By: Francesca Montillo, ISDA Food + Travel Writer
Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just days away, so we thought we’d round up Italy’s most romantic destinations. As an Italian food and wine tour leader and guide, my attention usually goes to a city’s, well, food and wine!
But there’s no denying that Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world. With beauty all around, it’s an open air museum that begs to be discovered, perhaps arm-in-arm with your significant other?
Read on and add these destinations for your next Italian adventure.
We can’t have a list such as this without this first destination, and if you’ve been there, I know you will agree. Venice has always been considered one of Italy’s most romantic cities.
Treat yourself to an Italian holiday in the lagoon, and let yourself be enchanted by the gondolas on the canals, the sunsets in St. Mark’s Square, the history of this Maritime Republic and the elegant and timeless atmosphere. Between bridges, domes and porticos, the Serenissima is the ideal destination to spend a romantic weekend.
Next, and not at all far from Venice, we are in Verona, perhaps my own personal favorite city in all of Italy. With its historic center as precious as a pearl, where you can walk and breathe in the city atmosphere, and at the same time marvel at a truly rich artistic heritage.
The famous Arena, the splendid Piazza D’Erbe, the bridges and the Scaligeri Arks, everything speaks of beauty, art and poetry, unique flavors and good living when you’re in Verona. And how could we not mention the famous balcony that was the scene of the tragic events of Romeo and Juliet?
And while we’re in the neighborhood, let’s add a lake. Lake Garda will capture you at first glance with its dreamy and romantic atmosphere. The towns on Lake Garda are precious treasures that the whole world envies. If you can, stay by the lake and rent a car, which allows you to see as many villages as possible.
Not to be missed in the area include Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Peschiera del Garda and Bardolino. Sirmione being my personal favorite of these. On the way to the lake, if you have time, stop in Bergamo to explore the upper part of the city.
If there is a place where anyone would gush over due to its beauty, it is certainly Portovenere. The intense blue of the waters, the romantic caves and islands, the colorful boats, the houses close together as in an embrace, the castle … all ideal for a romantic getaway.
After all we are talking about an area that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the Cinque Terre, which you will also have to make sure to include in your visit.
Lake Maggiore, the second largest lake in Italy, overlooks a whole series of villages perfect for romantic weekends in Italy.
Among them, Verbania, with its baroque palaces, medieval palaces and lush parks, which will leave you breathless. Do not miss the Borromean Islands, Arona, Stresa and Pallanza, where it will seem that time has really stopped and that you are in a fairy tale, especially if visiting out of season.
The Salento are in Puglia is more than just crystal clear seas. Even the inland areas will win you over, both for their beauty and for their history. Drive around the small characteristic villages, with intricate streets and the sun that paints them in bright gold, and savor the atmosphere.
Stop in particular in Nardò, full of ancient monuments and churches, and in Galatina, where you can discover everything about the famous taranta dance. Salento leaves you breathless.
Southern Sicily await you in that wonderful portion of Italy known all over the world for its beauty. A romantic weekend begins with a visit to the heart of Syracuse, among the glittering light-colored stone streets of Ortigia.
Enjoy a pistachio ice cream ,and a dip in the emerald waters of the Vendicari Reserve, before getting lost in the wonders of the historic center of Noto, Scicli, Modica and Ragusa.
Further north in Sicily, we visit another treasure. Taormina, the pretty Sicilian town in the province of Messina, is located 200 meters above sea level, right on the (almost) tip of Monte Tauro.
Beautiful for its alleys and squares, fascinating for the Greek-Roman theater and the naumachia, unforgettable for the Isola Bella which is located just below. However, not everyone knows that you have to go a little higher to see this stretch of coast at 360 ° and precisely in Castelmola, the town of panoramas!
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