Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day: discover Italy’s most romantic destinations, as described by poets.

Italy is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic countries in the world.
With its rich art, history, and culture, Italy exudes love and a passion for life in every corner.

While the obvious choices for a romantic getaway, like Venice, Florence, and Rome, are well-known, this time we want to be inspired by the stories.
You know by now that this is how we love to travel: guided by the tales of real and fictional characters who are the heart and soul of every place.

Como

While everyone knows the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, only locals are familiar with the epic love story of Renzo and Lucia. Their journey weaves together themes of love and power, politics and injustice. The Betrothed, set in the picturesque town of Lecco on the shores of Lake Como, follows two young lovers whose marriage is thwarted by a local baron obsessed with Lucia. Over the course of 720 pages, they endure the horrors of the 1630 plague, kidnappings, and relentless villains before finally finding their way back to each other. Milan and the stunning landscapes surrounding Lake Como serve as the magnificent backdrop for this timeless tale of enduring love.

Gradara

The medieval town of Gradara, on Italy’s central coast, holds the memory of a tragic and forbidden love affair. Dante Alighieri, one of Italy’s greatest poets, recounts the story of Paolo and Francesca in the Fifth Circle of Hell in his magnum opus, The Divine Comedy. They were two doomed lovers who fell for each other despite being married to someone else. Discovered by Francesca’s husband, Paolo’s own brother, their affair ended in a crime of passion as he killed them both. In the afterlife, they are condemned to be swept forever in an eternal storm, symbolizing the uncontrollable force of the passion that consumed them in life. Their story lives on within the walls of Gradara Castle, one of the most imposing fortresses in Italy.

Vieste

In the “heel” of Italy, in the Apulian town of Vieste, stands Pizzomunno, a 25-meter-tall white limestone monolith. Its name, derived from “pezzo di mondo” (“piece of the world”), is tied to a legend of eternal love. Pizzomunno and Cristalda were young lovers whose bond was envied by the mermaids of the Adriatic Sea. Obsessed with Pizzomunno, they tried to lure him into the depths, but he always refused. In revenge, they kidnapped Cristalda, dragging her beneath the waves. Heartbroken, Pizzomunno was transformed into the rock we see today, a symbol of his undying love. Legend says that every August 15th, Cristalda returns from the sea, and Pizzomunno becomes human once more, allowing them to reunite, if only for a day.

Photo by sebastiano iervolino

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