Where to go if you are in couple in Italy

Summer in Italy is not only about the sea: our country offers magnificent mountain landscapes. The Alpine group of the Dolomites, which stretches across Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia, is a popular destination for nature lovers. Choosing these places means choosing a holiday to discover the wonders of the local flora and fauna.

Since 2009, the Dolomites have been recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Travellers can enjoy breathtaking views here: the limestone rocks, rich in dolomite (from which the mountains take their name) have a characteristic white colour. But the best spectacle is at dawn, especially at sunset, when the light colours the ridges pink and red. A vision to share with your significant other! Why not in a relaxing spa with a breathtaking view?

A holiday in Italy for couples deserves the settings that have framed our country’s most famous love stories. One of these is Lake Como in Lombardy, where Alessandro Manzoni set his famous 1827 novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed).

Those who prefer mountain destinations for their summer holidays will find everything they could wish for. A beautiful panorama plunges directly into Italy's deepest lake, surrounded by small, pretty villages and stately homes. You can spend a day on a boat, choosing from the proposed tours: a simple and pleasant way to get closer, together with your partner, to the most evocative views for a photo. But trekking lovers too will be satisfied with the Lake Como Greenway, a 10 km walk to discover landscapes, villages and local houses.

Where to go in Italy in summer with a special person and spend romantic days? Venice is part of the collective imagination as the city of lovers: a gondola ride through its canals with your other half is a memory you will both cherish forever.

After a ferry or vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, a visit to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a must for art lovers. This magnificent 16th-century building boasts one of the most beautiful decorations you'll find in the city, with frescoes by Tintoretto adorning its walls and ceilings. The famous Venetian artist worked on these paintings for almost 25 years, between 1564 and 1588.

Summer in Italy cannot do without its coastal resorts. And if you have chosen to spend your holidays in Liguria, you will certainly include Cinque Terre in your itinerary. This is the name used today to refer to a group of ancient fishing villages that stand directly on the rugged Ligurian coast.

The sight of the small colourful villages overlooking the sea, the coastal terraces on which the vines stand and the many fishing boats will turn back the clock. Enjoy the warmth of the sun and the scent of salt as you explore the Cinque Terre Protected Marine Area. And if the beauty of the view is not enough, you can have a romantic dinner while enjoying the specialities offered by the local trattorias.

Tuscany is for many the ideal destination for a romantic holiday. Excursions into the beautiful countryside alternate with visits to the capital city, Florence. Art and culture enthusiasts will be enchanted as they stroll through the city centre, which is full of historical sights and magnificent museums: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio are just some of the Renaissance city's most famous landmarks.

But if you are planning a romantic holiday, here are the stops not to be missed! The Boboli Gardens, which completes your visit to the Pitti Palace and was the inspiration for many other European gardens. Choose between two routes, "straight" and "zigzag", and enjoy the natural and artistic beauties that dot the park. Another essential stop on a trip for two is Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers breathtaking views over the city.

If your summer in Italy is all about romance, where could be more romantic than the Eternal City? A visit to the timeless beauty of Rome will help you and your other half create memories that are just as eternal! The first stop on a couple's trip is, of course, to toss a coin into the  Trevi Fountain, the setting for one of the most famous scenes in Italian cinema thanks to Maestro Federico Fellini.

For a walk hand in hand, why not choose the gardens of Villa Borghese? This green lung of the city offers you an intimate and private atmosphere. Discover the many paths, relax in the shade and admire the beauty of the park. From Baroque sculptures and fountains to centuries-old trees, neoclassical buildings and duck ponds, you'll have all the ingredients for a romantic getaway without leaving the city.

Where to go in Italy in summer if you want to admire a beauty similar to that of the tropics? Sardinia seems to have been created specifically to satisfy this need! Its magnificent beaches, crystal-clear waters and numerous natural parks make it the ideal destination for a holiday for two or, why not, a honeymoon.

If you dream of spending your holiday enjoying the sun and the scent of the sea, you will be spoilt for choice here: from Solanas to Cala Goloritzé, from Punta Molentis to Porto Giunco, you will find all the ingredients for a day of beauty and tranquillity. Those who like to add a bit of adventure to their holiday will enjoy exploring the La Maddalena archipelago, its islands, islets and wonders. Why not book a boat tour and discover the whole archipelago in just one day?

The Amalfi Coast is chosen every year by tourists from all over the world. Among the many wonders collected in this corner of Campania, Positano is particularly successful. This is due to its rich offer, made up of breathtaking views, cultural attractions, food and wine delicacies, sun, sea and, why not, shopping.

If you like to combine romance and adventure in your Italian summer, you won't want to miss out on the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods. This nature trail is about 9 km long and will allow you to admire a unique skyline and the charm of nature untouched by man. And if you think the name is suggestive, just wait until you lay your eyes on the view!

For many people, saying “summer in Italy” means “summer in Apulia”: this beautiful region in the south of Italy is perfect for a romantic getaway or honeymoon full of sun, sea and good food. The crystal-clear sea, beautiful beaches and many places of historical and cultural interest make Apulia a popular destination that never gets boring.

Among the stops not to be missed is the charming Alberobello, in the province of Bari. The town is known not only for its splendid seascape but also for its trulli. These characteristic limestone dwellings are built according to a technique known since prehistoric times and still used today. Thanks to its more than 1500 trulli, Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What better place to end our journey of discovery of Italy's most romantic summer destinations than Sicily? The island of Magna Graecia has become loved by travellers from all over the world for its beauty, hospitality and the delicacies of its cuisine.

Among the many places to visit in this beautiful region, don't forget Cefalù, included in the club of the most beautiful villages in Italy, on your trip for two. This town, one of the largest seaside resorts in the province of Palermo, is part of the Madonie natural park. In addition to the splendid sea, Cefalù offers a wealth of evocative places of historical interest, the result of the passage of numerous civilisations. A town that encompasses the pre-Hellenic and Roman, the Byzantine and the Medieval: add your story to the many told under the stars in this town!