Italy has long been ranked one of the top 1o honeymoon destination win the world and with good reason.  Italy is for lovers!

Positano

Italy has always been a dream destination for romantic honeymoon getaways. It is easily accessible by frequent flights from cities across the U.S., and once there, it is impossible not to be touched by the sense of La Dolce Vita that is a hallmark of the Italian way of life.

Inspired by such films as Katherine Hepburn’s “Summertime” in the 1950’s and Frances Maye’s more recent, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, couples long to experience the romance of languid strolls through medieval hill towns, gondola rides at sunset along magical Venetian canals, and stolen kisses on evening walks passed illuminated Roman ruins.

Italy speaks to the hearts of lovers. Whether young or old, the honeymoon couple will fall in love all over again, and carry with them memories to last a lifetime.

 When is the best time to go to Italy?

Italy is a wonderful honeymoon destination throughout the entire year since each season offers a unique array of cultural events, culinary delights, and local festivals. Whether it is in a boutique hotel, medieval castle, or seaside villa, the honeymoon couple has endless choices of accommodations, and the possibilities are intoxicating.

Since summers can be rather hot in Italy, honeymoon couples can embrace the experience, or plan to relax in cooler regions, such as on the island of Ischia, or in a charming village along the Amalfi Coast where sea breezes cool and refresh, and where the views are magnificent.

How long do we need for a honeymoon in Italy?

Vatican

Some believe that the perfect length of time to stay in Italy is 8 to 10 days in the Big Three ~ Venice, Florence and Rome. They are centers of culture, cuisine, fashion, and antiquity. Located in different regions of the country, they offer a variety of experiences and adventures that are as unique to the regions as they are to the country.

Many of My Vacation Lady’s honeymooners will opt to stay longer and many want to top off their honeymoon with a visit to the Amalfi Coast- particularly if their honeymoon is during the summer months.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question.  It all depends on what you want to experience.  My Vacation Lady has helped honeymooners plan their Italian  honeymoons ranging from 8-21 days.

What type of unique resorts or accommodations makes your destination so great for honeymooners?

Italy offers a wide range of accommodations and resorts that will make for an unforgettable  honeymoon.  Luxury hotels, seaside villas, restored palaces and small boutique hotels provided the accommodations for our couples and will be selected to fit their budgets perfectly.

How much should we anticipate spending on our Italian Honeymoon?

This is never an easy question to answer because My Vacation Lady will customize your honeymoon to fit into your budget but please remember that airfare from the U.S. in high season (May-October) can run over $1000 per person.  If you figure a 10 night honeymoon in high season, an average honeymoon can run in the $8,000-15,000 range.  It will be lower in the off season.

 

What would be YOUR idea of a perfect honeymoon itinerary in your destination for a combination of romance and a bit of excursions/activities/sightseeing?

We asked Theresa Doyle of Andiamo, an Italian travel specialist to describe her perfect Italian honeymoon itinerary and this was her response.

Grand Canal in Venice

Eight days in Italy would allow honeymooners to relax and wind down from the frenzy of wedding planning. For first time travelers to Italy, a sampling of three distinct regions offers the couple a real sense of timeless Italian culture. Starting in Venice, poised on the edge of the Adriatic, honeymooners will experience the magic of their lagoon view accommodations, along with the romance of gondola serenades and canal-side dining. Wandering the tiny shopping streets, our honeymoon couple can opt for dinner or a leisurely glass of wine while listening to music playing as the sun sets over San Marco Square.

A quick Eurostar train ride will bring the honeymooners to Florence. Nestled in the Tuscan hills and divided by the Arno River, this small city is a walkable feast! From the cypress-lined Boboli Gardens, to the treasures of the Uffizi and Accademia galleries, Florence offers the couple the intimacy of a friendly village along with the majesty of artistic Renaissance treasures.

Ninety minutes south, the final stop is Rome, a bustling, crowded city with high end shops and restaurants. It is home to the romantic Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain districts, along with such antiquities as the Forum and the Colosseum. Honeymooners can dine al fresco in the Piazza della Rotonda as the Pantheon is bathed in golden spotlights, and local opera students perform for their enjoyment (and a few kindly offered Euros). After strolling to the nearby baroque Piazza Navona for dessert at Tre Scalini where Tartufo was created, the couple can join an evening passeggiata, and wander toward the Tiber River to view the magnificence of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican. Dodging Vespa riding Romans, the honeymooners will delight in the visual beauty of Rome, and embracing warmth of its people.

More time for a honeymoon? Andiamo will arrange wonderful day trips or longer stays for our couple in other areas of this great country. A few days in Lake Como (perhaps a glimpse of George Clooney?), Cinque Terre, Bologna, Naples, Capri, Sicily, Sardinia or any of the twenty regions that comprise Italy? Trace family roots and meet relatives that are enchanted by the thought of having American relatives visit. Perhaps the honeymooners will just relax poolside, and dream of the day when they will return to Bella Italia to explore the land more fully.

If there was 1 tip that you can give a honeymoon couple about why they should choose Italy,  what would it be?

Italy is a land of rich history, exquisite cuisine, high fashion, luxury accommodations, and an Old World flavor that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. It is made for lovers, and it embraces them in its golden sunlight and fertile countryside.

My Vacation Lady is the highest rated honeymoon specialist located in New Jersey on both Wedding Wire and the Knot.