Start your journey in romantic Tuscany, the picturesque region in the northern part of Italy’s ‘boot’. Take a few days to relax and soak up the incredible scenery, architecture and culture.
The Medieval Towns of Tuscany
Visit the medieval towns of Siena and marvel at the views from the top of its iconic Torre del Mangia. Wonder within the historic city walls of San Gimignano, a small hill-top town famous for its picture-perfect skyline of medieval towers.
Stay at one of the many ‘agriturismo‘ – authentic guest accommodation on working farms or vineyards – such as Santo Pietro in Pancole, a few kilometers outside San Gimignano.
Florence and its many treasures
Head to Florence, the region’s capital and a treasure trove of Italian culture, architecture and history. Spend at least a couple of days here to cover the highlights.
Explore the history of the Medici at Palazzo Pitti, learn about one of Italy’s Greatest icons Galileo Galilei at the Galileo Museum , admire iconic art at the Uffizi Gallery , marvel at the architectural feat of the Duomo, shop for traditional jewellery on the city’s oldest bridge, Ponte Vecchio – to name just a few.
The views over the Tuscan hill from San Gimignano are simply stunning Views of San Gimignano, the Town of Fine Towers The symbol of Florence, Giotto’s bell tower next to the Duomo and baptistery The fountain of Neptune on the Piazza della Signoria is just one of many beautiful sculptures on this square. The Basilica de Santa Groce houses the tombs of many influential Italian personalities The Ponte Vecchio that stretches over the Arno river still houses gold smiths and jewellers. The Palazzo Pitti on the South side of the river Arno with its vast gardens.
Rome and the Vatican
If you’ve got room for another mind-blowing historical and cultural feast, stop in Rome for a few days on your way south. Heart of the empire and capital of modern day Italy, Rome feels like one big open-air museum. Monuments and places of historic significance around every corner.
The Vatican Galleries and St Peter’s Basilica are must-sees (definitely pre-book!), as are the Roman sites of the iconic Collosseum and the Forum Romanum. Two of my personal highlights are the Pantheon with its circular, open dome and Trajan’s column.
Find out more about the highlights of Rome in my city break post here.
By now you are probably ready for a slower pace so head further south towards the beautiful coastline of Amalfi.
Bay of Naples and Amalfi Coast
Stay in the charming tourist hotspot of Sorrento, or, if you don’t mind climbing steps, the picturesque town of Positano.
Climb up Mount Vesuvio for some stunning views of the Bay and visit the archaeological site of Pompeii, the tragic Roman city entirely buried under its volcanic ash 79 A.D.
But most importantly, indulge in a few relaxing and romantic days in the sunshine to complete your honeymoon. Enjoy the stunning sunsets over the Bay of Naples, treat yourself to Pizza and Limoncello and chill out on the beach before heading home as a married couple.
The facade of the Colosseum might be Rome’s world famous symbol but the magic happens on the inside. If you’re on a city break and short of time, pre-book your entry time, and if you fancy it a tour, as it saves you wasting valuable time queuing. Large crowds of pilgrims, visitors and tourists gather on St Peter’s Square on Wednesdays for the Papal audience. It is free to attend, but you do need to get a ticket so either consider pre-booking or get there very early (it usually starts at 10am). Sunlight floods the Pantheon building through a circular opening at the top of the dome. It is free to enter and marvel at this incredible architectural achievement. One of my favourites: Trajan’s Column on Palazzo Cipolla commemorates Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian wars. The lovely hillside town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast The ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii is a must-see. The excavated ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman life. Few archeological sites are as well preserved as Pompeii, which was buried during the eruption of Vesuvio in 79 AD. View of the volcano Vesuvio from Sorrento Bay
You can read more about our honeymoon in Italy here, where we’ve covered parts of this itinerary.