Postcards from Italy

So, You Want to Propose in Italy…

It’s spring, the season in which “a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love”, according to Tennyson.

Gondolas - Venice

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

You don’t have to be a man, nor exceedingly young, to consider Italy the perfectly romantic backdrop if your fancy has indeed turned to love and you are planning an intimate trip for two with a surprise marriage proposal in mind. Italy is a wonderful choice for a honeymoon and an unforgettable setting for getting down on one knee, especially in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom on terraces and pergolas, the weather is warm enough to watch the sun set with a glass of prosecco, and the crowds of the high summer season haven’t yet arrived to ruin your private moment.

If you’d like to pop the question with a touch of Italian style, here are a few perfectly magical spots to consider:

Florence

One of most panoramic spots in the city is Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a scenic overlook on a hillside above the terracotta rooftops of the city center and Brunelleschi’s majestic dome. It is beloved by locals and visitors alike as the best spot in Florence to watch the sunset, reflected in the placid waters of the Arno, making the river’s surface glow gold. Piazzale Michelangelo can get busy later in the summer, but in the spring, there are still evenings when you can find a quiet spot along the railing facing the city for just the two of you.

Florence twilight.

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

One of our favorite Florentine secrets is the private sunset boat trip down the peaceful Arno River as it flows past the historic palazzi lining the banks and under the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Both a unique vantage point from which to experience this Renaissance city and an oasis of private quiet in the otherwise bustling center, a boat for two guided by a member of I Renaioli, Florence’s rowing association, is an unforgettable setting for a truly romantic proposal.

Florence from the Arno

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

Venice

Perhaps the most romantic city in the most romantic country in the world, Venice abounds with beautiful spots for a tête-à-tête, but nothing can top a proposal by gondola. Though the gondola is often considered touristy and overplayed, these elegant craft have a history that stretches back almost a millennium and is interwoven with the fascinating evolution of this sumptuous floating city. Book a gondola in the evening, when the canals shimmer with the reflection of street lamps and moonlight, and your gondoliere treats you to a serenade.

Venezia

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

If you’d rather ask for your sweetheart’s hand over dinner, book a table with a view at Do Leoni, the restaurant at one of our favorite hotels in Venice, the Londra Palace. Do Leoni has an outdoor veranda along the Riva degli Schiavoni, one of the most scenic in Venice, and is perfect for cocktails – including their signature Bellini – or a meal from their selection of traditional Venetian and contemporary dishes.

londra-palace-venice-italy-cr-londra-palace

(Photo by Londra Palace)

Rome

Italy’s capital city may have a general romantic air – especially by night in the picturesque neighborhoods of Monti, Ponte and Parione, and Trastevere – but it’s sometimes hard to find a quiet corner in this frenetic city to retreat and enjoy the ambience. During the day, the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) on the Aventine Hill above Rome is a quiet and picturesque spot for an intimate moment. In the evening, the walk over the Sant’Angelo pedestrian bridge spanning the Tiber between Ponte and Trastevere has lovely views of Castel Sant’Angelo and the river. There is usually a steady stream of people strolling across, but you can almost always find a moment to enjoy the panorama in peace.

Rome 513

(Photo by Jeremy Thompson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rollercoasterphilosophy/) via Flickr Commons)

You may be tempted by the Trevi Fountain, but beware of the perennial crowds; the only way to guarantee a quiet moment in Rome is to book a table for two far above the city streets. The view from the La Terrasse rooftop restaurant in the five star Sofitel Villa Borghese hotel is considered the best in Rome, with a sweeping panorama over the Villa Borghese park to the dome of Saint Peter’s on the horizon. Though you won’t find authentic local cuisine on the menu, you will find the elegant atmosphere and breathtaking backdrop for a perfect proposal.

On the Water

There is no more romantic stretch of coastline than Italy’s Amalfi Coast and island of Capri, and there are a number of proposal ideas along these dramatic shores that are truly spectacular. Consider a private boat trip along the coast, or a sunset sail to Capri with a stop under the stunning Faraglioni sea stacks.

faraglioni-rocks-capri-cr-brian-dore

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

The sunsets are particularly beautiful from the Punta Carena lighthouse on Capri and the terraces of the clifftop Monastero Santa Rosa luxury hotel, or, for the most famous view on the coast, visit the Terrazzo dell’lnfinito (Terrace of Infinity) at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.

monastero-santa-rosa-cr-brian-dore

(Photo by Concierge in Umbria via Flickr)

Related posts:

So, You Want to Honeymoon in Italy…
Rome by Night
Florence for Lovers: Romantic Highlights

Travel Specialists

Maria Landers

Brian Dore