10 Reasons to choose the Italian Riviera for your Destination Wedding
The Italian Riviera for your Destination Wedding
Choose to have your destination wedding in the Italian Riviera, where you will fall in love with one of the most traditionally beautiful places in Italy.
1) Variety of Landscape
The Italian Riviera, which we call Liguria, is a very coveted region of Italy, for its many intriguing spots and variety of landscapes. It is divided into 2 parts: the western part is called Riviera di Ponente (from Genoa to France), with its magnificent villages and beautiful beaches in Finale Ligure and Pietra Ligure and the popular Sanremo, called “Flowers Town”, while the eastern part called the Riviera di Levante (from Genoa to Tuscany), has many popular and exclusive places like Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, the bay of Sestri Levante, Portovenere and the unique Cinque Terre (The 5 Lands). This large area not only offers you different options for wedding locations, but different vacation experiences as well.
2) Cinque Terre: an experience you just can’t miss for your destination wedding!
These five fishing villages are incredible because their picturesque, colored houses, which were built on seaside cliffs, seem to protrude from the land itself. Monterosso is the largest and most visited village, which has the old town separated by the Fegina area, where you can find beautiful beaches equipped for tourists. The old town boasts a medieval castle, the church of St. Francesco, and the Capuccini’s Monastery. It deserves a walk through its ancient staircases and narrow streets. Here you will find places surrounded by beautiful nature, like “agriturismo” or a retreat, where you can get married and have a cozy reception.
Vernazza is the most romantic and colorful, with two little natural beaches. This is a wonderful place for your destination wedding in Italy, with its natural port and narrow streets that bring you to the little piazza. The Castle Doria and St. Margherita’s church with its “cupola” complete the scene.
Riomaggiore is the closest to the city of La Spezia, with Santuario Montenero of the VIII century, which presents you with a beautiful panoramic view. The Castle of Riomaggiore is another romantic place to have your wedding reception, or there are nice restaurants if you wish to have something simple and informal.
Manarola, built on a precipitous promontory of dark rock, has a little port between two rock spurs. In the piazza, you can find its religious buildings. For example, it would be lovely to have your wedding photo shoot throughout its charming streets. Corniglia is the smallest village of them all, perched upon a cliff about 100 meters high, which really deserves a visit!
Are you looking for the right wedding venue? Have a look at my special Wedding Venue Scouting Service
3) I Love Pesto!
This is a typical Ligurian product which is famous all over the world. This lovely “sugo” (sauce), is made with local basil, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, pine nuts and garlic. It’s used to flavor perfectly “al dente” pasta, and to make other dishes shine. You’ll love the real thing!
4) Boat Excursions
Try a boat excursion to San Fruttuoso in Capodimonte, situated in a cove in Portofino’s park. This location has a famous Abbey built with white marble and slate, which was an ancient Benedictine Monastery that became property of the Doria family . There’s a cozy beach and two restaurants.
In front of the Abbey, there’s Cristo degli Abissi, a bronze statue of Christ situated in the deep water at 15 metres depth. Couples who are passionate for diving can even get married in front of the statue, underneath the water!
5) Portovenere
This is one of the most romantic villages on the Levante coast, where words aren’t enough to describe just how beautiful it is. Lots of couples get married here every year in St. Peter’s church, one of the landmarks of Portovenere, situated on a cliff in the Gulf of Poets. This church is one of the exemplary buildings of the Gothic-Genoese architecture in Liguria, and the landscape that surrounds is breathtaking.
6) Isola Palmaria
Isola Palmaria is situated in front of Portovenere, and together with the little islands of Tino e Tinetto, is considered a World Heritage site with a Fortress, another beautiful place to get married.
7) Dolceacqua
This is a little medieval village in Val Nervia, a timeless place suspended between the sea and the mountains. The famous Claude Monet painted it, along with its Castle Doria (another possible place for your reception). The picturesque “caruggi” (narrow streets) weave together towards the valley. Loose yourself by walking through them.
8) Acquario di Genoa
This is the largest Aquarium in Italy, and is considered the best one in Europe because of its large variety of species, situated in the ancient port of Genoa, 27,000 mq of territory host 15,000 animals of 400 different species, which makes for a real experience! It’s possible to have the reception of your wedding inside in the romantic dolphins’ room or the magnificent sharks’ room.
9) Delicious Focaccia
Focaccia is something you can’t, and shouldn’t, resist!
Taste it in all its different versions, like Focaccia di Recco with crescenza cheese sauce, or with tomatoes, olives, or onions, or zucchini, etc.!
10) Wine Bars
From Levante to Ponente, wine production is a very important part of the landscape. I would suggest a visit to some of these wineries where you can relax with a delicious glass of wine.
Are you looking for the right wedding venue? Have a look at my special Wedding Venue Scouting Service
Contact me for your blissful destination wedding in the Italian Riviera
If you are ready, don’t make yourself wait another moment! Contact me to plan your blissful destination wedding in the Italian Riviera, and get ready to experience the time of your life!
Photo Credit Pinterest
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