Italy is a country synonymous with beauty, romance and love – with very good reason. It is one of the most geographically incredible countries in the world and renowned for its incredible food, wine, culture, architecture, fashion and stunning landscapes. With so many amazing cities and regions in one country and dozens of beautiful islands there are many reasons why Italy is considered to be one of the most romantic and alluring destinations in the world, but during the spring and summer months many of the most well known cities in Italy like Florence, Venice and Rome and the regions like the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are flooded with tourists, the restaurants are filled up and in some places like Sorrento there are so many people around you can barely move. We’re not saying not to go to those places, but keep in mind the time of year you go because you may be very surprised to learn when the busiest times to visit are and if you only have a certain window of time, our suggestion is to make it a point to get away from the crowds and experience authentic, un-touched Italy which will not only leave your pocket-book in better standing, but also leave you with an impression of Italy that is far different from those who only ever visit the major cities and sites.
Below, we’ve put together some simply fantastic holiday suggestions for those looking to experience a taste of authentic Italy and truly romantic destinations. Great for lovers of all ages and those who love to venture off the beaten-track.
Here are a few of the destinations we think are the most romantic holiday destinations in Italy:
Ponza is an island that is part of the Pontine islands, which are an archipelago of volcanic origin lying off the west coast of Italy, in the middle of the Tyrrhenian sea. Easily accessible from Rome, in the province of Latina, opposite the Gulf of Gaeta, the islands are comprised of two groups: around Ponza, the largest, lie Palmarola, Zannone and Gavi; whilst at roughly 20 miles away there is Ventotene and, close by, Santo Stefano. Only two of the islands are inhabited throughout the year: those of Ponza and Ventotene.
Visitors to the town of Ponza are greeted in the gorgoues harbour with it’s backdrop of pretty pink houses clinging to the hillside. Small buses, custom built to fit along thenarrow lanes, transport tourists to enchanting bays such as that of Chiaia di Luna. From Ponza, boats cross the waters to the dramatically beautiful island of Palmarola, now a protected Nature Reserve.
Those looking for a truly romantic island escape where very few tourists ever make it, Ponza is the Island Paradise for you.
2) Maratea
Ringed by cliffs and wonderful sandy beaches, the Tropea promontory is reason unto itself to visit the region of Calabria. This town is one of my all time favourite place in Italy. The best time to visit is anytime between May and November.
Tropea, easily wins the contest for prettiest town on the Calabria Tyrrhenian coast, with its old palazzi built in simple golden stone right into the cliffs. There is still a quite, humbleness to this town, that seems to have been lost in many other places in Italy due to so much mass tourism. Thankfully, the big tour operators haven’t made Tropea their target; yet.
The Ninfa Gardens (Giardini NInfa as called in Italian) are located in the province of Latina in the region of Lazio, Italy. They are one of the regions most beautiful and perhaps romantic gardens with an incredible history, most certainly worth while of visit for garden lovers, history buffs and lovers of beauty.
This is truly a remarkable place, akin to what some what might consider the garden of Eden for when you enter you feel as though you are in a sacred place, which it is. The gardens are named ‘Ninfa’ referring to the Nymphes, goodesses, seductresses of love. When you enter here, there is no doubt that it is other-wordly. Though what comes as a surprise to most that these gardens run over an ancient Roman town and ancient Roman ruins are scatered throughout the immense garden works.
6. Spello
Spello is a town located on the hills of Umbria in the center of Italy. Just six miles south of Assisi, this town is much less touristy than the nearby towns to its north. This is a very pretty hill-top town that is known as the city of Flowers and it is a gorgeous town to explore. Spello will give your legs a nice workout. Via Consolare goes from the bottom to the top of the town. Views from the terrace of the II Trombone restaurant will leave you speechless. This picturesque town has bastions and gateways that bear witness to its past as a Roman settlement. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore has the Baglioni Chapel with breathtaking frescoes. By the alter are frescoes by Perugino. Nearby, in the Church of Sant’Andrea, built in 1025, is a painting by Pinturicchio and a crucifix attributed to Giotto. At the base of town Roman mosaics were discovered in 2005. In the springtime for the Infiorate del Corpus Domini, inhabitants paint images on the streets with flower petals.
Sardegna is also known as Sardinia and it is a region of ancient traditions. The inner island is characterized by wild mountain areas and wide green valleys covered with shrubs, spots of grassy land with a mixture of myrtle, serpillo, India figs and dwarf oaks. The coast presents an enchanting sea with bays and isolated inlets, grottoes, very long stretches of white and pink sandy beaches. Sardinia is synonymous with the sea: transparent waters, charming beaches, pure nature. In truth, Sardinia is a region rich in ancient traditions and culture. It’s beautiful coastal towns make it by far one of the most romantic islands in the Mediterranean sea.
8. Villa Balbianello, Lake Como
The Italian Lake District, consists of Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Garda. The climate here is a micro-climate and so it’s quite warm in the area year-round and there are many tropical flowers and gorgeous gardens around the lake. George Clooney recently bought a villa on Lake Como where he and his new wife, married in Venice live half the year, and they live there half the year.
The Lake District is an area with fantastic hotels and absolutely stunning scenery. We highly recommend it for those who want to relax and revel in the exquisite beauty of the area.
9. Ischia
Ischia is the largest island in the Bay of Naples and one of the prettiest places to visit in the Mediterranean. The island has been featured in numerous Italian movies like “Paradiso Perso” (Paradise Lost) a romantic comedy, where the island sets the idyllic scene of two star-crossed lovers who fall in love with each other all over again, in part because they cannot escape the beauty off the island or the romance the island’s beauty forces between them
Venice is unique and always awe-inspiring. The colourful reflections off the water will simply leave you speechless. When in Venice, make sure to visit the nearby islands like Murano and Burano (seen in the picture above) which are easily reachable by the frequently passing boats.
Siracusa is a vibrant city with a a wealth of monuments, the most important of which can be found in the Archeological park of the Neapolis. Here one finds the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomia del Paradiso, the Grotta dei Cordari, the Ara di Lerone, Porta Urbica, Apollo’s Temple, the Cathedral and Athena’s Temple, Zeus’s Temple, the Gymnasium, the Catacombs, the Paolo Orsi Museum and Eurialo Castle.
It’s strategic position on the Mediterranean and it’s beautiful streets make it by far one of the most romantic towns for those visiting Sicily to stay in and explore.