For those interested in world history and culture, Italy is a treasure trove. 2000 years ago, Italy was the heart of the Roman Empire. Honeymooning couples can easily spend two weeks discovering and exploring the ancient ruins that can still be found throughout the country. From the world-famous Colosseum in the heart of Rome to the spectacularly well preserved ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum on the coast of Campania. Less well known but equally gorgeous is the Valley of the Temples on Sicily. Though now in ruins, the valley remains a site to behold, particularly during the early spring when the surrounding almond trees are in blossom.
Of course, Italy’s history does not start and end with the Romans. The country is home to no less than 47 World Heritage Sites: as many as the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Greece combined. These historic and geographic sites extend throughout the entire history of the Italian peninsula. There is the Palace of Caserta, constructed in the eighteenth century as the royal residence of the Bourbon kings of Naples. The palace was the largest of its time and boasts parks considered superior in beauty even to those of the Palace of Versailles which inspired them.
In the north of the country, there are the Dolomites, a mountain range in the Southern Limestone Alps. The area is popular with sports fans, offering skiing, free climbing and, for the most adventurous, Base Jumping. A perfect honeymoon holiday destination for the sports fans.
Immortal composers as diverse as Gioachino Rossini, Antonio Salieri, Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi all hailed from this great land. Tourists looking to engage with the country’s musical history may be interested in visiting one of its famous opera houses. Milan’s La Scala is probably the country’s most well known. Designed by Giuseppe Piermarini, the neoclassical building opened in 1778 with a performance of Salieri’s “Europa riconosciuta”. It has since hosted the premiers of countless other famous operas, including Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and Turandot, and Verdi’s Nabucco. Other famous theatres and opera houses in this most operatic of countries include Venice’s La Fenice, the Teatro di San Carlo and the Teatro Massimo.
Whether you and your new partner are lovers of landscape, architecture, history or music, Italy has something to offer you. There is no country on Earth that offers so diverse a range of honeymoon holidays. Get online, find a booking agent and start planning your dream honeymoon now.