What to do for Valentine's Day in Italy? Romantic ideas for 2026

Valentine's Day: The Origins of the Holiday and the Legend of the Rebel Bishop

We all know February 14th as the day of chocolates and red roses; Valentine's Day has always been the celebration of universal love. But what if we told you that this romantic anniversary was born from the rebellion of a bishop who went as far as sacrificing his own life just to help young lovers?

In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire was perpetually engaged in bloody wars on its borders. Emperor Claudius II, convinced that married men were mediocre soldiers because they were "distracted" by the thought of love for their family and children, issued a drastic edict: a ban on marriage for young men of military age.

It was precisely in response to this prohibition that the figure of Valentine emerged not only as a religious man, but as a true rebel. He chose to protect the promise of thousands of lovers, celebrating unions in secret and allowing them to fulfill a desire that was otherwise forbidden. It was in this way that love was charged with a revolutionary meaning, becoming a great act of civil resistance.

But why do we write "From your Valentine"?

It is interesting to know that the signature we carelessly scribble on a greeting card today actually has deep and dramatic roots. According to legend, during his last days of imprisonment, Valentine formed a deep bond with the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. The young woman was blind, and the Saint, moved by a compassion that went beyond the bars of his cell, performed one last miracle: he restored her sight. However, the miracle did not grant him freedom.

Shortly before being led to his martyrdom along the Via Flaminia, Valentine asked for a piece of parchment and some ink. It is here that he wrote a farewell message for the girl, a thank you for the light she had brought into his darkest days. That note closed with the words that would travel through millennia: "From your Valentine".

Valentine's Day 2026: Romantic couple ideas and tours in Italy

Let's admit it: in these days you will all be in a panic over "what should I organize this year for my significant other?". For this Valentine's Day 2026, we have selected the most fascinating Italian cities and tours that will make you discover the most secret (and tasty) side of the Beautiful Country. Because it is well known, Italy, with its wonders, its boundless landscapes, and its eternal art, always remains the most romantic country in the world.

The experiences will be divided by type—culinary, literary, wine-related, or artistic—furthermore, to meet every need, they will be located across the entire national territory, touching various cities.

Destination Food: Food Tours in Bologna and Parma

Bologna is not visited, it is savored. Imagine walking hand in hand under kilometers of infinite porticoes, between the red of the bricks that warms up at sunset and the inviting scent coming out of the historic shops. It is the city of conviviality par excellence, where every alley of the Quadrilatero tells a story of centuries-old traditions. Here, romanticism has the flavor of tortellini in brodo, cotoletta alla bolognese, and a platter of crescentine and cold cuts shared in a historic osteria. It is the ideal destination for couples who love life, good wine, and the straightforward hospitality that only this land can offer. To ensure you discover the tastiest secrets of the center, we have selected tours that take you into the beating heart of gastronomy.

👉Discover the charm of taste with a Food Tour in the Quadrilatero

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more exclusive intimacy and a private, refined dimension, the experience of an Home Restaurant in a historic residence will allow you to dine by candlelight far from the tourist circuits.

👉Reserve your exclusive table in an Home Restaurant

Parma is the "Petite Capitale" where the elegance of the ducal palaces marries world culinary excellence. Walking through its center means immersing yourself in an aristocratic and cultured atmosphere, among the pastel colors of the facades and the majesty of the Cathedral and the Baptistery. It is the perfect city for those who want to experience a refined Valentine's Day, between the music of Verdi and the prestige of the Food Valley. To truly experience the essence of this territory, we accompany you to discover the workshops where Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma are born, transforming a simple tasting into a journey through artisan art.

👉From Bologna to Parma: A tour of excellence

Note on flexibility: Our Emilian tours often include transport from Bologna, but we can customize the experience for you. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Destination Literature: Verona and Venice on the tracks of love

There are places that seem to be written by a poet. Verona is one of them: a city of stone and music, where the majestic Arena and the legendary Juliet's balcony serve as a backdrop for promises of eternal love. Walking along the Adige while the city lights reflect on the water is an experience that every couple should live at least once. To make this moment fluid and worry-free, we propose a tour with travel by high-speed train that will allow you to immerse yourself in the poetic quiet of the banks of the Adige in total relaxation.

👉Verona by train: see the details of the romantic tour

Venice, on the other hand, is pure enchantment. A city that defies time, where the silence of the less-traveled streets  is interrupted only by the slow passage of a gondola. It is the perfect refuge for those seeking an intimate romanticism, made of golden reflections and sunsets over the Lagoon  that take your breath away. To ensure an arrival in perfect Venetian style, starting comfortably from Bologna by train, you can land in a world where every corner hides a secret to be discovered as a pair.

👉Experience the enchantment of Venice: see the details of the tour for couples

Departures and tailor-made solutions: Our proposals with high-speed trains are calibrated for specific stations, but if you prefer to depart from another Italian station or if you are exclusively interested in the guided tour in the cities (without travel), we are at your complete disposal. Write to us for a personalized solution.

Destination Art: Padua and Florence among eternal masterpieces

Padua, cultured and elegant, guards one of the most emotional treasures of humanity: the Scrovegni Chapel. Its artist, Giotto, succeeded in the feat of capturing a fragment of the sky and imprinting it on a century-old ceiling. Stopping to admire it and, why not, also making a romantic wish under its eternal stars will unite couples in deep and unforgettable wonder. For those seeking a cultured romanticism, we have designed a path that accompanies you into the presence of the art that changed history, leaving you all the time to make a wish under the eternal stars of the master. 

👉Discover Padua and Giotto's masterpiece with your sweetheart

Florence is an explosion of beauty that fills the eyes and the heart. It is the cradle of the Renaissance, where every square is an open-air museum and every bridge tells centuries of history. Falling in love in front of the majesty of the Duomo or among the corridors of the Uffizi means sharing a wonder that is timeless. To experience the city like never before, we have provided reserved access that will allow you to walk hand in hand among the treasures of the Medici without the stress of waiting. 

👉Skip-the-line pass and tour for the treasures of Florence

Your art, your rhythm: Do you want a private tour or a solution that does not include rail transport? Whatever your need, our team is ready to listen to you. Request your personalized quote here.

Destination Wine: Tastings in Piedmont and intimate atmospheres

"Wine prepares the hearts and makes them ready for passion." This was already taught to us two thousand years ago by Ovid, the poet of love par excellence. Wine thus becomes the ideal element for those seeking the essence of beauty and romanticism. It is not just a tasting, but a ritual that celebrates the bond between millennial traditions of production and feeling.

There are places where wine is not a simple product, but the distinctive trait of a millennial identity, and the Langhe are its maximum expression. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, these hills give the impression of being inside a magnificent painting: a mosaic of vineyards that change color with the seasons, offering an unforgettable spectacle. It is a land where every village tells a story of dedication and where wine is not a simple product, but the distinctive trait of a millennial identity.

An experience tailored for you: although the Langhe offer infinite possibilities, we believe that such a precious territory deserves an itinerary built on your desires. If you dream of a weekend among the vineyards, a visit to a historic cellar, or a private tasting in an exclusive location (with or without transport included), we are ready to design it for you.

Every love story has its own rhythm and its own way of living romanticism. If you dream of an experience that goes beyond these proposals, we will do our best to sew one to measure for you. You can write to us via email or contact us directly on WhatsApp. Here our contacts. We are ready to listen to your desires and help you create the ideal romantic path for you, transforming a simple stay into an indelible memory.