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After Rome, we went to Florence and the Amalfi coast for the remainder of our honeymoon.  We took a train from Rome to Florence.  The first day we were in Florence we enjoyed a guided walking tour to learn the history of the city.  In the morning we skipped the line at Florence’s Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, ‘David.’  While I was taking photos of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ my Canon point and shoot camera died.  So, Florence was the last day I could take photos on my camera.  The rest of the photos I took while we were on our honeymoon was with my iPhone.

After we visited the Accademia Gallery, we crossed the Ponte Vecchio and got to skip the line to visit the Duomo.  In the afternoon we toured the Uffizi Gallery.  We had time to explore independently to see the art at our own pace.  The Uffizi Gallery was beyond stunning.  I could have stayed in the gallery for days.  
While we were in Florence we stayed at the Westin Excelsior.  The Westin Excelsior is in the best location in the heart of Florence.  It is overlooking the Piazza Ognissanti, is a 7-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella church and an 11-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio bridge.  The hotel also has an amazing rooftop restaurant and bar with a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence.  Whenever we go back to Florence we will definitely be staying at Westin Excelsior Florence again.

One of the days we stayed in Florence we took a day trip to see the Tuscan gems of San Gimignano, Siena and Greve in Chianti.  We first stopped in the city of Siena to visit a ‘contrada’ museum for some Sienese history, as well as the Basilica di San Domenico for an interior tour.  Afterward, we explored the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano and enjoyed a tasting of local blends at a nearby winery.  At the end of the day we ended in the city of Greve before returning to Florence.

After we spent 5 days in the city of Florence we headed to the Tuscan countryside.  We stayed at Castel Monastero in the Chianti region in Tuscany.  Castle Monastero was previously an 11th century monetary.  We spent a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the countryside.  It was a nice break after staying over 8 days between Rome and Florence.

At the end of our honeymoon we visited the Amalfi coast.  We rented a car and drove from the Tuscan countryside to Positano.  In Positano we stayed at the Hotel Villa Franca.  If you plan on visiting Positano, there are so many great restaurants.  Some of our favorites were Il Ritrovo, La Tagliata and La Sponda Restaurant at Le Sirenuse Hotel.  On July 4 we took a private boat from Positano to the island of Capri.  We toured the island on the boat and got to see the beautiful grottos.  We spent a couple of days on the island of Capri and stayed at the Villa Marina Capri.  One of the days we were in Capri we went to the Fontelina Beach Club, which is one of the most beautiful beach clubs in all of Italy.  It’s also very exclusive.  While we were there the Dior family was at the beach club as well.  I’m sure there were other famous people there.  Our favorite restaurant on the island of Capri was the Il Geranio Capri, a family owned restaurant.

On July 6 we traveled from Capri back to Rome and spent the night in Rome before departing on our flight back to Atlanta on July 7.  Our honeymoon to Rome, Florence, the Tuscan countryside and down to the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri was the trip of a lifetime.  When we got home, everyone asked me what my favorite city in Italy was.  All the cities are beautiful and unique in their own way so I cannot choose.  I’d go back to any of those cities in a heartbeat.  There are also so many other places I want to visit in Italy in the future, including Cinque Terre, Lake Como, Venice, Milan, etc.  We cannot wait to visit Italy again sometime in the future.  However, my now husband (so weird to say now) and I have to get back to the real world and our full-time jobs so we can afford our next trip.  🙂

xx,
Lauren