Curator’s statement
Italy is the epitome of romance. Imagine soaking in views of Lake Como on your balcony, hearing the Italian language all around you as you walk through the narrow streets of Cinque Terre, or sipping local wine as the sunsets. What could be more romantic? It's a popular honeymoon destination for a reason. We did our honeymoon here and I could not recommend it more. Italy is a large and diverse country with so much to offer. With only two weeks, I recommend focusing on one part of the country. This travel guide is a two week Northern Italy honeymoon that focuses on Lake Como, Florence, Tuscany, and the Ligurian Coast (with flights in and out of Milan)!
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Where to stay in Northern Italy
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Things to do in Northern Italy
Lake Como:
Town-hop around central Lake Como (via ferry): There's a ferry that runs throughout the day between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. I recommend spending a day exploring the lake on the ferry. It's a great way to see a few towns in one day and better to see them from the sea. There's also plenty to do in each of the three towns, so you can easily make a full day of exploring. If you're looking for something more intimate, like a sunset boat ride for two -- let me help you book that for you!
Visit an iconic villa on Lake Como: You might not get to see George Clooney's, but there are so many iconic villas that surround Lake Como. I recommend an afternoon exploring Villa Monastero in Varenna. It's centrally located and offers a variety of pass types depending on your interest. At the very least you have to walk around the gardens.
Tuscany:
Wine tasting in Chianti: A must while you're in Tuscany is to taste wine. There are many areas within Tuscany to choose from. I recommend choosing one region to focus on -- Chianti is a classic option. There are many wineries in the area. A couple you could consider are Badia a Coltibuono. You might also want to consider staying for dinner in the garden here. Also consider Le Miccine a small organic winery just minutes away from Badia a Coltibuono.
Florence:
Walking Tour in Florence: What better way to learn about the city of Florence than to participate in a walking tour. We love doing this at the beginning of one of our destinations. It helps orient us to the city and gives us an idea of what we would like to do next. There are many types of walking tours you can choose from -- I'm happy to help you!
Visit the Accademia for the Statue of David: Whether you're a history/art buff or not, I would recommend visiting at least the Accademia. This is where the iconic Statue of David is housed. After your walking tour of the city you'll learn a lot more about the importance of David.
Visit a "wine window" in Florence: Babae is a great option. If you didn't know, wine windows were created hundred of years ago in Florence as a way for families to sell wine through a little window (or a hole in the wall) without having to pay taxes as a business. With COVID they started coming back!
Ligurian Coast:
Visit the Cinque Terre: Cinque Terre (or the five lands) are five seaside villages nestled into the rocky coast of the Ocean. You can get between each of the five towns by train or if you're looking for a more adventurous day, you can hike between them (the views are astonishing and well worth the workout!).
Eat pesto in Liguria: the region of Cinque Terre and Portofino is known for its pesto. These were probably some of my favorite meals on our whole trip. And what's more romantic than eating some homemade pasta with pesto and a local glass of white wine, while taking in the views of the rocky cliffs over the Ligurian sea.
Places to eat & drink in Northern Italy
Lake Como:
Hotel Il Perlo in Bellagio has a restaurant on a huge terrace sitting high up over Lake Como. The views are unmatched! The views alone are well worth a dinner here (don't forget to make reservations!). If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider coming for an aperitivo or pre-dinner drink to enjoy the terrace and views.
Tuscany:
Badia a Coltibuono Restaurant - If you were here for wine tasting, I recommend staying for dinner in the garden. The food is amazing and the ambiance is some of the most romantic you will find! Imagine sitting with your (new) spouse under dim lighting and the stars, in a quiet garden where only a few other people embracing these moments with you
Le Miccine wine tastings. Do some wine tasting with this small, family-run organic winery. You can add a tour on to your experience, learn about the different wines as you taste them, and interact with the friendly staff in a relaxing and approachable environment.
Florence:
All'Antico Vinaio in Florence for some of the most well-known focaccia sandwiches. Florence is known for its focaccia and this restaurant is a great place to grab some lunch. Don't let long lines deter you. The lines move fast, the staff are efficient, and you will quickly have a sandwich in hand with a glass of rose to enjoy casually while you people-watch.
Babae for a wine window experience. More and more people are catching on to this. You should check out the website to see what hours the window is open. It's usually a couple of hours late afternoon. There might be a line, but it's worth it for the experience. You'll get to order a glass of wine through a little window (like they used to do 100's of years ago!) and then sip it in the street.
Experience a rooftop in Florence: There are so many options you have to choose from in Florence. But Florence is known for their rooftops -- so it's definitely a great addition to your two-week Northern Italy honeymoon.
Corniglia, Cinque Terre:
Our favorite restaurant in Cinque Terre was in Corniglia (up many many stairs) at Cecio Ristorante. The food was all homemade right then and there (even the pesto!!), the staff were some of the friendliest we've ever met. We felt like we made new friends! I recommend making a reservation so you can request a table by the balcony with uninterrupted views.
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Travel Advisor
Hannah Giles
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Scott Ritter’s guide, Best Places to Visit in Northern Italy.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Italy.