Colosseum, Roma

Colosseum, Roma

Your Italy Honeymoon

Italy is rich in history and culture. Here, you can have a land and sea adventure at romantic places throughout the country. The options for experiencing beautiful countryside and immersing yourself in culture are almost endless. Enjoy a romantic getaway on the Mediterranean Sea or on an Italian island, or explore the Italian Alps together. Your perfect Italy honeymoon will be a dreamy escape for just the two of you to enjoy.

Tuscany

Tuscany

Italian Geography

The history of many European destinations is often tied to a region’s landscapes and how they have been part of cultural development and history through the centuries. Italy is no exception. Location and access to water have given the country geopolitical advantages over time.

You may have grown up learning that the shape of Italy—the Italian peninsula, really—looks like a boot. Italy is a small country, about the size of Arizona, divided into 20 regions. Overall, people refer to north and south Italy, plus its islands, including Sicily and Sardinia. Its capital city—and most heavily populated city—is Rome.

The country is so small and well-known that nearly all of its major cities are names you’ve heard before. There’s Milan, Venice, Florence and Pisa in northern Italy. Central Italy is home to Rome and Vatican City (a city-state within Rome). Naples (including Pompeii) and Bari are in southern Italy.

Popular regions include the Italian Riviera, Tuscany, the Italian Alps (including Lake Como), and the Amalfi Coast.

Your perfect honeymoon destination is surrounded by various bodies of water. The Tyrrhenian Sea is to the west, between mainland Italy and Sardinia, Sicily and Corsica (a French island). The Adriatic Sea is west of Italy, between the mainland and countries including Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania. The Ionian Sea is at the foot of the “boot,” next to southern Italy, and leads east to Greece. Beneath that is the Mediterranean Sea.

Countries that border Italy to the north include France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria.

Lake Como

Lake Como

Language in Italy

You may want to learn a little bit of Italian when you’re traveling to Italy for your honeymoon. Many people speak English, but it will be fun to say “please” and “thank you” in Italian throughout your trip. (FYI, that’s “per favore” and “grazie.“)

Time Zone

Italy is in the Central European Time zone, which is GMT + 2. They observe Daylight Savings Time. If it’s 6 pm in Italy, it’s noon in New York City, and 9 am in Los Angeles.

Roma

Italian Currency

Italy is part of the European Union, so they use the Euro for currency. (Before 1999, the currency in Italy was the Lira.)

LGBTQ+ Community in Italy

Although same-sex activity has been legal in Italy since 1890, same-sex couples cannot legally wed in Italy. However, civil unions are recognized between same-sex couples. So, they can enjoy some of the benefits and rights heterosexual married couples enjoy. The major LGBTQ+ rights organization in Italy is called Arcigay.

Gay tourists traveling here—including couples on their Italy honeymoon—should feel safe and comfortable visiting, especially in major cities. Homosexuality is more widely accepted it North—Milan considers itself the “gay capital of Italy,” hosting a yearly Milan Pride event that attracts over 100,000 participants, and also hosts a LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Capri and Taormina in Sicily, are also tourist hotspots that are known to be very LGBTQ+-friendly.

Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast

The Best Time to Go on Your Italy Honeymoon

As you proceed with honeymoon planning, consider ideal times to visit and schedule your honeymoon trip accordingly.

The weather in Italy is best in the spring and fall. Visitors may want to avoid peak heat in July and August. (However, off-season honeymoons may have more budget-friendly options available. Just be prepared for temps above 90°F.) During April and May, temperatures in Rome and Florence have an average low of 46°F and a high of 76°F. In September and October, temperatures range from 51°F to 81°F.

Manarola

Manarola

Italy Honeymoon Itinerary Flights

A honeymoon in Italy is a popular destination for newlyweds. Depending on if you want to get to central or northern Italy, flying to Rome or Venice is easy. The country has a strong train network to reach nearby cities and various domestic airports within the country.

Below are three sample flights to Italy during the second week of September from three major U.S. cities. They are priced per person, round trip to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (code FCO):

  • LAX to FCO: $1,035 on a 12 hour, nonstop flight departing in October
  • NYC to FCO: $540 for an eight and a half hour flight, nonstop departing in October
  • IAH to FCO: $1,000 for a flight with one stop and just under 13 hours of travel time departing in October

If you wish to fly to Venice, here are three sample flights to Italy during the second week of September from three major U.S. cities. They are priced per person, round trip to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (code VCE):

  • LAX to VCE: $1,200 and about 14 hours of travel time with one layover stop departing in October
  • NYC to VCE: $650 nonstop, and a flight just under 10 hours departing in October
  • IAH to VCE: $1,010 for about 15 hours of traveling and one stop departing in October

Montepulciano

Additional Italy Travel Information

Passport and Visa Requirements

You’ll need a valid passport with two blank pages to visit Italy. Your passport must be valid for six months from the date you leave Italy to return home. If you’re staying for less than 90 days, you don’t need a visa.

Vaccinations

You don’t need any particular vaccines to visit Italy.

COVID-19 Restrictions and Requirements in Italy

At this time, there are no COVID-19 restrictions or requirements when entering the country. If you prefer to test before you travel home, however, according to the U.S. Embassy, PCR and/or antigen tests are available for U.S. citizens in Italy from pharmacies (antigen tests) or labs (PCR tests) and are readily available within 48 hours.

