Regions Of Italy For Luxury Weddings & Honeymoons
In a country synonymous with romance, Italy for luxury weddings is the perfect choice. Weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, engagements, love affairs, and make-ups are ever-present. During a typical afternoon in nearly every region of Italy, cupid reigns supreme, making it the land of la dolce vita!
Italy divides into distinct regions: Northern, Central, and Southern (including the islands). Each region offers its own character, cuisine, and magnificent landscapes. So, understanding a bit about each one helps in choosing the ideal spot for your luxury wedding and honeymoon. Here’s an overview, and if you’ve already explored Wedaways’ wedding destinations, you’ll envision these locations more clearly.
Northern Italy:
Liguria – This region runs along the western coastline, bordering France, and includes the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre. Perfect for a seaside wedding, Liguria enjoys a mild winter climate.
Piemonte – A more wintry region, Piemonte boasts grand mountain ranges like Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) and the smart city of Turin.
Lombardy – A cosmopolitan region, Milan, its capital, is ideal for fashion lovers. From here, one can easily reach Liguria to the west, Switzerland and the magical Lake Districts to the north and northeast (Como, Maggiore, Stresa), and Venice (Veneto) to the east by train or car in just a few hours.
Venice
Veneto – Located in the northeast, Veneto’s most famous city is Venice. The region also includes Verona, immortalized by Shakespeare in “Romeo & Juliet.” Veneto boasts a stunning landscape and an international airport.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia – Italy’s far northeastern corner, home to the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The roads are incredibly scenic, and the hotels are charming, with many offering ski-in/ski-out access. Friuli also has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, making it perfect for sports and culinary lovers year-round.
Central Italy:
Emilia-Romagna – This wondrous north-central region lies in the fertile Po River Valley. Federico Fellini, one of Italy’s most famous filmmakers, hails from this area. The “Big Five” cities—Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Bologna—are Emilia-Romagna’s most popular destinations.
Lazio – Bordered by Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche to the north, Lazio includes the countryside, lakes, and seaside towns often overshadowed by Rome, the regional and national capital.
Countryside
Tuscany – The birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany is famous for its rolling green countryside and vineyards. Towns like Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and Montepulciano offer art-packed experiences and stunning views. San Gimignano and Montalcino are hilltop towns perfect for romantic proposals or weddings.
Siena – The red-brick hilltop city known for its pageantry, Palio horse race, and stunning traffic-free main square. Pisa; A city famous for its iconic Leaning Tower. Lucca; A charming city with a lively (and flat) town center, ringed by intact old walls wide enough for biking and strolling. Montepulciano; A rugged town crowning a ridge, with dreamy vistas of the countryside and wine-tasting.
Italy’s Manhattan
San Gimignano; The epitome of a hill town. Dotted with medieval towers offering superb views and perfect backdrops for photos. Montalcino; Truly the wine-lovers’ paradise boasting a dramatic 14th-century castle, encircled by olive groves. Cortona; A hillside town “under the Tuscan sun”. Brimming with historic churches and museums featuring Etruscan and Renaissance artifacts and art. All these towns have villas, hotels, and spas. These are among the most desirable places in Italy for weddings, honeymoons and romantic travel.
Umbria – Known as Italy’s “shadow,” Umbria is less well-known than its neighbors. It’s the only Italian region without a coastline or border with another country.
Southern Italy and islands:
Campania – Chaotic yet beautiful, Campania includes attractions like Naples, Capri, and Positano. Limoncello flows as freely as wine, and the sea offers every imaginable shade of blue and green. Capri was a favorite vacation spot of emperors.
La Dolce Vita
Sicily – The true birthplace of la dolce vita, Sicily is rich with history and old Hollywood charm. Its beaches, baroque towns, and ancient Greek ruins offer lazy sophistication. The villa where scenes from “The Godfather” were filmed is a popular wedding venue.
Sardinia – Known as the island of wealthy Italian second homeowners, Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is the smartest destination. This beautiful stretch of coastline, developed by wealthy investors, attracts celebrities every summer.
Calabria – At the toe of Italy’s boot, Calabria enjoys the splendid crystal blue Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. It’s separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina.
Popular regions
Puglia – Forming the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is known for whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmland, and Mediterranean coastline. Trulli houses and Masseria compounds abound. Bari is a vibrant port, while Lecce is called the “Florence of the South” for its baroque architecture.
Basilicata – Remote and mountainous, Basilicata is home to Matera, famous for its cave-dwelling districts. It borders Calabria, Puglia, the Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas.
Visit our destinations to see Wedaways’ portfolio of select Italian properties.
