RomaPolacchi

June 19th marks the beginning of the famous Verona Opera Festival . For 87 years, the city of Verona has been hosting some of the world's most famous operas in an ancient Roman arena. On the calendar this year are Carmen , Aida , Tosca and a special tribute to the famous tenor, Placido Domingo . Verona, the birthplace of the poet Catullus and the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is the perfect venue for these spectacular shows. You may be so inspired that you'll want to run off and get married in the House of Juliet , which will soon be open for public marriages!

Admit it-you have always dreamed of getting married in a villa in Tuscany . Who hasn't? Well, you can make that dream come true. Go to GettingMarriedInItaly.com and the Italian wedding of a lifetime can be yours. The website will take care of the Italian bureaucracy, the venue, the flowers, the music, the food (yum) and will help your guests with accommodations. They have resources for every region in Italy, so if you want a vineyard in Umbria or an ancient chapel on the Amalfi Coast , you can have it. The website has tons of great ideas and photos to inspire you. It makes me want to get married all over again!

Delta Airlines has a nonstop airfare for $720 from JFK to Rome December 11-17. Tablet Hotels is also offering the famous and luxurious Regina Hotel Baglioni on the Via Veneto for 270 Euros a night. With all these savings you can have an amazing honeymoon in Rome...or just a lovely winter trip.

Nighttime is the most romantic time in Rome. The sounds of traffic are muted, the dusk hides any debris or graffiti that the harsh sunlight illuminates, the streetlights cast a warm glow over the cobblestones, and the busloads of tourists have gone back to their hotels. So what should you and your loved one do with yourselves? Well, after you have a romantic dinner there are a myriad of options. For music lovers, in summer you can head to the Baths of Caracalla for an outdoor opera performance. Aida is always a favorite! In other seasons, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma always has something spectacular going on. If opera is not your preference, head to the Theater of Marcellus for classical music in the ruins of the ancient theater (through the end of September). While you are in the vicinity of the theater, be sure to take a stroll through the Jewish Ghetto -at night it is so charming. Don't miss the Fontana della Tartarughe in Piazza Mattei. Also near the theater is the...

With the economy in trouble at home and the US dollar so weak abroad, shopping in Italy has got to be about more than just the goods. It's got to be about the experience as well. Rome is full of interesting and picturesque shopping opportunities for your honeymoon or vacation. Of course, for big spenders there are the shops near the Piazza di Spagna. Granted, there are Prada stores in all the world-class cities, but when someone compliments you on your shoes or handbag, it will be much more fun to say "Thanks! I got it in Rome!"And if you are in Rome in July or January, you can take advantage of the Saldi (sales). If you are in the market for antiques, there are several options. For antique books and prints, head to the Piazza Fontanella Borghese for an open-air antiquarian market. Not only will you find works in print, but you will also encounter rare coins, stamps and even jewelry. If you are budget-conscious, any one of the city's flea markets will suit your fa...

If you are on your honeymoon or you are just in the mood for romance, you will find unlimited opportunities for charming walks in Rome. The walk from the Galleria Borghese to the Pincio , one of the most famous strolls in Rome, should be done in time to watch the sun go down over St. Peter's (pictured). For you archaeology buffs, a walk on the Palatine Hill will take you out of the crowds and into shady paths with lovely views of the Forum (and some interesting ruins-like the house of the Emperor Augustus- as well). An evening passegiata in Trastevere will inspire you to move to Rome and become a starving artist. Don't miss the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere and its namesake church, whose 12th century Byzantine mosaics are illuminated at night. If your legs are up to it, head up to Piazzale Garibaldi on the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) for the best view of Rome. Don't forget to linger by the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola. And last, if you need to get out of the hustle...

If you plan to honeymoon in Rome, there are a few restaurants that you must explore. For a splurge, try L'altro Mastai near Piazza Navona . The chef was trained at the highly acclaimed La Pergola (at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton ) and the tasting menu, ambience and service will make you swoon. For a more picturesque experience, Giggeto al Portico d'Ottavia in the Jewish Ghetto brings you face to face with the ruins of the Theater of Marcellus and the Portico Octavia while you enjoy traditional Roman-Jewish fare. If you prefer a more Bohemian atmosphere, try Sabatini in Piazza Santa Maria (pictured) in Trastevere . Not exactly a quiet romantic spot, but the heady combination of good food, people watching and the view of the piazza and its namesake 12th century church will certainly put the Roman into your romance. Readers: What's your favorite romantic restaurant in Rome?

Modern Bride magazine rates Italy as the #1 honeymoon destination in the world. And naturally Rome must be included in every Italian honeymoon. Brides.com recommends some great hotels and restaurants, including the recently renovated restaurant Casina Valadier in the Villa Borghese and the Exedra Hotel (which has a pool !). The website also recommends some fun activities such as the Casa del Jazz , a villa devoted to live music and the Citta del Gusto , a 54,000 square foot space that houses restaurants, riverside terraces, and the Gambero Rosso food TV channel-and live cooking demonstrations in a food theater! Readers: Have you honeymooned in Rome? What were your favorite activities?