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14 Day July Honeymoon Itenary - Northern Italy vs Amalfi

Posted by on

Hi all

I will be celebrating my honeymoon this July and planning a last minute trip to Italy. Because we saved on the wedding, we are a little more flexible on the budget + time, but I'm starting with 14 days. We are looking for the following:

Luxury + lazy accommodations (slightly lazy, it is a honeymoon !)
Romantic Settings - would love to drive old italian cars along beautiful coastline and wine country hills,
Great shopping, esp for fashion ! (why I included Milan)
History buff over art (slightly preference for history over art, and atmosphere, food and scenery over art, why spending less time in Florence and more in Tuscany)
Slighty preference for less crowds + less heat (without sacrificing scenery)
Classic Mediterranean scenery (cypress, olive trees, etc).

W. Amalfi Coast: 14 days

  1. Venice (3 nights)
  2. Florence + Tuscany (3 nights)
  3. Rome (4 nights)
  4. Amalfi Coast - Postiano/Capri (4 night)

Focus on North:

  1. Venice (3 nights)
  2. Bellagio/Lake como (3 nights)
  3. Milan (2 nights)
  4. Florence & Tuscany (3 nights)
  5. Rome (3 nights)

Will the south be too hot and crowded in July? I essentially have a decision between cutting out Northern Italy and going from Venice -> Tuscany and then onto Rome and Amalfi, or staying further up north and spending some time at Lake Como and Milan (which looks less romantic Italian but more secluded).

Open to other suggestions as well. And I know this is last minute, we weren't not expecting to have this extra budget and time for a honeymoon and we want to take the most of it.

Posted by
11174 posts

I like your 1st plan better. Suggest if you choose that one to do Rome last to facilitate your departure for your return to home. ( Venice, Florence, AC, Rome) Fly into Venice and out of Rome

Pretty much anyplace in Italy in July will be warm and occupied with tourists

Posted by
15582 posts

I drove along the Amalfi Coast last year in February, hardly any tourists. The scenery was stunning. BUT the only road is a narrow 2-lane road with sharp curves, and lots of up and down. It goes through most of the coastal villages. In summer the road will be a series of very long traffic jams. There will be lines for buses and ferries and probably as many (or more) tourists than locals. It will still be beautiful scenery and after sunset when the ferries and buses stop running, it could be quite lovely. I don't know what the lakes are like in summer, maybe someone will chime in here. And maybe one of the other lakes, like Garda, would be less crowded than Como. For few crowds and great scenery, think about going to the Dolomites - probably cooler too. I think Venice is romantic, and it's usually pretty easy to get away from the crowds by staying away from the top tourist magnets during the day. Early morning and late evening, this city can be magical, even in the most popular areas. Expect Florence and other Tuscan towns to be crowded too. Consider Bologna, a lot fewer tourists, and a good base for day tripping to charming, but lesser visited towns like Modena and Ferrara.

Posted by
3122 posts

I'll vote for the northern alternative if your goal is to avoid the most intense heat and crowds. Agree with earlier comment about the Amalfi Coast roads being jammed in July. At that time of year anywhere in Italy will be popular with tourists, especially those from northern Europe. But somewhat less so in the northern and inland part of Italy as vacationing Europeans (including Italians) tend to flock to the coastal areas.

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