Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. Pick up the car ideally between 8 and 9 am (but even earlier is better), to give yourself as much time as possible in the Dolomites. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. 6.2 Lake Garda - 2 days. Lines can be long to enter it, but it is worth it, both to see the golden interior and to stand on the terrace for a view across St. Marks Square. PRO TRAVEL TIP: You will use the ferry to get between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, so you arent missing out on anything by not cruising from Como to Bellagio. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days Things To Do In Milan. Rome is a special city to visit. When you would rather looking for other accommodation, make sure to use this link, which will direct you to the best deals in Milan on Booking.com. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Madonna della Corona is a church that clings to the side of a mountain. For information on renting a car, including rental car fees, drop fees, and things to know ahead of time, take a look at our article Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe. In the afternoon, you can also stroll through the Dorsoduro neighborhood and/or ride a gondola through the canals of Venice. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Heres a more in-depth look at how to get around northern Italy: There are both national train lines and regional train lines, meaning you are well-connected between the major cities and there are also options to reach smaller towns. Those are all amazing places to visit! What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? Leave a comment! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. You could definitely tailor this Northern Italy itinerary to be only 7 days. We recommend using rentalcover. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. Italy All Italy Hotels Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Drive to Milan Day 6: Lake Como day trip Day 7: Fly home. Last stop for lovers: Venice! Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. During this road trip, we planned a half-day in Cinque Terre, but if you want to spend more time along these coastal towns, you can skip Genoa or Parma in this itinerary. But in five days you still can see a lot. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. View from Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, Malcesine, Lake Garda. I'm Michela, a travel photographer living in northern Italy with a passion for empowering wanderlusting women like you to travel fearlessly and start living their travel dream. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! If you take the train to Varenna, you will have less travel time, which you can then use for a private boat tour of the villas. Northern Italy Road Trip: Stop 1 - Milan Milan, in Italy's Lombardy region, is a unique blend of historical architecture, contemporary skyscrapers and well-known as a fashionista's Italian city of choice. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. If youre hoping to visit many places that arent major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car. WorldNomadsinsurance is what we feel is the most comprehensive and reliable travel insurance you can buy. Instead the meals are heartier, which reflect the lifestyle of people living here: industrial workers or those living in the Alps having to face long winters. Known for its iconic leaning tower. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. After you woke up and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views, it is time to hit the road again. However, the travel time is the longest. Some of these links are affiliate links. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. Verona is located in northern Italy, about 110km from the romantic city of Venice. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. Day 1 - 2: Welcome Northern Italy's Romantic and Bustling Milan. We also have guides about How to Visit St. Marks Basilica, where to get the Best Views of Venice, and how to spend Two Days in Venice. If you cant reserve a time slot on the official website, here is a one hour tour that includes your admission to see the Last Supper.. Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. Curious for more ideas? If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. Our first trip we visited Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Genoa/Cinque Terre. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. The stops on this north Italy itinerary include: Youll probably start this itinerary in Milano, given that the most major airports are located just outside the city. Now, it is a museum. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. From the views, to the quiet harbor, to the unreal swimming spots like Lord Byrons Grotto and the untouched beaches of Palmeria Island, its a lovers paradise and exudes Italian charm. DAY 5: Beautiful city of Verona DAY 6: Majestic Lake Garda DAY 7: Emilia Romagna, foodie's paradise DAY 8: Parma, gastronomy day DAY 9: Maranello (Ferrari and fun cooking) DAY 10: Gastronomic capital Bologna DAY 11: Ravenna and its UNESCO world heritage sites In Pisa, youll stay overnight. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. The cheapest option is to rent a car just for the Dolomites portion of this trip. Below is my recommended 7 day itinerary for Northern Italy which covers the highlights and must-see cities. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. To avoid waiting in line, you can purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. At the end of the day, we recommend to leave Venice, hop in your car and drive to Florence, which is still a 3-hour drive. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. It is also convenient to book a guided tour in the park and its surroundings, that way you make sure youll get the best things to see in the short amount of time. We chose for Milan as a starting point because it is easy to reach, either flying or overland. And they really are wonders - this is the land of the cathedral-like Dolomites, the actual cathedrals of Milan, and the glistening Italian Lakes, after all. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. Bologna is a big university city. