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Stonebridge Travel Consulting helps busy professionals have the freedom to live wholly in the moment by designing personalized travel experiences tailored around what ignites their passions and fills their heart with wonder. I believe travel connects you to the world around you. And a real connection means tapping into the very thing that transcends all borders and divisions: the shared essence of our humanity. It's not behind a screen... it's out there. Our San Francisco based travel blogs help locals to explore the newest locations and vacation trends!

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When Should You Honeymoon In Italy? (A Luxury Travel Guide)

Travel Tips

February 13, 2023

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Italy can be a stunning country to visit at any time of the year. Knowing where to go and when to go, however, is very important. There are a few seasonal faux-pas to travel by in Italy, and it’s best not to ignore them. That is if you want to sample the best of what the country has to offer. 

For instance, you can’t expect to dive into the warm(ish) embrace of Lake Como any time after early Fall. You go to places like the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily for that. The same can be said for avoiding the swarms of tourists that overrun Venice during the peak summer months.

We don’t want to ward you off your Italian honeymoon, because we believe it’s the best decision that you have made this side of getting hitched. We just want you to enjoy Italy to its full potential, and getting your timing right is a great place to start.

What Is The Best Season To Honeymoon In Italy?

Italy benefits from a Mediterranean climate. This means their summers are hot, dry, and full of sunshine. Winters can get chilly (depending on where you are) with spells of rain a common occurrence. Italy benefits from predictable seasons and, depending on who you ask, there are varying opinions as to which is best. 

If you’ve ever scoped Italy out on a map you might have noticed two of its defining influences? One; Its southern peninsula is in the shape of a boot (something Italian soccer fans love to point out). Two; although not very wide, Italy is a long old country – 736 miles to be exact. 

The thing to realize here, therefore, is that Italy’s climate differs significantly from region to region. A winter in Naples is a far cry from a winter in the Dolomites, and the same can be said for summers. Each region has its pros and cons in any given season, and we’re about to debunk the myths and deliver the facts on Italy’s prime travel times. 

Spring In Italy (March-May)

Italians and travelers alike often say that Spring is their favorite time of year in Italy. The weather is on the up, the wildflowers are in bloom, and the vintage wines are being released for your soon-to-be-sipping pleasure. Known as a “shoulder season”, spring, quite attractively, misses out on the swarming tourists that Italy is subject to every summer. 

This makes spring a supreme time to honeymoon in Italy as you’ll have fewer tourists in your way and more time to yourselves. Southern Italy in the springtime is a delightful place to honeymoon. Why? Because the mercury rises faster down there. Often the south will be treated to temperatures in the 68°F range by the time that April rolls around. It is very pleasant indeed. 

If the fresh Alpine air and scenic views of the north are calling, you will find an even quieter version of Italy in spring. Anywhere north of Milan will be particularly tranquil in the months of March, April and May. What’s more, because it’s off-season, you will find some great deals on luxury hotels worthy of your honeymoon. 

Summer In Italy (June-August)

Make no mistake, summer in Italy is hot and it’s busy. The intense heat means many locals will take a self-appointed summer sabbatical and it’s holiday time. Families from every corner of Europe and the world have got their sights set on the Italian seaside. That being said, there are ways to avoid the worst of the summer heat and crowds. 

One way to avoid the heat is to make tracks for the north of the country. Book yourselves into a private villa perched on a hill that surrounds one of Italy’s northern lakes and you will quickly forget about the chaos ensuing somewhere else.

At the foothills of the Italian Alps, lakes like Como, Garda, and Maggiore are fine examples of just how beautiful this part of the world truly is. Air temperatures rarely peak above 75°F even in the height of summer here. You can, subsequently, participate in activities like hiking, cycling, and watersports comfortably (without fear of overheating).

If you won’t settle for anything less than a daily dip in the Meditteranean on your summertime honeymoon, expect to pay exceedingly high prices for the pleasure. Avoid the big tourist destinations of Amalfi and Cinque Terre and seek out lesser-known gems like Calabria and Puglia if you want to at least avoid the masses. 

Fall In Italy (September-November)

Much like spring, fall is a clever time of year to honeymoon in Italy. Okay, maybe the first two weeks of September will still be busy at tourist hotspots like Venice. But, as September rolls on the crowds really start to thin out.

Fall is also wine harvest time, which makes a Tuscan honeymoon something to consider. The Tuscan countryside is rife with plump grapes ripe for the picking, and many of the towns and cities put on lively wine-fuelled festivals to celebrate.

The capital of Tuscany is Florence and the city is a particularly good place to honeymoon in the fall. Known for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is a beautiful place to base yourselves while dabbling in the sights, smells, and tastes of Tuscan wine country. 

One thing to consider in the fall is that much of Italy will lose its warmer edge by late October as many regions see temperatures drop well below 60°F. While this equates to even fewer crowds it does mean variable weather is on the cards.

What we would consider a “honeymoon homerun” is the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October. The sea is warm, the weather is warm (mostly) and the tourists are few. Go to Italy in this golden period and you’ll have your hand in the honeypot all honeymoon long. 

Winter (December-February)

Winter is very much the “tourist off-season” in Italy, and for good reason. Even down in the south, temperatures will rarely exceed 60°F. One thing southern Italy does have going for itself in winter is the sun. Although there are nowhere near as many sunny days as the summer months, it is a far cry from what’s going on in the northern regions of the country. 

The north of Italy gets cold in the wintertime, like really cold. Below freezing temperatures are common in the mountainous Dolomite and Valle d’Aosta regions. One thing this does entail is snow and lots of it. Keen skiing couples rejoice.

Could there be a more romantic honeymoon than staying in a private ski-in/ski-out chalet surrounded by snow (Italian snow)? Throw in a balcony jacuzzi subject to sweeping valley views and that is a romantic time by anyone’s standards. 

If you’re bona fide culture vultures who would love nothing more than to visit countless museums and galleries while honeymooning, winter is the ideal time of year for this. Why? Because you’re indoors anyway and views of masterpieces like David of Michaelangelo will be unimpeded.

Also, Italian cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan are known for creating their own wintery magic that can be oh-so-romantic when in a honeymoon mood.

Conclusion

So there you have it. You now have a grasp on Italy’s seasons and how they translate to your future honeymoon plans. We aren’t going to sit here and say which season is the best, because there is no such season. 

Maybe you would like to live out your Italian Alpine dreams skiing until your loved-up hearts are content. Maybe plunging into the summertime Mediterranean and getting a killer tan to prove it is your digs. Your intentions are your intentions, the main point to consider is that you’ve decided to honeymoon in Italy. And that is a very good thing. 

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Stonebridge Travel Consulting helps busy professionals have the freedom to live wholly in the moment by designing personalized travel experiences tailored around what ignites their passions and fills their heart with wonder. I believe travel connects you to the world around you. And a real connection means tapping into the very thing that transcends all borders and divisions: the shared essence of our humanity. It's not behind a screen... it's out there. Our San Francisco based travel blogs help locals to explore the newest locations and vacation trends!

I'm camille

Hey!