Italy: Romance and History Go Hand-in-Hand
Italy was made for romance. The architecture, the art, the food, the fashion -- they all reflect the passion and the joy with which Italians live their lives. Italy's fall weather is perfect (74 degrees is the average daytime temp in October) and tourists are more scarce than in the summer, making an urban honeymoon all the more enjoyable. In Venice, Florence, and Rome, you'll be knee-deep in history and culture. These cities feature the best Italy has to offer, and whether it's a ride in a gondola, a sunset picnic, or a stroll down the Spanish Steps, you'll love the experience all the more with your new hubby by your side. — Carrie Campbell
Venice
The best thing you can do in Venice is get lost. It's a city made for strolling, so step out of the hotel and wander. You can't get too lost, after all -- Venice is an island. The Grand Canal has only four bridges, but at certain points along the canal you can hire a cheap traghetto (passenger gondola) to cross the stretch of water, saving a great deal of time. St. Mark's Square is the hub of the city, and St. Mark's Cathedral is a must-see, but you'll pay double if you choose to sip bellinis al fresco in the square. Instead, head off the beaten path to one of many small, family-owned restaurants that cater to locals. You'll know you've found one if the menu isn't in English! Nightlife in Venice is tame; spend the evening sipping wine on the waterfront at Hotel Principe (from $266 per night; hotelprin cipevenice.it), a four-star hotel in a great spot on the Grand Canal. Pay extra to reserve a room on the canal side -- it's quieter than the street side and the view is well worth it.
Florence
Florence is a modern, bustling city with stunning Renaissance architecture, including the famous duomo (dome) at the Cathedral de Santa Maria del Fiore. Check in to the nearby antique-meets-modern Hotel Albani (from $229 per night; hotelalbani.it/firenze). It's within walking distance of all the sights, including the Uffizi Gallery, a sixteenth-century palazzo that houses the most extensive collection of Renaissance art in the world. Book tickets online before you go, or risk standing in a very long line (uffizi.com). If you're up for a hike, the view of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan hills is breathtaking from the Piazzale Michelangiolo. Couples flock here on warm evenings, so take a picnic, sit on the steps, and watch the sun as it glows on the city's terra cotta tile roofs.
Rome
History buff or not, you'll need a few days to explore the Eternal City. Stay in the heart of the city near the Spanish Steps at the inti- mate Hotel Scalinata di Spagna (from $230 per night; hotelscalinata.com). The hotel's roof garden affords a sweeping view of the dome of St. Peter's, across the Tiber River, and the best shop- ping Rome has to offer is just steps from the front door. Make the requisite trips to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain (take advantage of a three-day pass for Rome's subway system for about $13 -- your feet will thank you), but don't miss the jaw-dropping opulence at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Wrap up your honeymoon by splurging on dinner or at least a Negroni -- made with Campari, vermouth, and gin -- at the sumptuous Le Grand Bar at St. Regis Grand Hotel (from $488 per night; starwoodhotels.com/stregis).
Getting There
Travelers can now catch nonstop flights to Rome from Charlotte via US Airways (about $900 per person). Save a ton of money by booking a round-trip flight to Rome and taking a high-speed train through the Tuscan countryside to begin your tour in Venice ($75-$100 per person). The Hotel Principe is an easy walk (even with luggage) from the Venezia St. Lucia train station in Venice.