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days. Day 4 Stresa and Orta San Giulio. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. A Cost Guide. Next, take the metro to the Duomo. You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. Verona 2 Nights. Your email address will not be published. Or, you can take a train from Verona to Milan (roughly 1.5 hours with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $27 USD). Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. Your email address will not be published. Plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours in both Varenna and Bellagio. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. The Tuscany of northern Italy? But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. View from the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail | Northern Italy Itinerary. This road trip through a small part of the countryside of Tuscany will take up the whole day, but it is probably the best drive youll have during the entire trip. The route will be slightly different. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. Sirmione is a historic town on a peninsula at the lake. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. The city itself is not that big. Check online for details. People. A Northern Italy itinerary From the canals of Venice to the mighty Dolomites and the stunning Italian Riviera, there's so much to see and experience in this part of the country, so not everything is included in this list. Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Your email address will not be published. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. This is our second trip. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. We had dinner twice at Hotel Freina and this hotel also gets exceptional reviews. Lago di Braies is a beautiful lake to visit and great for families and those who dont want to do a lot of hiking. Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. If you head out on your adventure using one of these itineraries or have questions for curating a totally customized itinerary, share with me Id love to hear how your trip has gone or help you further plan your dream northern Italy itinerary! Bologna 2 Nights. So when you want to save some money, dont go to a traditional Gondola, but hop-on a taxi boat. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. I highly suggest taking a look at the embedded maps to discover places worth adding to your itinerary based on the amount of time you have available. In five days youll visit the three biggest lakes in Italy before heading back to the vibrant city of Milan.Note; the road from Lake Maggiore to Lake Como takes you a few miles through Switzerland. The Dolomites looks like a small area on a map, but there is a LOT to do here. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. Our itineraries focus on four of the eight regions of northern Italy: Emilia-Romagna (Bologna and Ferrara), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Udine and Trieste), Lombardy (Milan and Bergamo), and Veneto (Venice, Verona, and Vicenza). Bus travel is also an option, but comes with its own challenges: one, understanding regional bus routes in a short period of time, and two, using coach buses means youll get dropped off in one spot and you dont have much freedom to travel around. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. The Best Guide to Val Brembana: How to Visit this Underrated Corner , The Best Weekend in Edinburgh Itinerary You Need to Steal, Mid-range price compared to bus and rental car travel, Well-connected between cities and towns (regional trains), Can be super cheap & is overall less expensive, Takes time to understand routes of regional or city buses. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Not a big hiker? The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Places you dont want to miss while visiting Florence are: When you want to visit the Duomo, you must reserve a ticket in advance. You can either wander the canals on your own or take a walking tour. I live in northern Italy, so the area not only has a special place in my heart, but Ive also happened to travel all around it! When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Tour starts on a Sunday. Day 7 Lake Garda - Sirmione. Sienais renowned for the largest medieval square and the famous Torre del Mangia. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Hiking in the Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. This 17 km (10.6 mile) hike takes 6 to 9 hours and starts in Selva di Val Gardena. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. This way, you have enough time to explore the highlights in Milan. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. With the Northern Italy Highlights 10 days itinerary youll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. If youre into hiking, watersports, or just want to experience the beauty of nature, this road trip might be something for you. Cultural Exploration Family Tour of Northern Italy. Planning the best order of visiting these places will depend on what airport you end up flying into, as well as what day your business meeting falls on! And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. In some places, we recommend staying two nights, so it is more relaxed, and you allow yourself to really get to know the city or village. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. And during the night, most tourists left the historic center, so its much quieter. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. The entrance of the park is around 3,5 hours drive from Varenna. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. Our website uses cookies. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). (Psst! Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. Hopefully, youll never use it, but when you need it, it is good to know theres a company out there helping you. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? They'are also a top destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers from all over the world. purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. The city is busy, and most roads are one direction only. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. Milan Lake Como Cinque Terre Venice Dolomites Highlights