Honeymoon in Florence, Italy

A city steeped in Renaissance art and located in the backdrop of exquisite Tuscany countryside, Florence reigns as one of the most romantic places on earth. Little wonder then it figures as a top honeymoon destination for couples from all cross the world who flock here for the best in European art, culture, fine dining and nature.

Go sightseeing

The most famous visual symbol of Florence is perhaps the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s only surviving Medieval bridge. Here you will find one of the best views in the whole city, maybe all of Italy, which makes it a perfect backdrop to share a passionate kiss with your brand-new spouse. For a truly romantic outing, buy a lock and key then take a walk to the Ponte Vecchio bridge where you will find locks linked together across the structure. Make a wish with your loved one, link your lock to the others, and toss the key over the bridge. This tradition is common among the Italian youth. However the structure which dominates the Florence skyline is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Almost anywhere you go in Florence, this massive gothic style cathedral is visible the church is open for visitors and what’s more, you can even climb to the top. On a pleasant day, you can plan a visit to Forte Belvedere, an old fortress from the 16th century, to see breathtaking views of Florence’s skyline as well as the hills of Tuscany. One of the best ways to experience Florence is simply to wander around the narrow alleys and enjoy the many piazzas, the most famous one being, the Piazza della Signoria. This square is decorated with statues by some of the most famous artists in Florentine history, and is the heart of the city. Alternately walk under shady arches and porticos through arcades that line the edges of another picturesque location, the Piazza Santissima Annunziata – little wonder then that this intimate square was the romantic setting for the costume drama A Room with A View.

Soak in the culture

As the birthplace of Italian Renaissance, Florence houses some of the best artistic treasures of the world. A must-see is Uffizi - the oldest museum in the Western World and is the home of all the great paintings of the Old Masters. Galleria dell’ Accademia is another place not to be missed as it houses one of the finest piece of art in the world, Michelangelo’s David. In the evening you can attend a concert, exhibit, or festival at the Stazione Leopolda, Florence’s first train station which has now become an outdoor event center. Or head for the Libreria Café La Cite, where nightly events include everything from artist exhibitions to Tango nights. Intimate theatres in Florence provide the perfect setting for an evening out with your loved one. Catch enchanting chamber music at Teatro Goldini near Pitta Palace, or opera under the stuccoes and balconies at the 17th century Teatro della Pergola. In fact you can combine this into a dinner and a show too - visit any of Florence’s delicious restaurants by the city center, and then head to the Anglican Church for an exquisite opera performance.

Explore the picturesque outdoors

Florence is nestled within the hillsides of the Italian region of Tuscany which is famous for its vineyards and olive orchards and thus make the perfect setting for romance, something the film Under the Tuscan Sun portrayed so well. Thus for your honeymoon you and your partner can book a wine tour through this region or better still stay for a few days in a chateau or villa in a Tuscan village. At the end of your stay be sure to raise a toast to your new life with any of the signature Tuscan wines like the Chianti and Chianti Classico or the much sweeter Vin Santo as a way of creating happy memories.

Another day you can stroll hand in hand through the Giardino dell’iris, which specializes in Florence’s flower, the Iris. Located close to the Pizalle Michaelangelo, make sure to visit the gardens before dinner to leave enough time to watch the sunset from the pizalle. Another ideal place for romancing your beloved are through manicured avenues past fountains and statues in the regal, hilltop Boboli Gardens of Pitti Palace, just south of the River Arno where you can stop for postcard panoramas of Florence’s terracotta rooftops. Other great outdoor ideas in Florence include picnic at the Parco delle Cascine after visiting the local market which is open Sunday and Tuesday mornings. alternately you can watch the sun set over Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo. finally you can truly indulge yourselves at the natural hot spas in the peaceful town of Montecatini between Florence and Pisa, about an hour’s drive away. Soak in the salty thermal swimming pool at the Tamerici or Torreta resort, or dip into a healing mud bath at Grocco spas.

Fine dining, Florentine style

Attend a mid-afternoon wine and cheese tasting in a Florentine wine bar, where you can sample the finest Tuscan wines and learn about the culinary history of the region. Restaurants in Florence are found in some of the most idyllic settings. Choose a trattoria and dine on rustic Tuscan dishes like Bistecca alla Fiorentina- A huge slab of high quality beef seared on the outside. Other must-try dishes in Florentine include Crostini a starter of small toasted pieces of bread with various as well as Gelato – while you can get amazing gelato anywhere in Italy, in Florence, this is experienced on a whole other level. Apart from unassuming trattorias, you and your beloved can dine at colorful bottegas and cantinas, many of which can be found Around Piazza della Signoria, the Piazza della Sante Croce and the Piazza San Lorenzo. If however you wish to escape the crowds and have Florence to yourself, then cross the river by the Ponte Vecchio and wander through the charming Oltrarno for picturesque eateries and fine dining restaurants. Gelato is not the only dessert Florence is famous for since Handmade chocolates here have been virtually elevated to a local art form. If you can plan your Florence honeymoon in January, you can sample the bitter-sweet cakes, artisan confectionary and chocolate tipples at the Chocolate Festival, Fiera del Cioccolato, in Santa Croce square.

Transport and accommodation

Most of the major tourist sites in Florence are within easy walking distance of each other. Walking is not only an easy way to get around, it also offers the chance to experience much more of the beautiful city. Another good way of getting around is a bike which can be hired at several points in the city and returned to the same place, one of the most convenient for tourists being the SMN station. However since traffic can be chaotic, it is best to have your wits about when you are riding a bike on the road.

If you have a mind to splurge on accommodation, you can check into luxury hotels like the historic Grand Hotel Baglioni which have hosted rulers, heads of state, artists, intellectuals and travelers the world over or stylish boutique hotels like J. K. Place which is the perfect juxtaposition of old world charm and modern sophistication. In case you wish to go for more economical options, you will probably have to stay outside of the historic center; big chain hotels are usually quite a distance from the centre, the Novotel for instance is almost at the airport. In the train station there is a tourist information office which also offers hotel reservations; you can often get good deals through them at the very last minute, but it's not guaranteed. For budget accommodation, there are quite a number of one or 2 star alberghi within a short distance of the station. Camping Michelangelo has a scenic location on the hillside close to Piazza Michelangelo – here you can avail "house tents", which are tents for two people with bunk beds inside. Though picturesque and economical, the site can get pretty crowded. You can also choose from a wide range of bed and breakfast options for your honeymoon accommodation, with varying prices and distances from the Florence city center.