Our Italian Honeymoon Adventure: Love, Gnocchi, and Unforgettable Views
Italy. Just saying it brings back a flood of memories—the taste of fresh gnocchi, the rush of winding staircases in ancient basilicas, and the thrill of standing where gladiators once fought. Our honeymoon in 2018 was a whirlwind, and looking back, it still feels like a dream. If you’re planning a honeymoon, Italy should be on your list. Trust us.
Falling in Love with Florence
We kicked off our journey in Florence, the city of art, history, and (most importantly) pasta. Our hotel, the Londra, was just a short walk from the city center, which made it easy to lose ourselves in Florence’s charms. And lose ourselves we did.
We spent a whole day wandering through the Uffizi Gallery, our necks craning to take in the works of Botticelli, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. It was art overload, in the best way. But let’s be real—the highlight of our time in Florence was the food. One night, we stumbled upon this little restaurant called Osteria Santo Spirito. We ordered gnocchi, and it was, hands down, the best gnocchi we’ve ever had. To this day, I’m still trying to recreate it at home (spoiler: I haven’t succeeded). There’s just something about eating it in Florence that makes it taste better.
And because we’re both a little nerdy, we couldn’t skip the Museo Galileo. Imagine a place packed with centuries-old telescopes and scientific tools. It was a playground for science geeks like us, and we could’ve spent hours there. It felt like we were stepping into the minds of explorers from centuries past.
The Train Ride to Rome – Because Every Adventure Needs a Journey
After a few days, we hopped on a train to Rome. There’s something so romantic about Italian train rides—watching the countryside roll by, sipping on espresso, and feeling like you’re in a classic movie. We felt like we’d been transported back in time.
When we arrived in Rome, we checked into the Savoy. It was close to all the big sites, so we could head out and explore without wasting time. We treated ourselves to a private tour, complete with a Mercedes and a driver who knew all the shortcuts. It was one of those “honeymoon splurges” that felt totally worth it. We saw so much of Rome in one day without feeling like we were running around like tourists.
Vatican Magic (And a Little Claustrophobia)
Our Vatican tour was a highlight, and we went all out with an early morning visit. This meant we got to see the Sistine Chapel with only a handful of people around, which felt almost surreal. There’s no way to describe the feeling of standing there, staring up at Michelangelo’s masterpiece. You don’t even realize you’re holding your breath.
After the Vatican Museums, we decided to tackle St. Peter’s Basilica—specifically, the climb to the top. Now, let’s talk about that climb. If you’re claustrophobic, be prepared. It’s a narrow, winding, single-file staircase that only seems to get tighter the higher you go. At one point, everyone was leaning sideways just to make it through. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was a little terrifying. But once we finally reached the top? Wow. The view of Rome from up there was worth every single step. Standing side by side, looking out over the city, we knew this was a memory we’d hold onto forever.
The Colosseum – Channeling Our Inner Gladiators
No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum. Walking into that ancient arena, you can almost hear the cheers of the crowd and imagine the intensity of the battles that once took place there. We took a tour that even went underground, where the gladiators and animals were kept before they faced the crowds. There’s something humbling about standing in a place with that much history—it’s like you’re a tiny part of something huge and timeless.
After the Colosseum, we wandered through the Roman Forum and up Palatine Hill. From the top, we could see the ruins sprawled out below us, with the modern city of Rome as the backdrop. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time in the city—a blend of ancient and modern, past and present.
A Few Unexpected Surprises (Including an Emergency Landing)
And here’s where things took a little twist. For our flights, we’d saved up points and booked business class seats for the first time. On the way there, we were living the life with lie-flat seats and fancy meals. It was heaven!! But on the way back…well, we’d run out of points and booked the cheapest business class we could find. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite the luxury experience we’d had before, and we still laugh about the difference to this day.
Oh, and did we mention the emergency landing? Our plane had to divert to Yellowknife, Canada. We didn’t even know that was on the map! We spent a few hours there before continuing on, but it was one of those unexpected detours that makes a trip memorable in a whole new way.
Why Italy? Because It’s Magic
Looking back, our honeymoon in Italy was everything we dreamed it would be. Italy has this way of sweeping you off your feet, filling your days with beauty, history, and amazing food. And if you’re dreaming of an Italian honeymoon, we’d love to help make it a reality.
Whether it’s a sunset gondola ride in Venice, a vineyard tour in Tuscany, or a private, early-morning tour of the Vatican, let’s plan a trip filled with unforgettable moments. Contact us today, and let’s make your Italian adventure a story worth telling.
