, take in the amazing Palace of the Doges and the house where, it's believed, Christopher Columbus was born.

Umbria: A spell falls over travelers to this timeless region of hills and river valleys, terraced olive groves and vineyards, thick forests, castles, fortresses with watchtowers, and churches—lots of churches. As lovely as this area is, tourists don’t tend to come here, which increases the feeling you’ll have of being somewhere very special. Base yourselves in a hill town, taking wine- and olive-oil tasting daytrips. Or venture into the ancient cities (Perugia, Spoleto, Assisi, Trevi, Orvieto) to view the rich heritage of art and architecture. »»Umbria Jazz Festival

Venice. This amazing city stretches across more than 100 tiny islands in the saltwater Venetian Lagoon, situated along Italy’s Adriatic Sea. The city is a twisting maze of canals and bridges and a great place to walk. Or just hop on one of the speedy vaporettis (like a public bus, except it’s a boat) or hire a gondola (they’re expensive, but you have to try it at least once—it’s your honeymoon!). You’ll love the elaborate architecture of palaces and mansions perched on the Grand Canal (many are open for public tours), the friendly nature of Venetians, the mysterious nooks and crannies you’ll discover as you walk around. Visit the Lido, a nearby 11-mile sandbar, where you can relax on public beaches or wander the wide central street filled with shops and restaurants.

The Amalfi Coast: This is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful stretches of land and sea. South of Naples, on the coastal road between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, one turn of the winding road brings you to a romantic little port town; another turn serves up a stunning view of cliffs jutting into the Mediterranean; and another might bring a hollow grotto, or a strange-yet-compelling rock formation, or a white village spilling down a hillside. If you find yourself hoping, as you drive along, that this magical area remains that way—well, you’re in good company: the United Nations has made the entire Amalfi Coast a World Heritage Site. Off the coast is legendary Capri, an island getaway of Moorish buildings, grottoes, stylish residents, and narrow cobbled streets. Or try volcanic Ischia, an island close to Naples; it's filled with thermal spas. Parts of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), with Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow, were filmed here.

Sicily: The largest of all Mediterranean islands, Sicily has a particularly rich cultural heritage. Thanks to its strategic location on the ancient trade routes, the island's art, cuisine, architecture, and language have been influenced over the centuries by just about every marauding or commercial power since the Phoenicians. Everywhere you go you’ll encounter splendid ruins, beautiful cathedrals, and artwork ranging across the millennia—all set into a backdrop of lofty mountains (including Mt. Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes), lush landscapes, and that inimitable wine-dark sea. On the edge of a plain filled with orange and lemon trees is Palermo; the island’s largest city, it’s crammed with museums, restaurants, and fabulous ancient buildings. At Syracuse and Agrigento are many of Sicily’s most important ruins, like open-air museums of the ancient past. And if you're into food, you're in for a treat: the nickname for Sicily's cuisine is "God's Kitchen," and Dionysus himself is said to have introduced the island's wine.

For more information: contact the official Italian Tourism website

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All written material ©WGH ~ Photos: With thanks to Bernini Massimo (Lakes District), antmoose (Umbria), Stan Shebs (Italian Riviera), karlakp (Venice), and the Italian Government Tourism Board (all others)