As the closest major city to Tenuta di Artimino, Florence is the perfect place to explore before or after the wedding. It’s the heart of Tuscany and a must-visit for art, architecture, and culture lovers. Wander cobblestone streets, admire Renaissance masterpieces, and enjoy some of the best food and wine in Italy.

📍 Distance from Tenuta di Artimino:

Approximately 40 minutes by car or 25 minutes by train

Highlights: The Duomo & Baptistery, Uffizi Gallery & Michelangelo’s Statue of David, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo (sunset views!), Local markets like San Lorenzo for leather and souvenirs

✨ Tips: Florence is very walkable—bring comfortable shoes! Museums often require advance booking, especially during September. For excursions like wine tastings, cooking classes, or countryside tours, we highly recommend Monika Iris Experiences. This company has been used by one of Sabrina’s close friends and comes highly recommended—they handle all the planning and make the experience seamless.

A serene and luxurious destination, Lake Como is an ideal side trip if you’re extending your time in Italy.

📍 Distance from Tenuta di Artimino:

Approximately 4–5 hours by car or train (north toward the Lombardy region). We recommend making it an overnight or two-day visit if you have the time.

Highlights: Bellagio, Varenna, Villa Balbianello, lakeside dining, Como–Brunate Funicular

Side Trips: Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano (Switzerland)

✨ Tips: Ferries are the easiest and best way to explore villages. Book lake-view stays early. Lake Como is known for their fish-risotto (Risotto con Filetti di Pesce Persico) dishes - it is a must try! At restaurants, the bread appetizer is typically free of charge.

🚩 Tips: Narrow roads, difficult to drive but not as difficult as the Amalfi Coast. If you go slow and have a small car, it should be doable. It is easy to get scammed by non-authentic restaurants. You can identify non-authentic restaurants (or restaurants that try to cheap-out Americans) if there is a random person standing in the entrance cat-calling you to come into their restaurant OR if the restaurant has a lot of pictures on their menu. These are often restaurants located right on the coastline of Lake Como. Try restaurants like: NANDO Bellagio, Ristorante Barchetta, Martinez Cocktail & Food

A timeless city full of history, art, and energy, Rome is perfect for guests looking to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich cultural heritage. Italy’s capital is a must-visit for history lovers, packed with ancient ruins, vibrant piazzas, and world-class food.

📍 Distance from Tenuta di Artimino:

Roughly 1.5–2 hours by train or 3 hours by car. Ideal for a day trip or weekend getaway before or after the wedding.

Highlights: Colosseum & Roman Forum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere

Side Trips: Tivoli Gardens, Orvieto, Castel Gandolfo, Naples & Pompeii, Amalfi Coast

✨ Tips: Wear comfortable shoes, and buy skip-the-line tickets for major sites to save time. Try going to visit the Colosseum & Roman Forum at night, the lights are amazing!

🚩 Tips: We recommend avoiding driving into Rome. When Erik and Sabrina visited, parking was extremely limited and often far from centrally located hotels or Airbnbs. Thankfully, Rome is a very walkable city—many of its most iconic landmarks are within close distance of one another. The public transportation system is also reliable and easy to use, making it simple to get around the city and to and from the international airport.

With its dramatic coastline, pastel villages, and breathtaking views, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most beloved destinations—perfect for a post-wedding getaway or an extended vacation.

📍 Distance from Tenuta di Artimino:

Approximately 5–6 hours by car or train. We recommend spending at least 2–3 nights to soak it all in.

Highlights: Positano, Ravello, Amalfi Town, boat rides along the coast, the TikTok famous cooking class at La Tagliata Positano

🍝 La Tagliata Cooking Class

An authentic Italian experience at a family business started 40 years ago by mamma Dora and papà Luigi! Drink unlimited wine and lemoncello, dance, and sing! It is a non-traditional cooking class with very loud music, therefore children under the age of 15 are not allowed. Reservations recommended 6-12 months in advance.

🏖️ Positano

A postcard-perfect village with steep cliffside streets, boutique shopping, and beach clubs. Great for relaxing and scenic boat rides (see pic above of us in Positano!).

🚤 Boat Day

Erik and Sabrina did a private sunset boat tour in Positano with the company SeaLiving Positano for their engagement pictures! Highly recommend!

Side Trips: Capri (by ferry), Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento

✨ Tips: Travel light—many towns have steep stairs. Be prepared to do many flights of stairs. Book ferries and accommodations early in peak season. Our #1 Restaurant Recommendation for all of Italy: La Tagliata in Positano - looking for VERY authentic Italian food? Look no further. Yes, we understand it is a far drive, YES IT IS WORTH IT! Reservation recommended.

🚩 Tips: It is VERY difficult to drive on the Amalfi Coast - rent a smaller car and only drive if you are confident in confined, narrow spaces. We highly recommend having the smallest car possible, as it will be incredibly difficult to navigate a bigger car on this coast. Only rent a Vespa if you have driven one before.

For those craving nature and luxury, Switzerland is a serene escape. Explore Lucerne, Zurich (voted #3 most liveable city!), or Lake Geneva, or take a scenic train through the Swiss Alps. Expect breathtaking views, chocolate, cozy chalets, and spa-style relaxation.

📍 Travel time from Tenuta di Artimino: ~4–5 hours by train or ~1.5 hours by flight to Zurich or Geneva

Highlights: Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen, Mount Pilatus

Side Trips: Glacier Express, Bern, Lake Geneva

✨ Tips: Trains are scenic and efficient—consider a Swiss Rail Pass. Be prepared for higher prices than Italy. In Lucerne, take a gondola up to Mount Pilatus and explore the Swiss Alps, go back down the mountain on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world!

Elegant and full of history, Austria is a wonderful destination for classical architecture, music, and alpine charm. Explore the imperial city of Vienna (voted #2 most liveable city!) or venture to the storybook town of Salzburg. Expect cozy cafés, scenic countryside, and a relaxed pace.

📍 Travel Time: ~1.5 hours by flight from Florence to Vienna

Highlights: Vienna’s architecture, Salzburg’s music heritage, Austrian cafés

Side Trips: Hallstatt, Wachau wine region, Innsbruck

✨ Tips: Try local pastries, check museum schedules (some close Mondays), and plan for cooler temps in the mountains. Highly recommend the Sternbräu beer garden for food and drinks!

🚩 Tips: The bread or crackers on the table at restaurants are not free!