How To Honeymoon in Italy
Buongiorno! I’ve never been on a honeymoon in Italy before, but I have been around the country a few times. Italy is an absolutely beautiful place that offers a variety of scenery, weather, food, wine, and activities. I recommend visiting in late spring or early summer; it should be mostly warm during the day and cool at night this time of the year. There are many things to do and see in Italy but chances are you don’t have time for that long of a trip, so I’ll tell you how to make the most of a few of my favorite places in this 12-day honeymoon trip! As for where to stay, let me say that not all hostels deserve the bad rep and I very much enjoyed my stay (I stayed in a total of 4 on my last trip); you can usually find a lot with rooms for two people. But! This is your honeymoon, so if you’re looking to splurge a little then don’t worry; the hotels have just as much character as the hostels.
Days 1–5: Florence
Start your trip by flying into the Airport of Florence and taking either rental car, bus, taxi or limo service to your destination. It is fairly easy to walk to the majority of the sights Florence has to offer but you may want to stay near Stazione Santa Maria Novella, the train station (buses and taxis also wait here). 5 days gives you plenty of time to leisurely explore the city and maybe take a few side trips, too. I recommend seeing the Duomo and climbing the steps to the very top; the view is simply stunning (go in the morning before it gets too hot or in the evening)! There are many museums but a few of the more famous ones are the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia (which houses the David), Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens.
Make sure to walk through all the main piazzas (Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Repubblica, and Signoria) as well as take a romantic sunset stroll over to Ponte Vecchio, a bridge across the Arno River with shops along with it. There’s also a wonderful leather market, Mercato del Porcellino, not far from Piazza de Repubblica where you can try your hand at bargaining. Be sure to check out my favorite tour company, Florence For Fun, and take a day trip to Rome, Pisa or Lucca! I highly recommend their Chianti Hiking and Wine Tasting tour! (Personally, I only recommend one day in Rome because it is so hot, crowded and expensive- tourist trap.)
Days 6–8: Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre
The Amalfi Coast is still on my list of places I must visit one day, but on my last trip I went to Cinque Terre and fell in love (to be fair, I do that a lot in Italy)! I recommend Cinque Terre if you’re feeling adventurous and ready to explore, and the Amalfi Coast if you would prefer to relax on the beach. Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 cities on the coast of the Italian Riviera that all have beautifully colored houses perched on the cliffside overlooking the Ligurian and Mediterranean Seas. They have the best white wine I have ever tasted; it’s really spoiled me as I can’t find it here in the States. Make sure to get a National Parks Pass that will also give you access to the train. Hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola on Via dell’Amore, also known as Lover’s Lane, and visit the amazing beaches in Monterosso. If you choose to visit the Amalfi Coast you can spend your time on the black sand beaches of Positano, the Emerald Grotto and the island of Capri, or take a trip to Pompeii! Also, don’t be surprised if you see giant lemons; locals use them to make an alcoholic treat called Limoncello.
Days 9–12: Venice
I’ve recommended 4 days here because if you prefer to save money by taking the slow train, it may take half a day to get from the coast to Venice. The first thing you need to do in preparation for a trip to Venice…get a map! If you have a smartphone I recommend downloading City Maps 2Go, either free or $2.99 on iTunes. It has detailed maps including attractions, transportation, and your current location. It can be very easy to get lost in Venice, worry because that can be fun; the hard part is getting un-lost and back to your room at the end of the day! The food is great all over Italy but Venice is where you must try seafood, even if you aren’t a fan of it. Of course, you also have to take a romantic gondola ride; it is definitely worth it to pay the extra for a narrated tour. Try to find a gondolier who seems eager to tell stories. Chances are if you ask them about their life or their country, they won’t have a problem talking all about it! Make sure to walk over the Rialto bridge, another one filled with shops. Be careful when buying things in this area as it’s a huge tourist trap and you will find a lot of items made in China. Also be sure to check out Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, a Murano glass demonstration, and as I said before, don’t be afraid to get lost!
If you choose to honeymoon in Italy then I hope you love the country and its culture as much as I do and I wish you the happiest time! One more note that’s very important: when taking the train, make sure you fill out all the information on your ticket and get it validated in one of the machines, usually green, near the platforms before getting on your train! You will be charged another full-price ticket if you are caught on the train without a validated ticket! Once you learn your way around Italy’s transportation system it can become quite easy and almost second-nature to you. I have found that Italy is full of friendly people but if you’re having any difficulties then just remember, the more effort you make to learn their language and culture, the more friendly and helpful you will find the locals. Ciao!
