A Romantic Tuscany Honeymoon Under the Sun

Local laws may restrict service availability to all. See the Equality Index for more information.

---

When it comes to romantic getaways, not many places can top a Tuscany honeymoon. Rolling green hills dotted with perfectly preserved medieval towns. Cypress-lined lanes through vineyards and olive groves. Scenery this picturesque is begging to serve as a honeymoon backdrop.

A Tuscany honeymoon is one of the best honeymoon destinations for food- and wine-loving couples. This European destination will allow you to visit vineyards and take hands-on cooking classes, making it perfect for those who want to experience Italian cuisine and wine close to the source, says Amy Siegal, a New York City-based travel advisor with Valerie Wilson Travel.

It'll appeal to art lovers, too—fans of Renaissance art will relish Tuscany's many museums and iconic art, says Sridevi Chandra, founder of Storybook Getaways.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Ready for your romantic Italian adventure? We thought so.

Tuscany Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Tuscany
• Tuscany Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Places to Visit in Tuscany
• Best Tuscany Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Tuscany Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Tuscany Honeymoon

Photo: Peter Zelei Images | Getty

Best Time to Honeymoon in Tuscany

Tuscany is a year-round destination. That being said, the best time to visit is during the shoulder months, especially September–October and April–May, says Travis Dedmore, a trip designer with Reco. During those times, couples will experience pleasant weather with fewer crowds. In the late summer, expect heat, higher rates and larger crowds. If you go then, book a hotel with air-conditioning and a pool, Chandra suggests. Although winter means smaller crowds and lower rates, the downside is shorter days and less sightseeing time, she says.

For a honeymoon Tuscany enthusiasts will love, consider scheduling your trip around your interests and annual celebrations. Oenophile couples might want to come during harvest season, Siegal says, while truffle aficionados will want to visit in November for the San Miniato White Truffle Fair. In the spring, newlyweds can time their visit around the Maggio Musicale (May Music Festival) in Florence or the Prato Beer Festival in Prato, just 30 minutes outside of Florence. The summer months are rich in medieval festivals, such as Il Bravio delle Botti, a barrel-rolling race that's held in August in Montepulciano.

Best weather: April, May, September, October.
Festival highlights: The San Miniato White Truffle Fair, Maggio Musicale, Prato Beer Festival, Il Bravio delle Botti.

Tuscany Honeymoon Planning Tips

Medieval towns, charming villages, museums, vineyards, farms, quiet beaches—you can find them all here, Chandra says. Along with gorgeous scenery and historic sites, couples can experience top-notch cuisine and wine, plus photogenic and amenity-rich hotels and resorts. And newlyweds looking to relax after a busy wedding-planning period can kick back at thermal spas with mineral springs, Siegal says.

This Italian region offers breathtaking scenery plus stellar hotels and restaurants. For a balance of city and country, couples can spend their days sightseeing and shopping in Florence and their nights relaxing with a nightcap at their serene Tuscan hotel, say Kara Bebell and Harlan deBell, co-owners of The Travel Siblings.

Tuscany is also an ideal base from which to explore other areas, including Mediterranean honeymoon spots. Easy to access, newlyweds can fly directly into Rome from several US cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles, Chandra says. From Rome, they can take a local train to Florence, then hire a driver to take them to Tuscany or hop on a direct train to Siena. Alternatively, newlyweds can fly into Pisa or Florence.

Honeymooners who want to walk out of their hotel and be in the center of the action might not relish time in Tuscany, Bebell and deBell say. "The majority of the best, most luxurious Tuscan hotels are in the country," they say, adding that going on vineyard tours and dining out will involve quite a bit of travel time.

"While driving is always an option, the expense to rent a car and buy insurance and gas can become an unexpected budget suck," they say. "And the region of Tuscany, while beautiful, can be confusing for drivers who aren't used to the area. Many roads are long and winding without street markers."

Here are a few more things to keep in mind before buying plane tickets.

