Italy is one of the single greatest repositories of sensorial pleasures on earth. From art to food, from stunning and varied countryside to flamboyant fashion, Italy has it all. This is the country that brought us Slow Food, devoted to the promotion of fresh products and fine traditional, cooking. What started as a local protest against fast food has become a worldwide movement. With 44 sites, Italy has more Unesco World Heritage sites than any other country on earth. Its great città d’arte (cities of art), like Rome, Venice and Florence, have been attracting visitors for centuries, and with good reason. At times, it seems like the country rests on its artistic laurels. This is not entirely true. Milan, the country’s financial hub, has created one ofEurope’s biggest and most modern trade fairs and is planning a major residential development, the CityLife complex, in the heart of the city. Venice is possibly the city that has, in appearance, changed least down the decades but it has recently opened a sleek new bridge over the Grand Canal and a spectacular contemporary art space at the Punta della Dogana.
Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world and is a top romantic vacation destination. Italy's picturesque seaside villages, beautiful countryside, and historic cities are filled with romantic settings, views, hotels, and restaurants. Here are the top Italian cities, villages, lakes, and islands for romance. Costa, Esmeralda, Spoleto, Bellagio, Capri, Ravello and Taormina are among the most romantic getaways in Itlay.
Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Italy with winding canals, gondolas, and narrow streets for losing yourselves together. Besides the spectacular Piazza San Marco and cathedral, there are many small picturesque squares and churches. Venice has many romantic restaurants and cafes where you can linger. Venice is Italy's top destination for Carnevale festivals. Lake Como, ringed with beautiful villas and resort villages, has long been a romantic travel destination. Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, is one of the most romantic villages. Surrounded by hills and mountains, Lake Como is in the Italian Lakes District near Switzerland. For a romantic view of the lake and alps, take the funicular from Como town to the village of Brunate. If you prefer smaller, more intimate towns on the coast try the Gulf of Poets, Golfo dei Poeti, popular in the past with romantic poets like Byron and Shelley. Even in summer you won't find big tourist crowds. Nearby is the famous Cinque Terre, romantic at night but usually overrun with tourists during the day.
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Wandering hand-in-hand along the narrow streets of Venice, pausing to see the sunlight dance on the water of a Roman fountain, watching the sun set over the terracotta rooftops of Florence -- romance comes cheap in Italy. It is the luxury that costs. But Italy offers a variety of romantic getaways to fit any budget and adding the romance in a country with so many romantic sights can be as easy as sipping a glass of chilled prosecco on a terrace in Capri.
