Best Destinations for a Honeymoon in Italy

When I was planning my first trip to Italy, my then-fiance and I toyed briefly with the idea of eloping while we were there. After a quick perusal of a few websites and books, it became clear that putting the words “Italy” and “eloping” into the same sentence wasn’t going to be easy, and we abandoned the plan. But it’s not surprising at all that Italy routinely ranks among the top honeymoon destinations in the world, for the same reason that we initially wanted to get married there – it’s so incredibly romantic.
So, if you can’t be bothered with everything it would take to organize a wedding in Italy, then planning a honeymoon in Italy is absolutely the next best thing.
But where in Italy should you spend your honeymoon? That might be the most challenging question to answer. Because there are so many places in Italy that seem tailor-made for a romantic vacation of any kind, you almost can’t go wrong. Almost.
I know people who honeymooned in Rome and loved it, and I know there are romantic Rome hotels that could probably make a honeymoon in Rome feel deliciously luxurious, but if you’re asking me (which you kind of are, since you’re reading this article) where you should go on your Italy honeymoon, Rome isn’t going to make the cut. Instead, here are my top 7 Italy honeymoon destinations (which will, of course, work for any romantic Italy trip you’re taking – honeymoon or not).

Tuscany

Sure, the whole “Tuscan Sun” thing has been played out, and you’re bound to run into more tourists in Tuscany’s famed hilltowns than Italians during some parts of the year, but there’s a reason people keep coming back to this region of central Italy year after year. It’s bloody gorgeous.
Y’know those pictures you’ve seen of mist-covered green hills punctuated by spire-like cypress trees winding along on either side of the driveway to someone’s ancient and beautiful farmhouse? Those places exist, and with remarkable frequency, throughout Tuscany. The food can be amazing (and inexpensive), the wine is legendary, and there’s nothing quite like sharing a moment in a cobbled piazza with your sweetheart – preferably over gelato.
I’d recommend honeymooners base themselves in a quieter hill town for the bulk of their honeymoon, just to make the most of the relaxed atmosphere, but unless you hate art you really can’t spend time in Tuscany without visiting Florence for a couple of days. Otherwise, towns like San Gimignano, Lucca, Montalcino, and Pienza are worth considering (make sure you know which ones have train stations, as that can be an issue if you’re not planning to rent a car).