Italy is one of those quintessential honeymoon destinations – it’s that combination of romantic cities, Mediterranean climate, lovely beaches, outstanding countryside, delectable cuisine and a culture rich in history. Tuscany, with its rolling hills, olive groves, beautiful cities and ancient villages, is justifiably the focus for many a honeymoon, and is a great choice for both relaxation and exploration. The region has an excellent train network, so you can easily get around by public transport, but for optimum freedom and to explore those gorgeous hill towns you’ll probably want a car – just prepare yourself for some stereotypically bad driving.
Where to stay
You may well want to just stay in one place on honeymoon – which is fair enough – but to get the most out of the region I’d recommend staying in at least a couple of different places. Perhaps combine a visit to a city (Florence, Siena or Lucca) with a stay among the vineyards in Chianti, and a few days in a hill town.
In Florence, we loved Residenza Johanna 1, which is tucked away from the tourist crowds (but just a short walk from the centre) and very homely while retaining the romantic feel you’d want from a hotel in this city. Plus, there was tea, coffee and cake available (complimentary) throughout the day – definitely something to look forward to after you’ve been out pounding the streets; from £59 a night.
Also in Florence, J K Place is currently the coolest address in town, with stylish, modern rooms, a wonderful rooftop bar, and the feel of a private (but very chic) residence; from £294 a night.
For a really magical, and decadent, experience, consider the deservedly acclaimed Villa San Michele, perched in the hills above Florence, though you may not be able to drag yourself away from the romantic surroundings and amazing views to do any exploring; from £458 a night
In the hills close to Arezzo, Villa i Bossi has lovely, romantic rooms and a great swimming pool with wonderful views, plus is ideally placed for trying Tuscany’s glorious wines and olive oils; from £105 a night.
If you want your honeymoon to revolve around food and wine, you can’t do much better than beautiful Villa Bordoni in Chianti, with its acclaimed restaurant, fantastic wines and elegantly rustic rooms; from £160 a night.
I absolutely love the look of Tenuta di Pieve a Celle, a converted farmhouse close to Pistoia – there’s just five perfectly romantic rooms here, a wonderful swimming pool, gorgeous grounds, and the possibility of the owners rustling up some fantastic local food for you; from £100 a night.
On the island of Elba, Hotel Barsalini offers sweet and simple rooms, though they are a bit of a mixed bunch so it’s worth shelling out for a little more luxury – the best have lovely sea views; from £45.
What to do
In Florence, marvel at the beautiful architecture and the treasures in the Uffizi or lose yourself among the quiet, cobbled streets of the Oltarno (the “other side of the Arno”).
Explore the classic hill town of Montepulciano, with its beautiful palazzi and views over the Tuscan countryside.
The island of Elba is Italy’s third largest – expect white-sand beaches, a mountainous, wooded interior that’s perfect for long walks, and attractive old towns.
Spend a few days exploring the beautiful medieval city of Siena. If you’re there on either July 2nd or August 16th, you’ll be able to experience the spectacle of the city’s rampant horse race, the Palio.
Gorgeous Lucca, crammed full of beautiful buildings and piazzas, is a quieter alternative to Florence and Siena, though just as charming (if not more so).
If you fancy an old-fashioned, very Italian seaside resort, Viareggio is definitely worth a bit of time, with an attractive old town and lively nightlife.
Wander around hill-top villages, seek out ancient churches, and make the most of the weather over a leisurely lunch in a sun-soaked piazza.
Taste your way around the vineyards of Chianti, and then soak up all the booze with some fantastic local food.
When to go
Tuscany can get very hot in high summer, and very crowded, though it’s of course still a beautiful time to visit, and you can make the most of the abundant local produce. Best of all is late spring/early summer and early autumn – generally you can expect bright, warm days with cooler nights, and, outside of the school holidays, fewer crowds. Winters can be a bit chilly, though if your main priority is to avoid the crowds then it’ll be perfect.
Photo 1 courtesy of Jiri Sebek; photo 2 courtesy of Residenza Johanna 1; photo 3 courtesy of Tenuta di Pieve a Celle; photo 5 courtesy of bongo vongo.
Nice.