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 Rome
- the central gateway and true birthplace of the modern
culture of the Italian peninsula, this large, busy city
balances history and present commerce perfectly. Aside from
its amazing monuments - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum,
the Vatican, the Catacombs - and stately piazzas, the city
has a surprising number of hidden corners and quiet neighborhoods
with romantic spots for honeymooners; Trastevere, the medieval
quarter across the Tiber comes immediately to mind. The
countryside around Rome is not to be missed as well - a
quick drive or train ride can take you to any number of
towns and villages sheltering vibrant marketplaces in the
shadows of Renaissance palaces and Roman ruins.
 Tuscany
- Tuscany, or Toscana, is a fertile countryside stretching
from the Mediterranean to the central mountains a few hours
north of Rome. What makes this part of Italy so appealing
is the lack of modernity and rush - even its beautiful towns
are somehow organic and peaceful. Spend some time exploring
the region's many wonderful villages, like Siena, San Gimignano,
Volterra, and Lucca, and sip some Chianti in their cellars.
In addition to the landscape, you'll be hard pressed to
find a better collection of art and architecture anywhere.
A perfect places for wine touring and agricultural tourism
- stay on a working farm and villa, if you like!
Florence
- is the cultural and spiritual capital of this region,
its stately piazzas along the Arno crowned with religious,
civic, and aristocratic architecture, all done in stone
and terra cotta in keeping with the traditions of centuries.
One of the best-preserved Renaissance cities in Europe,
Florence delights its visitors with wonderful museums,
restaurants, and shops. Fiesole, the original Roman city
in this vicinity, is far uphill from the busy city and
worth a trip for the views and fresh air.
Pisa
and Siena - More than for their signature cathedrals
- Pisa, with its leaning belltower, and Siena, with its
majestic Duomo - these Tuscan cities should be visited
for the charm of their people and beautiful natural settings.
Either can be done as a short daytrip from Florence, and
can also serve as a point of departure for countryside
exploration.
Umbria
- Assisi, Narni, Spoleto, Spello, Marmore, Trevi: the names
of the towns of Umbria call to mind Etruscans and saints,
fountains and forests, palaces and farms. Within two hours'
drive of Rome, travelers disappear into lush hills and the
foothills of the Apennines, to stay under the eaves of castles
and citadels, and to hear the ever-present churchbells of
this land of pilgrims and farmers. Inns, shops, vineyards,
and churches offer welcome at every turn, making this an
excellent region to pair with Rome, Venice, or the North.
 Lakes
District and Mountains of the North - Northern Italy
has long been the retreat of the privileged - Roman villas,
Papal mansions, and grand European palaces tower over the
calm lakes nestled beneath the Italian Alps. For romantic
trips, this region offers everything from skiing and hiking
to world-class spas; operas, plays, fashion, and fast cars
in Milan; Shakespeare in Verona; shrines in Turin, and decadent
relaxation in Garda and Como.
The
Italian Riviera - Like Amalfi to the south, the Italian
Riviera is an ideal place to relax in comfort, looking out
over the Mediterranean. Along the coast, you will find minuscule
bays and inlets, along with dramatic rocky cliffs. One of
the region's most popular towns is Portofino, a collection
of brightly painted peninsular buildings that take on a
magical glow at sunset. Life is rich and simple here for
visitors - unwind, eat and people-watch in style. A cultural
and natural highlight is the Cinque Terre ("Five Lands"),
a collection of five fishing villages that sit on bluffs
above the sea, offering picturesque village squares, incredible
views and tiny, pretty beaches..
Venice
- Occupying well over one hundred islands in the azure waters
of the Adriatic, this lagoon city is a watery maze of canals
grand and small, a plethora of bridges, and the Europe's
most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though thoroughly walkable,
getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard
the city's variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti
or smaller (and more expensive) gondolas. Venice's enticing,
exotic beauty - typified by the Byzantine architecture,
framed jewel windows above the Grand Canal, and the masks
of the Venetian Carnival - attests to the city's historic
role as a great trader to the East. The entire Mediterranean
flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city
in the splendors that illuminate it today.
 The
Amalfi Coast and Capri - This is the gorgeous coastal
region south of Naples, lined with romantic little towns
and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Connecting
these towns is the Amalfi Drive, a cliff-hugging stretch
of road that meanders for 40 miles from Sorrento to Salerno.
Erosion from the sea has created bizarre rock formations
and hollowed out secluded grottoes. Along the road, there
are beautiful white villages, each offering its own take
on Italian coastal life. Positano is a particular favorite,
with a colorful cascade of hillside buildings and boutique
shops right alongside the functional marina. Across from
Amalfi is the island of Capri, Italy's most glamorous seaside
getaway. This craggy island is made up of magnificent cliffs
and grottoes, Moorish architecture, tiny town squares, and
narrow medieval alleyways. A lesser-known gem is the garden
isle of Ischia, across the Bay of Naples from Capri.
Sardinia
- Through all the ancient processes of colonization which
have shaped the course of Mediterranean history, the people
of Sardinia have retained their identity and singularity,
remaining as unique and timeless as the landscape of their
island. Cagliari, the capital, is a very welcoming port,
with an interesting medieval section and a beautiful beach.
For honeymooners, the real draw is in the north, with the
classic beaches and resorts of Olbia and the Emerald Coast,
the grottoes and Spanish-influenced palaces of Alghero,
and the warm hospitality of the Nuoro backcountry, with
its ancient ruins, ranches, and inns.
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