Entry requirements: A US passport that is valid for at least 3 months. Starting in 2025, US citizens will need to have an ETIAS for Italy. Once you get it, you can use it for 3 years.
Language: Italian.
Location: Central Italy, bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west.
Currency: The Euro (EUR).
Flight time to Destination: Direct flights from New York City to Florence (Tuscany's capital) can be around 9 hours.
Getting around: Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring the Tuscan countryside at your own pace. Many of the region's charming villages and wineries are more accessible by car. Public transportation options like trains and buses are available but may be less convenient for remote areas.

Pro tip: Enhance your vendor lineup by including a honeymoon planning specialist. Check out The Knot Marketplace for travel agents in your area who offer expert Tuscany honeymoon advice—along with client reviews and testimonials.

Places to Visit in Tuscany

Honeymooners should balance time in the Tuscan cities—Florence and Siena—with explorations of charming small towns and the bucolic countryside.

Photo: Michal Bednarek | Shutterstock

Florence

The capital of Tuscany, Florence is the ideal start to a Tuscan honeymoon itinerary, Siegal says. "Starting here gives visitors a sense of the country and region before they explore smaller towns," she explains.

Over two or three days, couples can visit its many museums, including The Uffizi Gallery (for iconic Renaissance art by da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Botticelli). Don't miss Michelangelo's "David" statue, as well as more contemporary draws, like top-flight shops and textbook-perfect gelato. For a boat tour reminiscent of Venice, step aboard a barchetto (gondola) that cruises the Arno River, suggests Chandra. Or, sip an aperitivo while passing underneath the famed Ponte Vecchio, an arched bridge built during the Middle Ages.

Siena

This quaint medieval city features gorgeous architecture and a piazza that rivals the major centers of Italy, say Bebell and deBell. Check out the Duomo, a Gothic cathedral with unforgettable fresco paintings. Try to time your visit around the Palio di Siena, a pageant-filled traditional horse race held in the city's iconic main square, Piazza del Campo, on July 2 and July 16 each year.

Cortona

Made more famous by Frances Mayes' bestselling book Under the Tuscan Sun, this town draws international visitors, expats and artists, say Bebell and deBell. With a small and manageable city center, it's home to a wealth of small restaurants and beautiful shops selling handcrafted jewelry, cashmere, pottery and more.

San Gimignano

This well-preserved medieval village, with tall towers and charming alleyways, is the quintessential Tuscan hill town. Spend an afternoon admiring the architecture.

Val d'Orcia

Since 2004, this area south of Siena has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Picture rolling hills dotted with castles, farmhouses, vineyards and fields of grain and sunflowers. Medieval villages in this area include Montalcino and Montepulciano, both acclaimed for their wine.

Lucca

Visiting Lucca feels like stepping foot in a fairy tale, say Bebell and deBell. The "storied and elegant Renaissance town" boasts a historic city center with cobblestone streets and cafes. Try to visit during the summer music festival.

Greve

This small town lies in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti region, acclaimed for its wine. Don't miss butcher-gourmet shop Antica Macelleria Falorni for fresh cured meats, cheeses and gelato, suggest Bebell and deBell.

Best Tuscany Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From luxurious villas and grand hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts, there are all kinds of accommodations to consider while honeymoon planning. Many properties offer special honeymoon packages that include romantic perks, so make sure to mention you're on your honeymoon before booking.

Photo: Pio3 | Shutterstock

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Located on one of the oldest estates in Tuscany, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in the Val d'Orcia region offers standard rooms or a private villa with its own pool and pool house. Couples can dine at one of the four restaurants, get a spa treatment at the wellness center, and experience a wine tasting at the on-site winery.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

The Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo are just a short walk away from this Four Seasons hotel in Florence, which features an 11-acre private park and a spa complete with an outdoor pool and a whirlpool.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Castello di Casole

For an aristocratic take on rural life, stay at this 4,200-acre property near Siena and San Gimignano. Set amidst rolling hills and olive groves, Castello di Casole is a 10th century estate that includes a pool and spa.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Borgo Santo Pietro

