I Tried Dua Lipa's Honeymoon Route Through Italy—and You Can Too for Less

When Dua Lipa posted photos from her honeymoon with Callum Turner this summer, I felt like I was scrolling through my own trip. Sicily, the Roman coast, the peach-toned La Posta Vecchia palazzo, the tiny Tuscan port of Porto Ercole—I had visited almost every stop just weeks earlier. My version involved fewer designer outfits and yachts, and one overnight ferry where my boyfriend turned green. But the bones of the journey were the same: a stunning coastal loop through Italy's lesser-known gems, the kind of route savvy travelers keep to themselves.

The genius of this itinerary is that it hugs the coastline, offering changing scenery without complicated logistics. It works for a two-week summer holiday, but you can adapt it to any budget. Start in Palermo, gritty and beautiful, then explore Scopello's famous cove and tuna museum for under $30. Instead of driving north, catch an overnight ferry to Naples—cabins start around $40 and include restaurants, bars, and even a pool. From there, pop into the Amalfi Coast for a night at Monastero Santa Rosa, a 17th-century monastery turned hotel that delivers the fantasy without the crowds.

Continue to the Roman coast for La Posta Vecchia, J. Paul Getty's former hideaway with iconic yellow umbrellas and a vaulted indoor pool. Then head to Porto Ercole, where I stayed at the contemporary La Roqqa with its Caravaggio-themed cocktails and rooftop bar. Finish in Rome, where new hotels like La Minerva and Palazzo Talìa offer style and history. Dua and I may not travel exactly the same way—I had more ferry snacks—but this route proves Italy's magic doesn't need a celebrity endorsement. It just needs you to go.