If there’s one country that best captures a sense of romance, that country is Italy. People might talk about Paris or New York, or the sun-bleached islands of the Maldives and the Caribbean, or watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, but only Italy provides romantic destinations in such abundance, from the mountainous lakes in the north, through the rolling vineyards and olive groves of its central regions, to the spectacular coastal villages along its southernmost tip.
Even the word ‘romance’ originates in Italy, coming from ‘romant’, meaning ‘in the Roman manner’. With so much on offer, the question then becomes what type of Italian romance are you looking for?
La Serenissima
The first place that comes to mind when thinking of Italy’s most romantic destinations is, of course, Venice. The Floating City is like nowhere else on earth, what with its vast network of canals, its iconic gondolas and its stunning Medieval architecture, culminating in St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal.
This is a city dedicated to the ideal of beauty, whether it’s the Tintoretto paintings on display at the Scualo Grande di San Rocco, the Italo-Byzantine architecture of St Mark’s Basilica, or the Gothic Franciscan church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, with its huge altarpiece painted by Titian.
But the best thing to do in Venice is simply walk with no particular destination in mind, taking in its countless bridges, its quiet corners and unexpected little squares – try to get out early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, and as the sun rises over the lagoon.
As for hotels, the San Cassiano Residenzia D’Epoca is just a ten-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge on the banks of the Grand Canal, and the perfect spot to explore the delights of La Seresnissima.
The lakes
Head west of Venice and it’s not long before you encounter the beautiful city of Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet no less. Like Venice, its Medieval and Renaissance architecture is best explored on foot, in particular the Piazza del Erbe (with Juliet’s balcony at the Casa di Giulietta nearby), the Teatro Romano, built in 100BC, and the Castelvecchio located just outside the old Roman city.
Verona sits next to Lake Garda, which is one of the five major lakes in this part of the country, along with Maggiore, Como, Lugano and Iseo, each with its own distinct character.
The Milanese tend to opt for Lake Como, under an hour’s journey from the city, also favoured in the past by England’s Romantic poets, Percy Shelley declaring it ‘exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty’. Looking out at its deep, calm waters, with the Alps soaring majestically beyond, it’s easy to agree. If you plan on staying, head for the Medieval town of Menaggio – and the Hotel Grand Menaggio – with its narrow streets and famous promenade.
Continue west and you’ll reach Lake Maggiore, the second largest of the lakes after Garda. Peppering its shoreline are rainbow-coloured fishing villages, while the Borromean Islands just north of the town of Stresa are not to be missed, dominated as they are by grand palazzos and botanical gardens. If you’re staying in Stresa, try one of the palatial hotels, like Hotel Della Torre or the Regina Palace, which offer stunning views across the lake.
True romance
Running down the boot of Italy, the romantic destinations come thick and fast, whether it’s the medieval towers and delicious food of Bologna, the endless glories of Florence (including the famous dome of Santa Maria Cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge or the Uffizi Gallery), or Rome’s embarrassment of riches, far too long to list here. Any of these places are more than enough for a whole series of romantic getaways.
But if you want both city and beach, Tuscany is arguably Italy’s best region to combine the two. Not only do you have Florence, but there’s also Pisa and Livorno to explore, while the glamorous beach scene at places like Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio has been attracting A-listers for decades – try the Grand Forte dei Marmi Hotel right on the beach.
If Tuscany is all about the wine for you, head inland to Montaione with its lush Chianti-producing vineyards and olive groves. Try a boutique hotel like La Tabaccaia Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a relaxing retreat set in acres of greenery, yet still only an hour’s drive from Florence.
The Amalfi Coast
When it comes to romantic vistas, Italy is constantly outdoing itself. In the south is the UNESCO-listed Amalfi coast, stately Medieval towns tumble over steep mountainsides to the sea; bougainvillea grows over the villas in places like Ravello, Positano and Praiano and causes the landscape to flash with magenta; small beach restaurants only accessible by boat serve up freshly-caught fish with crisp glasses of limoncello. It is also where you can sail to glamorous Capri, stopping en route at the Blue Grotto and the towering rock formations known as the Faraglioni.
Couples looking for ideal places to stay should try the Nastro Azzurro in Piano di Sorrento, with its romantic rooftop bar offering views over the bays of Naples and Salerno (and it should be mentioned, it is an adults-only resort from TUI, guaranteeing some you-and-your-loved-one-time), and the nearby Atlantic Palace, with its stunning views of Mount Vesuvius. But this is definitely a part of Italy where you’ll want to get up and down the coast to explore, taking in places like the famous Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, with its beautiful gardens and Terrace of Infinity, or the town of Amalfi itself, with its 11 century cathedral and Michaelangelo sculpture.
All hotels featured in this article can be booked with TUI. Discover all the delights Italy has to offer and book your last minute holiday today!