I got married in Italy last year, so I can completely appreciate the appeal of escaping to this romantic wonderland for a post-wedding mini-moon. Italy is the essence of beauty, indulgence and romance. All of the things one needs after the whirl-wind and excitement of your big day! Plus, with arguably the best food and wine around, what better place to say goodbye to that boring ‘pre-wedding diet’, and feast on all the very best things in life… Yes, you can eat ALL the cheese.
Of course, many people chose Italy as their main honeymoon destination too. It is a popular choice for those seeking a stylish, sun-drenched escape. However, given the close proximity to the UK, and frequent, low-cost flights, this also makes it a great option for a short-break. It seems that there is a growing trend for those taking a mini-moon immediately after a wedding, giving couples the chance to recharge and celebrate straight-away. Whilst also, alleviating some of the pressure to plan and pay for (*gulp) a mega honeymoon straight after your wedding day. And, you get two celebratory trips instead of one – win win?!
Whether you’re looking to take a couple of days to a week, Italy is the perfect back-drop to begin your new lives as husband and wife. We work with a number of luxury boutique hotels in the most stunning locations throughout the country, which offer an ideal setting for you to put up your newly-wed feet!
Depending on what kind of trip you and your partner are looking for, we have put together some mini-moon inspiration to excite the wanderlust within:
For LOVERS… of Food & Wine
PIEDMONT
Fly into either Turin or Milan airport and explore the UNESCO-protected hills of the Langhe. This food and wine paradise, glitters with Michelin-stars, making this a great place to treat yourselves to some seriously fine dining and gourmet meals. Among its many delicious offspring, Piedmont is best known for being home to the white truffle, Barolo/Barbaresco wine varieties and Nutella. This region also gave birth to the ‘Slow Food Movement’, so you should be prepared to get out of life’s fast lane and relax into the Italian way of life. And, all this tastiness is set within some of the most beautiful countryside; swathes of vineyards, medieval fairy tale villages and the dramatic panorama of the Alps. For a discreet and boutique stay, we especially love La Villa in Mombaruzzo, which has a beautifully secluded spot and 5-star service. This is a top-pick for couples looking for pure romance and luxury, in slightly off-the-tourist-track location.
For a very special meal to celebrate the occasion, try the world-famous Piazza Duoma in Alba. With three Michelin-Stars, this restaurant is a bucket-list kind of experience, and what better excuse to push the boat out than on your mini-moon in Italy?! Or, visit in combination or separately, the serene Lake Maggiore for a tranquil waterfront break.
Glittering Italian Riviera
LIGURIA
If you’ve been thinking about mini-mooning on the Amalfi coast, but the price is making you balk, then our top-tip is head to the glittering azure coastline of Liguria instead. This stunning crescent shaped gem, curves between the Côte d’Azur and Tuscany, and is sprinkled with quirky and colourful fishing villages. Otherwise known as the ‘Italian Riviera’, you’ll no doubt have heard of the Cinque Terre (a popular celeb hangout), but there are many other equally gorgeous (and less busy/expensive) neighbourhoods around. We especially love Alassio, Santa Margarita and Sestri Levante. We recommend exploring the other glamorous seaside villages by train, as this is the best way to get around. Or, for nature lovers, definitely take hike in the lush national park.
If the sound of craggy cliffs, pastel-coloured seaside villages, flowers in abundance, turquoise waters, lush greenery, luxury resorts and a world-class restaurant scene appeals – look no further! Our Luxury Liguria Honeymoon can be easily adapted to meet your mini-moon requirements.
Our absolute fav hotel for a special romantic occasion is Villa Della Pergola. We promise, with views like these, sumptuous interiors, service with a smile and an INCREDIBLE restaurant, you won’t be disappointed. I only wish I had known about it when we planned our mini-moon in Italy! But, there is always anniversaries… *nudge nudge, wink wink
Off-The-Beaten Track
EMILIA-ROMAGNA
This is certainly the foodie mecca of Italy. And rightly so! Most iconic for being home to balsamic vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Oh, and did we mention, it also boats one of the best restaurants in the WORLD? Meet Osteria Francescana, a taste-sensation, dazzling with Michelin-Stars. Hop between these three unique cities (Bologna, Modena & Parma) to get a real flavour for this delicious part of north-west Italy. We love travelling by train here, as it’s efficient, cheap and means that you can enjoy the wonderful wine along the way! Easily accessed by frequent flights into Bologna, this is a convenient option too.
When you’re not exploring the food markets, historic sights and cute little watering-holes, you might enjoy an interactive couples experience such as a cooking class, under the guidance of an expert chef! We love combining a E-R mini-moon between a trendy city hotel and a rural retreat and spa, so that you get to experience the best of both words. If you’re other half is a bit of a petrol head, then you could always surprise them with a VIP Ferrari driving experience (this is the birthplace after-all). It’s a tick off the bucket-list and something to make the trip extra memorable. Slow food and fast cars await you…
Sun-Kissed Luxury
PUGLIA
If it’s good enough for Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, then it’s good enough for us! This gorgeous pair tied the knot at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort, located in this sunny heel of Italy. There is no shortage of stunning hotels perfectly set-up for an adults-only escape. This is also a great option for couples wanting good weather, beach time and fresh seafood. This part of Italy does feel quite different from others, with endless white-washed hilltop towns and villages, sandy beaches, scorched olive groves and traditional trulli buildings. Some of our favourite unique properties for ultimate romance include; Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita (which is actually in Basilicata!), Masseria Torre Maizza and Canne Bianche. Depending on how long you’ve got, we think it’s lovely to combine a town/city hotel with a more rural location, as this creates a lovely balance. For something a little more intimate, why not spend a couple of nights in a cute little trulli, or rent your own dinky villa for two in the Puglia countryside! Depending on how much you feel like doing, we can arrange all sorts of activities to suit a wide range of interests. We’ve got tons of foodie experiences, wine tasting galore, hiking, e-biking, horse-riding, spa and beach-club cabañas with your names on them!
For a wow-factor dinner (with a mega view), Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare is pretty spectacular. We recommend booking in advance to secure a table and avoid disappointment.
As you can probably tell, we are pretty besotted with Italy and love sharing it with our clients! But these are only some ideas to help inspire you, we would of course work together on a bespoke basis to create the most perfect trip.
There is something so special about experiencing fairy tale Italy in that glorious post-wedding haze, when you can fully lean into the Italian ‘slow’ way of life. As they say in Italy – ‘dolce far niente’, a.k.a., ‘the art of doing nothing’ – which is a pretty dreamy idea, especially after all that wedding excitement.
I’ve been Italy obsessed for about as long as I can remember, and I feel very lucky that I now get to call this my job! Working alongside my close friends Jessie and Francesca, we are committed to sharing the magic of Italy with you too. So, drop us an email, if you’d like to start planning your special tailor-made trip.
Ciao,
Jess x
Written by Jess Hilton
Top Travel Tip
“When in rural Italy, find a restaurant where they don’t speak english or have an english menu. I would go so far as to say that it will be the best meal you’ll have on your trip!” – Jess Hilton, Marketing Manager and Italy Enthusiast
