Italy for 2, August

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Has anyone been anywhere really lovely in Italy for a romantic long weekend? We're hoping to get away without kids for 5 days across the end of July and beginning of August - know it will be hot.

We've talked generally about Tuscany but open to suggestions (except Puglia - can't go there).

Would be very grateful for suggestions. Basically, I would like to stay in the castle from The Enchanted April, in the 1920s, with servants. But if that's not possible, somewhere nice will do.

Positano or Bergamo maybe?

Second Positano! If you really want to push the boat out then Le Sireneuse is a spectacular hotel!

Just came back from Taormina Sicily absolutely beautiful
Very romantic

Marmite La Sireneuse really is spectacular. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay there for four nights on our honeymoon. This was in 2007 and Euro was really weak against the pound at the time. Which immensely helped with the cost

Whatever you do, don't go to Sorrento. Unless you want to include Brits eating their fish & chips in your romantic getaway.

If you fancy Tuscany, you could check out Umbria which is next door. Just as beautiful but without the Tuscany price tag and less crowds. We really like the ancient hilltop towns of Montone, Gubbio and Perugia.

Sirmione on Lake Garda would be a dreamy bolthole too.

Lake Como is stunningly beautiful, with a selection of several wonderful hotels, depending on your price range.

You could include a visit (which you have to book) to Villa Balbianello, which would fit your Enchanted April theme, (though it's not where EA was filmed) especially as you arrive by boat at the lovely palazzo.

I second taormina, but also lucca is absolutely stunning.