The dress code is Garden Party! For the ladies, we recommend mid to full-length dresses in light breathable fabrics. For the men, dress pants, button downs, and a jacket, no tie necessary (but not discouraged). We have included an inspiration board to help you. (Garden Party Inspiration)

Italian Casual! For the ladies, we recommend flowing sundresses, linen pants with elegant tops, or casual midi dresses in light, breathable fabrics. For the men, linen or cotton pants (chinos work great), short or long-sleeve button downs (feel free to skip the jacket), and loafers or leather sandals.

We have included an inspiration board to help you! (Italian Casual Inspiration)

There are several agriturismi nearby Nikis that you can book a room at.

• Agriturismo La Pomifera

• Agriturismo Eden Green 

We have booked a room block at La Pomifera, for the 6th-9th

Also, two AirBnB’s

• Airbnb Appartamento Shari

• Immerso nella natura - Appartamento "Agnes"

This largely depends on what airport you are landing in. Check the Itinerary page for more info.

“To have an ‘A’ trip, be an ‘A’ student.“ - Rick Steves

All of our travels have been prefaced with hours of research and searching. Every single time we have had a great trip, it has been from our utilization of Rick Steves’ books. Do yourself a favor and get his book on Italy and comb through the cities that you are interested in, you won’t regret it.

Alright, let’s begin. Italy is incredible, and you're in for a treat. Since you'll be in Umbria for the wedding, here are some of our favorite nearby experiences that are perfect for first-timers:

Must-See Cities:

• Florence - Absolutely unmissable. Spend at least 2-3 days exploring the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and wandering the streets. Don't miss a spritz or the steak.

• Siena - A charming medieval hilltop town with stunning architecture and the famous Piazza del Campo (extra special to us—we got engaged here!).

• Assisi - A beautiful hilltop town rich with history. Learn about St. Francis and the Franciscan monks, visit the stunning Basilica, and grab lunch at La Bottega Dei Sapori we had amazing sandwiches there from the nicest man.

• Rome - If you have time, the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel are bucket-list worthy.

Food Experiences You Can't Miss:

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina - Massive, perfectly-cooked Florentine steak (try it at The Antico Ristoro di Cambi in Florence)

• Fresh handmade pasta - Look for small family-run trattorias, especially in Umbria and Tuscany

• Piazza del Campo, Siena - Enjoy the spacious piazza where we got engaged and learn a little about the yearly horse race here. Arrive around sunset for a drink and you’ll get a light snack too.

• Hilltop wine towns - Visit Montalcino, or Montepulciano for wine tasting with incredible views

• Aperitivo culture - Evening drinks with complimentary snacks—a must-do Italian tradition

Art, History & Architecture:

• The cathedrals are stunning throughout Italy. Each region has its own style. Don't miss the Duomo in Florence, Siena's striped cathedral, and the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

• Smaller museums often have shorter lines and incredible collections. Consider the Bargello Museum in Florence or Galleria dell'Accademia (home of Michelangelo's David). But don’t miss the Birth of Venus in the Uffizi!

Food & Coffee Culture—What to Expect:

If you're used to Italian-American food, authentic Italian cuisine will feel refreshingly different:

• Smaller portions, multiple courses - Meals are structured into courses (antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, dolce) with modest portions focused on quality over quantity. Don't expect a giant plate piled high with pasta!​

• Simpler, lighter sauces - Italian sauces are lighter and let the pasta and fresh ingredients shine, rather than drowning everything in heavy cream or tomato sauce.

• No chicken on pasta - Italians rarely mix meat like chicken with pasta. Dishes like chicken alfredo or chicken parm don't exist in traditional Italian cuisine. Pasta is served with vegetables, seafood, or simple sauces, while meat comes separately.​

• Cheese is an accent, not a blanket - Cheese is used sparingly to complement dishes, not cover them.​

• Pizza is personal-sized and thin - Expect thin-crust pizzas with minimal toppings, fresh mozzarella, and light sauce, meant to be eaten with a knife and fork.​

• No garlic bread - What Americans know as garlic bread doesn't exist here. You might get bruschetta (grilled bread with olive oil and fresh toppings) instead.​

Coffee Culture:

• Espresso is the default - When you order "un caffè," you'll get a shot of espresso, not a large cup

• Cappuccino is for breakfast only - Italians don't drink milky coffee after 11am (it's considered too heavy for digestion after meals)

• Coffee is a quick affair - Italians drink their espresso standing at the bar in about 2 minutes, not sitting for an hour. Sitting down often costs more!

• No to-go cups - Coffee isn't meant to be portable; it's a moment to pause and reset

Meal Timing:

• Lunch is typically 1-3pm, dinner starts around 8pm or later

• Meals are slow and meant to be savored—embrace the pace and enjoy the experience​

• Don't expect to rush through dinner; it's a social event that can last 2-3 hours

Pro Tips:

• Book museum tickets in advance to skip the lines

• Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be walking on cobblestones

• Learn a few basic Italian phrases, the locals really appreciate the effort!

• Trust the regional specialties. Each area does certain dishes best

• Try to avoid modifications or substitutions; the chef knows what works

The most direct way that we recommend is flying into Rome FCO and renting a car from there.

Perugia is closer, but there are fewer flights into the airport. Florence is about the same distance as Rome, but it is a smaller airport, often requiring at least one layover.

Checkout the travel page for more info.

It can be hot! We were here in the summer of 2025, and it was low 80’s, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it was in the 90’s. All the rooms at Nikis and local accommodations have A/C.

Our celebration will be from July 6th-9th, but you are welcome to stay in the area for as long as you like!

July 6th and 7th will be filled with adventure and celebration! We have purposefully left the 8th open just in case our guests would like to relax by the pool or explore Umbria.

Most Italians speak great English! But we recommend learning the more basic Italian phrases for getting around and having polite interactions. That often helps the transition from Italian into English.