The ultimate Italian honeymoon destinations for all you romantics out there

Incredible food, breath-taking views, and wine flowing like water; Italy is quite simply a lover’s paradise. Need a few tips on where to whisk bae off to next holiday? Why not check out these hotels: the perfect spots for honeymooners and lovers alike. Who said romance was dead?

Masseria Il Frantoio

Looking for the most peaceful place on Earth? Stop already – we’ve found it. Resting on the outskirts of Ostuni, this stunning hotel is also a working organic farm, surrounded by thousand-year-old olive trees and beautiful Puglian countryside. Producing 15 different types of olive, 70 wild herbs and a host of fruits and vegetables, Il Frantoio clearly cares about food and sustainability; even offering guests the chance to adopt an olive tree. The friendly, family tone of the hotel is instantly apparent, with the owners happy to give you a guided tour of the grounds in their vintage 1949 Fiat, or suggest what fruit to pair with your absinth (it’s pomegranate btw). Not sold yet? Il Frantoio’s 8 course menu, using local and home-grown ingredients, will leave you in the most satisfying food coma you’ve ever experienced.

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita

How about a completely unique hotel experience? Perhaps a stone-floored, candlelit cave in the heart of Matera, a city that was abandoned for over 30 years, but is now thriving. At Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, ancient cave dwellings have been transformed into hotel rooms, offering a comfortable stay, while maintaining their historical authenticity. The hotel is certainly a unique getaway, with no TVs, no carpets, and not even doors inside the room (but don’t worry, there is WIFI!). With a deconsecrated church acting as a stunning breakfast room, you can feel the history as you devour an endless breakfast selection, including local cakes and pies. The views from the hotel are spectacular, and the city centre is only a few minutes’ walk away. The city also features in the upcoming Bond film, No Time To Die, proving that even 007 himself has Matera on his getaway list!

Palazzo Pascal

Sometimes on honeymoon you just want a bit of luxury. A place where you feel you’re being taken care of. A place where you can enjoy prosecco with your breakfast every morning. Enter Palazzo Pascal, a stunning 5-star boutique hotel sitting atop the Amalfi Coast cliffs. Based in Scala, the oldest of the Amalfi Coast towns, this diffused hotel is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the other nearby tourist locations, offering you a peaceful retreat from which to admire the jaw-dropping views. With a signature ceramic design dotted around the hotel, Palazzo Pascal’s attention to detail is immense. Gli Ulivi, an excellent on-site restaurant, is also available for all your foodie needs, so why not dine in style, watching the sunset over the Amalfi Coast cliffs. And for dessert? How about an intimate selection of Honeymoon cakes, cooked by on the on-site chef? Yes, please.

La Bandita Townhouse

It’s not always easy to blend old with new, but La Bandita Townhouse, a charming hotel nestled in the centre of Pienza, absolutely nails it. Originally a nunnery, you can feel the hotel’s exquisite medieval roots (a 15th century marble altar in your room, anyone?), which are then perfectly balanced by modern, chic elements. Run by former music exec John Voigtmann, La Bandita Townhouse has cultivated an inviting, sociable atmosphere, with daily evening prosecco offering a chance to share stories with other guests, and a restaurant with an open kitchen where you can watch the chef preparing your food. Walk a few minutes from La Bandita and you’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful Tuscan hills, as if you’ve wandered straight into a painting. If there was ever a place that could convince you to give up the city life and follow in John’s footsteps by disappearing into the Tuscan Countryside, La Bandita Townhouse is it.

Agriturismo Borgo Castelvecchi

It would be rude to travel through Italy and not visit the infamous Chianti wine region, and what better than a place that produces its own? In fact, Borgo Castelvecchi has the oldest known wine production cellar in Chianti, as well as vineyards as far as the eye can see. With gorgeous sunsets and star-filled skies, there’s never been a more romantic backdrop to share a bottle or two. Or three. Or four. You get the gist. The rooms are located within a striking old house, with high ceilings and fascinating paintings, that feels straight off a film set. With a fantastic on-site restaurant, wine-tasting opportunities within its famous cellar, and a well-kept outdoor pool, Borgo Castelvecchi is a picturesque jewel, sat atop a hill that overlooks endless miles of Tuscan countryside.

Hotel Corona d’Oro

Bologna is known as ‘La Grassa’, which means ‘The Fat One’, and you can probably guess why. A food-lover’s dream, the city centre is packed with incredible restaurants, bustling shops, and vibrant markets. A few minutes’ walk from the city centre is Corona d’Oro; a beautiful 4-star hotel, and the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s eating. There is an elegance about Corona that is instantly noticeable, from the stunning glass dome above its bar, to the marble-framed bath tubs in the rooms. Music automatically plays the moment you enter your room, and the friendly, helpful staff are ready and poised to open a bottle of prosecco for you at any hour of the day. And just in case you hadn’t completely filled up your belly the night before, the breakfasts have possibly the largest selection of food you’ll ever find.

Villa Sostaga Boutique Hotel

A beautiful, hidden gem perched high above Lake Garda, Villa Sostaga is an elegant boutique hotel with a pool, hot tub, and a panoramic view to die for. The spacious grounds create a sense of privacy, while the walks to nearby towns offer an impressive taste of nature, framed by mountain and lake every step of the way. With a cosy (and dog-friendly) lounge and an open-air breakfast, the hotel exudes quality, from its immaculately decorated rooms through to its friendly, attentive staff. The on-site restaurant is exceptional, including a set menu using fish from the lake below, and an extensive (56 pages!) wine list. If you were looking for a romantic getaway, you can’t do much better than watching the sunset over this stunning lake, with some local Garda wine. Oh, and did we mentioned it’s dog-friendly?!

By Ian Jones