Enchanting Honeymoon Destinations

Not a drop of blue blood? Now you can experience all the princely pleasures for yourselves at these luxurious palace hotels.

The Gritti Palace, Venice

Named for its most illustrious occupant, the 14th-century Gritti Palace on the Grand Canal housed one of the city’s most powerful potentates, Andrea Gritti, the doge of Venice from 1523 to 1538. As stunning as the gems he wore on his fingers, this Venetian Gothic palazzo with its gilded detailing, priceless art, scarlet, velvet and brocade upholstery, marble floors and staircases is a reminder of this lagoon city-state and empire’s past. Recently the palace underwent a comprehensive renovation, and the magnificent Redentore Terrazza Suite has a roof-top balcony with a private pool and views across the city. But any room will make you feel like a true principessa. Room rates start at $466 a night

What to Do: Indulge your inner tourist and board a gondola, poled by a singing gondolier, or take a water taxi to Murano, the island known for its glassmaking and artisans, where you can take home stemware etched with your initials. Or just get lost together in Venice and wander the car-free narrow streets and bridges. Finish the day with a glass of prosecco at an outdoor café in Piazza San Marco, before dining at A Beccafico for a taste of northern and southern Italian cuisine.

venice canal
Photo Credit: The Luxury Collection

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