It's not the first trip the new couple have embarked upon together: retired footballer Johnson, 30, recently took Simpson along to Jacksonville,Prada, Fla., for his grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary.
The single-no-more star stepped out on the posh Italian island of Capri on Friday (her big 3-0 is Saturday) hand-in-hand with Eric Johnson, her beau of five weeks. As this exclusively reveals, Johnson affectionately kept his hands on Simpson's shoulders as they took in the sights.
Looks like Jessica Simpson is celebrating her 30th birthday with European style -- and romance!
PHOTOS: Gift ideas for Jess' 30th birthday
PHOTOS: How Jess overshares on Twitter
During the Jacksonville trip, Johnson and Simpson packed on the PDA at the low-key,Lyle&Scott, modest Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. "Her hand was on his butt," an observer says. "They looked cute together."
"Jess is definitely rushing into this," an insider tells Us of Johnson. One hitch? Johnson is still legally married to Keri, his wife of five years (he filed for divorce in January).
PHOTOS: Other star-and-athlete pairs
For more details on Simpson's new fast-track romance, why she's "desperate" not be alone, her new man's "player" rep and more, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, out now.
Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly