Of course, Rachael did not cook for her wedding, but paid close attention to all the details, including providing the guests with a deck of cards to entertain themselves during the trip back home and a map of Tuscany.  (Related:  Ponza Island)

The wedding took place in the home of her favorite wine, Brunello di Montalcino.  Castello di Velona is a 11th century castle located close to the city of Siena on a hill with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.  The castle was also the theater of fights between the Republic of Siena and the Florence. 

How can you stay in the castle or even have your wedding there?

In 1997, the castle was bought from the original owners, restored, and converted into a luxurious boutique hotel. Castello di Velona offers the perfect setting for a special occasion such as a destination wedding, for memorable events (like family get-togethers, company parties, etc.), or just for a few days of vacation.

The hotel location is ideal for visiting many of the other wonders of Tuscany, such as Florence, Siena, Lucca, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano.

And don’t be scared by the fact that a celebrity like Rachael Ray had her wedding there, and therefore, it must be expensive.  In fact, if all you want to do is to stay there or go on your honeymoon, you can stay for as little as $250 or so, but do your research and if you are flexible with your schedule you may be able to stay at a much lower rate – when they offer packages.

Related destinations:  Milano, Italy   -   Honeymoon in Africa   -   Honeymoon in Roatan   -   Honeymoon in Fiji   -   Venice, Italy   -   St. Barths honeymoon   -    Anguilla   -    Barbados   -    Los Cabos in Mexico   -   Taos New Mexico

Photo Courtesy:  Alex Baldi Allegri