3 Italian venues for romantic weddings and honeymoons
With these spectacular hideaways in Italy, you really will be living la dolce vita
Honeymoon hideaway
For romantic settings and jaw-dropping views, these three properties all offer the perfect getaway. If you’re planning a small Italian wedding, invite your closest friends and family to share the experience and enjoy a celebration you’ll never forget.
The 11th Century castle, Umbria
Perched on a stunning hilltop overlooking the Tiber Valley, this ancient castle and 1,000-year-old frescoed chapel has breath-taking views across rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Best of all, it has been meticulously renovated to create an idyllic spot for an unforgettable honeymoon or to host weddings and private events.
This tranquil getaway combines historic architecture with a picturesque location, not to mention a private infinity pool with panoramic views. There are poolside loungers so that you can relax and take in the setting, and romantic couple’s dining tables in the gardens for al fresco dining, plus a family-size dining space seating ten.
If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful landscape, the villa’s interior is equally impressive. Spacious living and dining areas offer a balance of contemporary comfort and traditional architecture: wooden beams stretch the length of the ceiling, while tiled floors teamed with natural stone walls ensure cool temperatures even during the summer. There’s a plush couch for chilling out and a 12-seater dining table for sharing great memories.
Where better to create those memories than in the sleek, modern kitchen which will inspire you to turn wonderful local ingredients into delicious masterpieces. And when it’s time to get some beauty sleep, ten super king bedrooms are spread across the main house and renovated annexe, each paired with a private marble bathroom.
Go there: Features 10 bedrooms and sleeps 20 guests. From EUR 650 to 990 per night. For more information visit www.stayonedegree.com or get in touch via enquiries@stayonedegree.com.
The perfect palazzo, Tuscany
From its hilltop position at the heart of a large private estate, Palazzo Cheto is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, overlooking a glorious rolling Tuscan countryside with exquisite views of Siena. Originally a 13th– century monastery, this exclusive villa is the ideal backdrop for a romantic wedding. The property has undergone sophisticated and tasteful restoration to maintain its original charm; the inner courtyard is an ideal spot for al fresco dining, while indoors modern facilities include luxury furnishings, air-conditioned bedrooms and beautifully appointed bathrooms.
There is something here for everyone and all generations. Along with private manicured gardens, tennis courts, a swimming pool, private gym, table tennis and a sauna – an optional masseuse is available too, to ease any pre-wedding nerves – the villa also comes with staff including a chef. There are plenty of tranquil walks through the wooded estate surrounding the house and the lower ground floor has a cantina designed for wine tasting – a perfect opportunity to savour the world-renowned Tuscan varieties of Chianti Classico and toast the happy couple.
Go there: Palazzo Cheto features 9 bedrooms and sleeps 18 guests, available through Tuscany Now & More from EUR 11,637 per week (www.tuscanynowandmore.com or call 020 7684 8884).
The countryside estate, Sicily
Surrounded by rich Sicilian countryside with vines and woodland, Casale Degli Erei is your very own Italian fairytale come to life. A mix of traditional and contemporary style, it’s set around a beautiful stone courtyard that makes a perfect wedding setting. The courtyard also leads on to incredible spa where you can chill out in the jacuzzi or spend time in the Turkish bath or sauna. Surrounded by sun loungers, the beautiful pool is set slightly apart from the main house and is an idyllic spot to unwind. The property even has a private chapel within the grounds, offering an excellent location for an intimate wedding ceremony.
Inside, the charming home is the perfect base for a small wedding. The beautiful roof terrace is the ideal spot for an outdoor breakfast or watching the sun go down with an evening apéritf. And to enjoy all the wonderful local ingredients, the traditional Sicilian-style kitchen has everything you need. It also leads out to the barbecue area and outdoor dining area between the pool area and the main house. A large, covered dining table is a welcoming spot for al fresco meals, while the barbecue area and outdoor kitchen – with a traditional sink and even a wood-burning oven – provides a relaxed environment for outdoor cooking.
Go there: Casale Degli Erei features 9 bedrooms and sleeps 17 guests, available through Villatravellers from EUR 2,200 per week (www.villatravellers.com or call 020 3608 4505).
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