Holidays In Tuscany - Romance Under The Tuscan Sun

There’s something quite special about the Tuscan sun that amps up the romance factor on holidays. In Tuscany, it seems that almost everything is created with love in mind: the wonderful weather, the fine wine, the excellent food, the spectacular landscape – it’s no wonder it has turned into one of the most popular destinations in the world for honeymoons, weddings and romantic holidays.

Here are a few tips on the region that may come in handy if you’re planning any kind of romantic occasion – including a wedding.

The Perfect Location

One of the hardest things to decide regarding holidays in Tuscany is where to go first! It's quite a large region, with every town or city having its own unique charm; narrowing down a location for your dream break is a thousand times harder than many other places, so be warned!

Florence

This is the city everyone always falls in love with while on holidays in Tuscany – and it's a magnificent setting for a destination wedding. Ancient palaces, stunning villas and gorgeous churches offer myriad possible venues for an unforgettable celebration in a city filled to the brim with romance and art.

Siena

Its serene charm is definitely a far cry from any of the big cities, but that’s just what makes Siena an idyllic setting for romance. Ancient walls, beautiful Gothic facades, mazes of cobble-stoned streets and a delightful medieval character have earned Siena a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. What’s more, many other charming towns in the region are very easily accessible from Siena (most are just a half-day trip), making it a perfect starting point for a honeymoon or extended romantic break.

Chianti

The magnificent paint-box landscapes of this charming area between Florence and Siena offer a host of opportunities for a sun-kissed wedding overlooking golden fields, sweetly scented orchards, green olive groves and lush vineyards. Greve is one of the most popular towns in Chianti, and, along with Gaiole, is a favourite for vineyard and winery tours.

The Perfect Venue

If you're planning a wedding with either a religious or civil ceremony, there are endless choices for wedding venues.

Churches. Each of these cities and towns above has numerous grand churches as well as smaller, charming chapels to provide the perfect setting for your dream wedding. The city centre of Florence, around Ponte Vecchio for instance, offers a host of local churches available for ceremonies against a backdrop of the stunning Arno River.

Castles and Palaces. There are castles from various periods of Italian history situated throughout the region that can make great venues for a wedding. Many castles and palaces have their own chapels, should you want a religious ceremony. For civil ceremonies, historic town halls, such as Siena’s Palazzo Publico, can be quite charming.

Olive Groves and Vineyards. For those who wish to get back to nature, rustic country villas and picturesque farmhouses in wine estates or olive groves can be the perfect setting for a romantic ceremony. Many of these are located in the region's lovely hill towns, and there are also some by the seaside in Northern Tuscany.

When it comes to destination weddings or romantic holidays in Tuscany, it's certainly not hard to see why this stunning Italian region is so popular.

Carolyn Spinks is from ABTOI - The Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy. If you’re looking for the perfect holidays in Tuscany their LoveItaly website provides destination information, contact details of tour operator members to help you plan the best Italian holiday, ‘insider’ tips, year round special offers and information on everything from beach holidays in Sardinia, cycling in Sicily, to a wedding or honeymoon in Tuscany.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.