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Are you a couple heading for Italy? Are you hoping to make your stay there a romantic getaway? Italy’s lush green hillsides, cobblestoned streets, olive groves, verdant vineyards, and candlelit restaurants can provide just the right inspiration. In no particular order, here are ten of the best destinations for couples in Italy.

1 Kick it in lovely Lake Como

Lake Como is arguably the most romantic place in the entire Italian Lake District. Found near the border of Switzerland, this picturesque place is surrounded by beautiful villages and quaint villas.

If you have some money to burn, by all means, stay in Bellagio.

Bellagio has been the destination of romantic runaways for more than 100 years. Explore the hillsides too. There you will find a number of nice towns. There you can browse the shops, boat on the lake, then dine al fresco in the fresh, lakeside air.

2Feel the vibes of Venice

To some people, Venice is the quintessential picture of romance in Europe. Picture yourself in a boat on a canal. The romantic gondola ride is a cliche of course but one not to be missed.

At the same time though, the town itself has more to experience than just its famous waterways. Stroll hand-in-hand along the small canals and down the labyrinthine streets, check out the famous Bridge of Sighs, and take in the view from the Terrazza Danieli. Then get cozy at one of the many cafes and enjoy gelato.

3Get away to the villas of Tuscany

The countryside in Tuscany is reported to be some of the most romantic in Europe. Here you can enjoy the cobbled roads, cypress copses, lush green hills, old farmhouses, rolling vineyards, and shaded olive groves. Get a room in a quaint bed and breakfast in this town not far from Florence.

Take a short jaunt to where the Italian Renaissance was born. Take in the art, architecture, and history in Florence then return for a romantic candlelit dinner. The restaurants here offer dishes made with fresh local produce.

4Escape to uncrowded Umbria

Peacefully ensconced between oft’times tourist-laden Tuscany and overrun Rome is Umbria. It is the only region of Italy that does not border another nation or have a coastline. It is also famous for its artistic legacy, culinary delights, cultural influences, history, landscapes, and traditions.

The author Henry James once referred to the verdant vineyards and green, lush hillsides of Umbria as “the most beautiful garden in all the world.” Enjoy intimate dinners one of the noteworthy restaurants across the medieval region. Veteran visitors especially recommend dining in Perugia or Orvieto.

5Be a modern-day Romeo & Juliet in Verona

Sadly, Venice often overshadows Verona. Still, for those interested in Verona, that’s a good thing. It means the olden cobblestone streets here are less laden with tourists.

This beautiful town situated on the Adige River in northern Italy has actually been a trade center since roughly 2000 BC. Additionally, you can stroll around ruins that are second to only those of Pompeii and Rome. Let’s not forget Juliet’s famous balcony where William Shakespeare set perhaps one of the planet’s most famous scenes: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?”

6Experience the incredible Amalfi Coast

Take a scenic drive along the road that connects the villages along the Amalfi coast. Stroll along the shining Tyrrhenian Sea and see the pastel-colored houses on the hillsides and the jagged cliffs surrounding the beautiful beaches. Relax on the soft sand, go for a swim and dry yourself on the sun-heated boulders.

Stay in one of the resort towns along the coastal road like Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, or Sorrento. You stay in stone buildings complete with balconies that provide views of the piazzas. Enjoy fresh seafood for dinner too!

7See the villages of Cinque Terre

Part of the popular Italian Riviera in the Liguria region, the Cinque Terre is aptly named. It includes a group of five headlands separated by a jagged shoreline. If you enjoyed the previously-mentioned Amalfi Coast, this span of coastline is just as breathtaking.

The colorful Riomaggiore is recommended for lovers. The adjoining lemon-scented Manarola is great for a romantic walk on the seaside trail called Via dell’Amore. It earned its moniker during the second world war when it was used as the location for many a secret rendezvous.