I am traveling to Italy in July for a week or so with my girlfriend and would like to know a few key places to visit.I have never been and I want to see a lot of italian architecture and culture. I am interested in renting a house or villa for 3 or 4 days to relax (if anyone has any leads on rentals?) and would love a couple days on beach. Also a couple days in Rome or in metropolitan Italy?
I would love some ideas on romantic places to propose to my GF . any suggestions would be grearty appreciated .

best regards

St Marks Square - Venice - always a popular proposal destination! A gondola ride on the canals at night is pretty good.

Good luck!

The Amalfi Coast overlooking the Med is pretty spectacluar also! That also satisfy's your beach request as well. The Island of Capri is just a ferry ride away from there - you should look at pics and reviews of hotels and itineraries on here. But you had better book soon, July is jammed with people so Hotels might be a bit full.

What you describe as your desires really isn't practical for such a short trip. Where are you flying in and out of?
Possibly, go to the Cinque Terra and rent a villa there and then spend the rest of your time in Florence. Many possible great proposal spots in both places.
Another possibility is splitting your time between Bellagio and Venice.
Rome is my favorite city, but really needs time to truly enjoy it. If Rome, I'd suggest the southern Tuscany/Umbria area as the other destination. The Amalfi is nice, but getting there can kill a day both ways.

Might I suggest proposing at the very beginning of the trip? Are you carrying a ring around with you? That makes me nervous!!
Nevertheless, Italy would be a beautiful place for a proposal!

Hello, spearmint. If you end up in Rome a wedding proposal in the Borghese Garden would be very lovely, imo. Best wishes, it sounds like a very special trip! And you have received some very good ideas.

Seriously, propose in the Piazza in front of St Marks in Venice, at about 2:00 AM - there will be nobody much around, and you will have the most amazing place in all of Italy to yourselves.

You'll never forget it.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions, greatly appreciated.

My answer would depend on your tastes and the time of year you are planning to travel.

I personally love the Ligurian coast and would recommend a stay in Rapallo or Santa Margharita Ligure. Both are beach towns with ferry service to Portofino and each other and are delightful. For me, these towns have more charm than Venice which is so heavily touristed it detracts from the experience. My opinion.

Then if you are wine lovers perhaps a few nights in the Tuscan countryside at a small inn or villa.

Rome is fabulous for architecture and would be a good last stop and airport to return home.

I am fortunate to have been able to travel to Italy many times and if I could pick a spot for a proposal, it would be a table for two at a gorgeous and tranquil spot like La Terraza http://www.laterrazzamaiano.it/ in Fiesole. You can also opt to stay there at the inn.

I would prefer this to a crowded place like St. Marks personally but only you know her taste and what she might enjoy.