Proposing to Girlfriend in Italy

If you decide on Venice, and if one or both of you like(s) doing photography, you might want to look into taking a Venice Photo Walk with Marco Secchi - he could help you find the location, and take your picture, and you would learn a tremendous amount about Venice and photography. If Florence, you might like the grounds of San Miniato al Monte.

We are die hard RS fans also and its really to bad when someone like "borntorun" responds to our Inquiries with snotty and less than informative replies. I have posted on here several times and have a few times suggested the OP to do more research with some guidance in the area asked. I can't help with your question but I can only hope that there will be someone to help with some interesting and informative guidance , the kind that makes the forum work.
Come on, let's help the guy out here.

Venice - gondola = romance!
Cinque Terre - if hiking & restaurants are out, then I'd skip it because this will be a crowded location.
Florence - climb the stairs to the top of the cathedral
Siena - at the front of the gorgeous Duomo, or overlooking the country side on one of the small lanes
Rome - every place I'm thinking of would have a crowd. Pick a neighborhood that's special to you.

spencer,

All of the places you listed offer some great possibilities for proposing, so it's difficult to recommend any one of them. One factor to help in your decision might be to give some thought on which of those locations you think your girlfriend might really love. The occasion will have more meaning for her if she is completely enamored with the place where the question was asked. Is there one place of the five that she's expressed more interest in?

I'd have to give some thought on specific places in each of the five locations that might fit the criteria you mentioned. Hopefully the others will also be able to come up with some suggestions.

You can start looking for a photographer once you've decided on a location. Your hotel might be able to recommend a local photographer (especially if they host weddings at the hotel).

Hi Spencer -
Congratulations in advance on your upcoming proposal! What with being willing to take your lady to Italy, I'm sure her answer will be a resounding YES! :O)

The problem with choosing a time/location in advance is having to depend on everything coming off without a hitch. For instance, it may be pouring rain on the evening you pre-planned to pop the question at a lovely outdoor spot? Add a hired photographer to the mix and, well, it gets complicated. Sometimes it's just easier to do it spontaneously when the perfect opportunity presents itself: you will know exactly when and where it feels right for both of you.

I might also suggest bringing along an inexpensive token ring instead of the real deal, if already purchased. Having to keep 'the' ring safe and secure until it goes on her finger could be another complication you just don't need, especially so if you decide to go the spontaneous route. You don't want to have to have to carry an expensive piece of jewelry around while waiting for that perfect moment.

LOL, maybe the exception but I was so tickled just to BE asked by Mr. Right that it didn't matter where/when! As it so happened, that was over the phone (long-distance relationship) in the middle of the night after he'd had a bit too much liquid courage. HA! Made for a funny story, and we're nearly 40 years and counting....

Hello again, Spencer,
From the way you worded your question, I understood that this will not be a surprise proposal - you're trying to figure out the logistics together. Is that correct?

If she likes ancient history, the Via Appia Antica is a great place, rent bikes and find a spot.

I agree with Kathy about the ring; buy a token ring in Italy, it will make a nice memory and keepsake.

Venice. Go to Torcello, climb the campanile (easy climb, Even for me, a non-athletic 67 year old) and propose. Forget the photographer, take a selfie stick.

Spencer - if you decide on Rome, that would be an amazing place for a proposal in an out-of-the-way location. The city is so large that there would be a zillion places away from the crowded throngs. In any case, I am close friends with a family in Rome and one of the daughters, Alessia, is a professional photographer. She does wedding photography and is also known for her culinary photography. She speaks flawless English. Send me a PM and I'll send you her contact information.

On one of the many small bridges around venice

Well...do you want to propose when she leasts expects it? You say not at a restaurant, but if you did you could set it up beforehand. I know Florence much better than the other venues, only problem is it will be very hard that time of year to avoid the crowds. Plenty of neat little cafes for morning espresso, and I'm sure if you talk to Enzo at Ciro & Sons on via Giglio, he could set it up for you at dinner.

Jean--climb to the top of Il Duomo?! That's 414 stairs. Chances are she'll say no... :)

For picturesque, if you were to get over to Piazzale Michelangelo way early, maybe take a cab before the crowds, with the summer morning fog making the landscape hazy, that might be the spot. And you'd have the whole day for her to think you're a very cool and romantic guy!

In Venice I do it at sunset at the Park of Remembrance.

Take a bike ride atop the Roman Wall in Lucca and do it when you stop to enjoy the view of Lucca.

In Florence somewhere along the Arno or at Sunset Giardino dell’Orticultura.

I know you said no restaurants but it doesnt get more romantic than an outdoor table in Fiesole to pop the question. http://www.lareggiadeglietruschi.com/

Enjoy.

For picturesque, if you were to get over to Piazzale Michelangelo way
early, maybe take a cab before the crowds, with the summer morning fog
making the landscape hazy, that might be the spot.

That one popped into my head too, Jay. Or even up the stairs from the piazzale to San Miniato? Great view from there too, and probably a bigger chance of few bodies to contend with.

The municipal rose gardens (Comunale Roseto) in Rome - on the Aventine - is a great spot with a nice view too, and was largely free of tourists. It's only open through mid-June, though.

Jay, if they climb up the stairs of the Duomo, not only will they have a great view, he can take her breath away twice! : )

I suggest the Giardini Barbini in Florence, where they will have some privacy and this view of the Duomo:

http://www.visitare-firenze.it/villa-bardini/

Move to the right so the view is not blocked by that shrub!

Kathy, the terrace next to the rose garden is open all year and has beautiful views of Roma.