Masks are required only in hospitals in Italy. While recommended masks are not required in crowded areas, including on public transport.

Roma

Things to Do in Italy

There are scores of activities to enjoy on your Italy honeymoon. Relax and sip wine from a local Italian vineyard. Adventure to a nearby small town on a moped or take a guided boat tour on the Mediterranean. Explore famous historical sites and monuments. Here are a few honeymoon destinations to visit for an incredibly romantic time in Italy and what you can do in each city.

Gondolas in Venice

Venice

Venice

A visit to Venice without a gondola ride is like a visit to Walt Disney World without riding Space Mountain. It’s a must! Venice is famous for its Venetian Glass and Carnival masks, so be sure to leave time to pop in and out of its small shops to buy some honeymoon souvenirs. St. Mark’s Square is famous for its hoards of pigeons and often floods when the waters surrounding Venice invade the piazza. Taking photos in the square is one of the most iconic things to do in Venice.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Florence

This is where the Italian Renaissance was born in the 15th century; it’s a magnificent city. You can’t miss a visit to see the “David” sculpture, by Michelangelo. His home is at the Galleria dell’Accademia. You’ll also want to see the famous Duomo in Florence, with its terra cotta dome and impressive white, green and pink carved marble exterior. Head to the Uffizi gallery to see The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.

If time doesn’t allow for several days in the Tuscan countryside during your Italy honeymoon, consider a day trip from Florence. Sign up for a wine tasting experience for an extra special, romantic taste of Italy and a glimpse into the culture’s history.

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Trevi Fountain, Roma

Rome

Rome has riches you’ll surely want to experience during your honeymoon in Italy. Make a wish in the Trevi Fountain, a famous landmark that used to be a water source for the city when it was created in the 18th century. Stand at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colosseum, and understand the entertainment purpose it served when it was built in 70 AD, thousands of years ago. Visit the Pantheon church, which started out as a holy temple.

Vatican City is within Rome. No matter your religion, the architecture there is worth a visit. The famous Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo, is housed in the Vatican Museum.

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre

One of the most romantic things you can do during a honeymoon in Italy if you’re planning the perfect trip is to head to Cinque Terre. This is one of the best honeymoon destinations in all of Italy, and you’ll take plenty of photos in front of the colorful houses in the seaside villages to prove it.

This national park is on the Italian Riviera and consists of five villages, the coastline, and surrounding hillsides. (Cinque Terre literally means “Five Lands.”) The whole area is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can enjoy the beaches, sunrises and sunsets, waterfront restaurants and views.

Pizza in Napoli, Naples

Napoli, Naples

Naples

Many know Naples as the birthplace of pizza. Delicious food is an experience all its own here, so we recommend a culinary tour to learn more about the city’s connection to the world-famous comfort food. A trip to Pompeii from Naples will provide further insight into the city’s history, with the still-active Mount Vesuvius volcano nearby.

View from Hotel Duomo Firenze on your Italy honeymoon

Hotel Duomo Firenze, Florence

Romantic Italy Honeymoon Hotels of Note

As with many European countries, there is a vast range of accommodations. Choose from luxury hotels to hostels, more typical of where backpackers who want to save money may stay. But with a more romantic atmosphere in mind, we have three noteworthy honeymoon hotels for you to look into. Select the one that sets you up for your most romantic Italian honeymoon.

Venice: The Gritti Palace and Private Residence is a 15th-century palazzo. So, you’ll feel like royalty in this restored royal residence that overlooks the Grand Canal in the heart of the city. Dine at their Club del Doge restaurant and watch gondolas float by as you soak up the Italian sun. The Gritti may be one of the most fabulous and luxurious hotels in Italy.

Florence: Hotel Duomo Firenze puts you right next to the Duomo. (What’s more romantic than a view of this stunning church in the heart of the city?) It’s an ideal honeymoon hotel.

Rome: The St. Regis in Rome is only a romantic 15-minute stroll from the Trevi Fountain. You’ll be in awe of its lobby before you even reach your suite. Imagine a dinner in town with incredible Italian food, followed by a leisurely walk back to one of the best hotels in the city for a good night’s sleep together. Wake up in an ideal location in Rome’s historic center to see more sites during your Italy honeymoon the next day.

Alzaia Naviglio Grande, Milano

Alzaia Naviglio Grande, Milano

Honeymoon Registry with Honeyfund

Register for flights, trains to transport yourselves between cities, a Chianti wine tasting or a Vespa moped adventure during your Italy honeymoon itinerary. It’s easy to do with a Honeyfund starter registry for Italy. Be sure to share it with your family and friends so they can contribute to your romantic trip in a meaningful way.

Mikkel Woodruff

Mikkel Woodruff owns two travel sites, Sometimes Home and Sometimes Sailing, which she operates with her husband, Dan. Her photo business, Mikkel Paige Photography, allows her to bring a unique perspective to Honeyfund as she has been a part of the wedding industry for over a decade. She calls the east coast of the United States home and travels domestically and internationally multiple times a year hoping to inspire others to travel.

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