The heart of the Italian countryside is a spellbinding place for newlyweds. Mediaeval hill towns, rows of cypress trees, olive groves, sunflower fields and crumbling farmhouses appear around every corner. Captured so many times in movies and paintings, its beauty is legendary.
And for couples who want stimulation for the mind as well as the body, this part of Italy is also recognised as its cultural centre. Dante wrote The Divine Comedy in his native Florence where the Renaissance period also blossomed, in fact you can gaze at the work of Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci and Botticelli in churches, galleries and museums throughout the area.
It is here, amidst this plethora of culture and beauty, that three friends decided to renovate an old farmhouse and turn it into one of the most sought-after retreats in Europe, Villa Fontelunga, a villa-come-hotel set amid olive groves near the ancient town of Arezzo.
Painted a vivid terracotta with large shutters the colour of the cloudless sky, the villa is perfection if you're looking for a private, romantic retreat. When you arrive (it's around two hours from Rome and five hours from Milan by car) you'll be greeted by one of the charismatic founders, Paolo, Philip or Simon, and more than likely one of their adorable dogs. After a refreshing drink, or may be a glass of vino, you'll be shown to your room. There are nine individually styled bedrooms all of which manage to effortlessly combine classic style with contemporary design.
Cool white walls, wispy curtains floating to the floor, huge double beds and fabulous art work are de rigour here. Bathrooms are just as tasteful; white, tiled and full of honeymoon essentials such as fluffy bathrobes and a shower big enough for two - in one room there's even a window from the shower into the bedroom so that you can keep an eye on your loved one! The little extras are divine, chocolate ladybirds left by your bed at night, a mini bottle of bubbly and two champagne flutes on arrival and CD players in every room.
Overlooking the olive groves and lawned gardens at the rear of the property you'll discover the heart of the villa. A long row of immaculate white tables, chairs and umbrellas where you'll dine at breakfast and hang out drinking wine and star gazing at the end of the night. If any guests want to stay for lunch a head count is taken mid-morning and food prepared fresh each day. Expect fine quality, home-grown fare, such as pasta with delicious pesto and tomato, basil and cheese washed down with some crisp white wine. The villa only serves dinner twice a week, so you'll have the chance to explore the restaurants of nearby Arezzo and Pozzo too.
If you've got your heart set on a wedding in Tuscany, then the villa is an ideal spot to exchange vows. Not only is it incredibly romantic, it can also cater for up to 50 family and friends.
The flamboyant, entrepreneurial owners have recently introduced three new villas to complement the existing house, kindly allowing a few more lucky people to enjoy the Fontelunga experience.
The new villas lie in Fattoria Di Scannagallo, a tiny hamlet less than 10 minutes from Villa Fontelunga, which have the same laid-back chic and stunning views of the Tuscan countryside. Villa Scannagallo is the largest of the three, with four double rooms it can hold up to a maximum of eight guests and has its own infinity pool.
Villa Gallo, which can house four shares a pool and walled lavender garden with the divine Villa Galetto, which is the one for honeymooners to bag as it has just one, stylish double bedroom that's made for romance.
You'll love the freshly baked bread and croissants that arrive each morning, daily maid service to whisk away the remains of long nights spent on your villa patio and even a chef if you require it.
Honeymoon Factfile: Chic Retreats (020 7978 7164, www.chicretreat.com) offers Villa Fontelunga from £106 per room per night, based on two sharing. For vehicle hire throughout Italy call Hertz reservations (08708 448844, www.hertz.co.uk). A lead in price for four days' car hire from Milan Bergamo Airport starts from £81.50, payable locally, including unlimited mileage, cd players, theft protection, service charge, road tax and VAT. Flybe (08705 676676, to www.flybe.com) offers regular flights of to Milan Bergamo Airport and other locations all over Europe. Climate: It can get very hot in the summer months of June to August, with temperatures hitting the high 80s and 90s. If you're looking for warm weather without the blistering heat, April and May, and early autumn are particularly pleasant times of the year to visit all areas of Italy.