Borgo Santo Pietro is a secluded boutique hotel about 30 minutes from Siena. It features a farm, a vineyard, a spa and private gardens, along with an infinity pool that offers views over the Valle Serena.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Il Borro

Part of Relais & Chateaux, Il Borro sits between Florence, Siena and Cortona. Honeymooners can choose between suites and traditional farmhouses. With activities like wine tastings, truffle hunting, cooking classes, yoga, tennis and mountain biking, couples might find no reason to leave.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

COMO Castello Del Nero

Set on more than 700 acres, COMO Castello Del Nero is decorated with a mix of frescoes and modern touches. Newlyweds can take advantage of the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, La Torre, and the Shambala spa. Florence and Siena are just a short drive away.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Terme di Saturnia Hotel

Set amidst rolling hills in the Maremma region, Terme di Saturnia Hotel offers stylish accommodations, an 18-hole championship golf course, a spa, and mineral-rich thermal springs.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: For more private or affordable Tuscany honeymoon accommodations, consider renting a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

Tuscany Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Tuscany is the perfect place for romantic activities, including wine tasting tours in Chianti, hot air balloon rides over the Tuscan hills, and exploring the art and architecture of Florence. Here are a few ideas to kickstart your Tuscany honeymoon planning.

Photo: Ippei Naoi | Getty

Hunt for Truffles

"Truffle hunting is an ancient tradition in Tuscany," Chandra says. Book a Tuscany truffle tour to search for these pricey mushrooms, which grow singly or in clusters near the bases of trees.

Taste Olive Oil and Wine

Tuscany is renowned for its Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico red wines, say Bebell and deBell. Sample vino at small family-owned wineries and larger facilities with restaurants and bars. Many winemakers also grow olives and bottle their own olive oil, they add. Along with a wine tasting, book an olive oil tasting and pick up some bottles to ship home.

Take a Cooking Class

Participate in a cooking class and learn how to prepare Tuscan dishes, such as pappardelle cinghiale (pasta with wild boar ragu), panzanella (tomato and bread salad) and ribollita (bean and bread soup).

Go Shopping

Tuscany is filled with countless artisanal shops, say Bebell and deBell. While the town of Arezzo is known for gold jewelry, Scarperia is famed for its long history of making knives.

Get a Spa Treatment

Since the days of the Etruscans, Italians have soaked in hot springs known for their therapeutic thermal waters, Chandra says. The largest and best-known spa in Tuscany, Montecatini Terme, is located between Lucca and Florence.

Head to the Beach

"Tuscany isn't particularly known for beaches, but the small seaside city of Viareggio changes that notion," say Bebell and deBell. "Honeymooners can take a day trip there, rent a chair or cabana, and relax on the public beaches."

While Dedmore recommends the beach towns of Piombino and Portoferraio, Chandra suggests Maremma, a coastal area bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. "It features a variety of territory, including blue sea, long beaches, black rock, hills covered with woods, marshes, flat lands, green hills and natural thermal baths," she says.

Pro tip: Consider adding Tuscany honeymoon experiences to your gift registry for loved ones to choose from, ensuring memorable moments for the two of you. Share photos of these experiences on your wedding website so that all your guests, including those who don't use social media, can stay updated.

What to Pack for a Tuscany Honeymoon

Catarina Belova/Shutterstock

When it comes to making a packing checklist for your honeymoon in Tuscany, "This isn't a destination for heels or delicate footwear," say Bebell and deBell. "Exploring Tuscan hill towns, vineyards and estates can take a toll on your feet. Pack comfortable walking shoes or European-chic sneakers."

For attire, they recommend taking a page from the Italians' style book and packing fashionable sunglasses and basics like button-down tops, quality T-shirts and sweaters for layering. For cool nights dining outdoors and traveling from the airport to the hotel, they suggest bringing a pashmina or cozy cashmere throw in your honeymoon luggage.

"Shoppers, you've been warned," they add. "Pack a collapsible duffel to bring back your treasures, and don't forget a bottle protector for any wine purchases."

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.