islands - scent of exclusivity

Sicily
Sicily is the land where the mountains meet the sea. Almost a country in itself, it is Europe's fastest growing travel destination because it's a piece of Europe with a bit of Africa and a touch of Asia all in one fascinating part of the world.

Sicily weddings, as with the rest of the island's architecture, cuisine and language bear the imprint of a myriad of influences over the centuries - from Greek to Arabic and Roman to Spanish. Sicily is also a garden: fragrant orange and lemon groves scent the air of this undeniably romantic wedding location in Europe. Sicily will enchant you; it is a paradise of sunshine, amazing antiquities and tropical resorts such as Taormina, enjoying a unique position perched on a plateau above the crystal clear sea and with the towering presence of Mount Etna in the background. Discover ancient Greek temples, Gothic churches surrounded by palm trees, imposing Norman castles gazing toward the Mediterranean Sea, and an active volcano in a land of ancient Greek poetry and myth.

Celebrate your reception in one of the ocean view palace hotels with parks and you will be remembering this day for the rest of your lives!

Sardinia
Sardinia is the perfect location for your wedding and honeymoon. This beautiful and romantic island will captivate you with its breathtaking scenery, translucent blue seas gently lapping onto white sandy beaches and vibrant towns offering culture, history and a wealth of gastronomic delights.

Sardinia’s biggest town is its capital, the ferry port of Cagliari, enclosed by ancient city walls, which feature two Pisan towers. Delicious Italian cuisine can be sampled in its restaurants, and its charming centre fully repays time invested in its exploration. Cágliari's archaeological museum is a highlight of the town, as is its cathedral and its Roman amphitheatre. Some 25 miles outside is the ancient site of Nora, with more atmospheric ruins from Roman times.

The ferry port of Olbia is a good base from which to discover the northern coast of Sardinia, which ranges from the opulent resort area of the Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo, Cala di Volpe and Baia Sardinia) to many miles of wild, undeveloped coastline. Stunning beaches are strung out along the coast, and over 60 minor islands are within easy reach.

Sardinia’s oldest resort is the friendly fishing port of Alghero in the northwest. A former Catalan colony, the town has retained a Spanish feel and is a lovely place to stay.

The interior of the island is well worth discovering. Its forests, mountains and hills are dotted with tiny, traditional villages, where you may be fortunate enough to witness the celebration of one of the many village festivals, held throughout the year. It is a beautiful, unspoiled and welcoming island, a highly romantic location for your Italian wedding.

The Aeolian Islands
Come to the Aeolians to see the extensive Greek ruins on Lipari, but mostly to swim and dive in the crystalline seas and to sunbathe on the myriad beaches and rocky shores. Lipari is the main island, and offers the widest selection of lodgings, restaurants, shops, and things to do. Because the Aeolians are volcanoes, all extinct save one, each island has beaches of a unique character. Lipari is the oldest island, and thus its lidos are covered with the finest white sand, actually the end product of black lava. To have the most fun, hire your own boat and spend the day swimming and sunbathing from its deck. Take day trips to the other islands. Vulcano, a "younger" extinct volcano inhabited by 400 islanders, is studded with fantastic formations, both above ground and under water. Stromboli, the tragic island made famous in Roberto Rossellini's film of the same name (starring Ingrid Bergman), features two miniscule towns on opposite sides of a mildly active volcano. This island is the "baby," and so it has the blackest beaches.

Salina is the garden island. Its slopes are blanketed with deep green vineyards that produce a heady malvasìa; its waters are populated with fish and octopus. Tiny Panarea is the jet-set island, and perhaps the most picturesque, with its stark white houses and brilliant yellow genista bushes.

Enjoy a unique experience after your wedding ceremony: board on a boat in Lipari and start a cruise around the archipelago. At the exit of the harbour, the boat is greeted by horns while a welcome cocktail with appetizers is served to the guests. The first stop is at the most exclusive of the islands: Panarea. There, in the "Caletta degli Zimmari" the first course is served. Then a small beach is reached where to taste a fish barbecue and take a relaxing bath. Sailing to Lipari, at the sunset, you will cut your wedding cake and toast with champagne to your new married life.

Decide to get married in the Aeolian Islands and you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, capable of delivering unsuspecting natural sensations!

Isola d'Elba
Like a pearl in an oyster the Island of Elba lies cradled in the warm blue sea of the Tirreno. The mild climate offers you a holiday full of surprises in all seasons: crystal clear emerald coloured waters, sea beds rich with fish, a rocky coastline of smooth granite, broken by bays, coves and sandy beaches, flora and fauna of great beauty and interest, numerous minerals, and everywhere the obvious signs of her ancient origins. There are also castles, Roman ruins, and charming hill towns to explore.