I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. 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. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article: 7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. 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! Those are all amazing places to visit! Its a cheap way to get around Venice and the views are amazing, as you cruise along the Grand Canal. This way we make sure we get the best places to stay. Tickets are often fully booked, and you need to choose a particular time slot to visit the Duomo. Mainly because there are so many medieval villages to visit. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. You can also spend the day in Alpe di Siusi, hiking or biking between the rifugios, dining on Italian food, and enjoying the view of Sassolungo. By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. This very highly rated tour has skip-the-line access to St. Marks Basilica, it includes the terrace, and it also includes Doges Palace (the next stop on todays itinerary). However, for those arriving on a red eye flight, you will have just the afternoon for sightseeing. But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. Some of these links are affiliate links. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. Lets start with the 10-day highlights! 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. However, it would be pretty tough to see this all in a week, even with a car. DOLOMITES: For links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. Portugal is not only a beautiful country but is also shockingly reasonable to live in. This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. Madonna della Corona is a church that clings to the side of a mountain. Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times). Or that you need to wait a long time in line. It is the highest mountain in this mountain range. Gondola ride for two? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. If youre someone whos embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. With more time, or some modifications, you can also add in Lake Garda or more time in the Dolomites. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. Verona 2 Nights. Theres a constant wind blowing from the mountains which makes both lakes favorable for a fun sports day on the water. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. It is on the road youll take the next day, and also it is easy to explore the best highlights of the lake with the taxi boat that leaves from this village. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). A Cost Guide. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? Also, youll stay in the northern part of the region. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. There are many accommodations to find in Varenna, but the two that stand out the most, regarding customer reviews are: You can also look for other villages to stay if you wish, but we recommend staying at the eastern side of the lake, on the road SS36. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. I switched the days since day 1 of the itinerary is a big sightseeing day and not everyone will have the time and energy for it. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Customize your leisure days by adding excursions to your Northern Italy Itinerary. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Not a big hiker? The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. We love taking pictures and videos during our travels, but also like to be organized with our stuff. Plus, having a car makes it much easier to get around Lake Garda and transfer from Riva del Garda to Sirmione, and then once in Verona, you can drop the rental car if you prefer. For this Itinerary we recommend you to start in Milan. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). Made For Travellers is best known for its in-depth articles about Rooftop Tent Traveling, Caravan Lifestyle, and cultural destinations worldwide.We also share our personal stories of escaping "the corporate rat race" and following the path to freedom, love, happiness, and a fulfilled life. We wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. On the day you drive to the Dolomites, you will save a little bit of time, since you will not have to get back to the airport to pick up the car. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. 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. The Doges Palace is located next to St. Marks Basilica. There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. Manage Settings For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Many people think this village was the scene for the movietwilight. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. The route will be slightly different. From Verona, it is easy to do the rest of the trip with public transportation. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights. Learn more here. Day 3 Florence. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you rather look up a hotel yourself we recommend using the searching tool: Tip: We only book accommodations on Booking.com that are rated with an 8.5 or higher. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. ITINERARY. 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. Fly into Milan or Bergamo airport, pick up a hire car and begin your exploration with Lake Como, the most breathtakingly beautiful expanse of water of all. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Your email address will not be published. 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. Use this link or the banner below to get a quote. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. Are you planning to travel to Italy? Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. As far as how long to spend in each place, here are my recommendations for a minimum amount of stay based on how much there is to do in each place (& my personal favorite spots! The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. So if you intend to visit the famous tourist city of Venice, you should spend an extra day or two exploring Verona also known as the city of love. Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Dolomites Day 6: Dolomites Day 7: Verona Day 8: Milan Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio Day 10: Fly Home. Depending on your departure time you can either explore the city of Milan for a second time or maybe need to go directly to the airport. We also find that their customer service is excellent. Required fields are marked *. Among the Northern cities are Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice and Como, all within a 400 km straight line. As you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal for the iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs. Day 7 Lake Garda - Sirmione. Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Your email address will not be published. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. For this afternoon, we recommend something short and not too far away: Lagazuoi to the Falzarego Pass or the Cinque Torri with the optional add on Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. The city itself is not that big. We recommend staying in the town of Varenna, which is the easiest to reach, and on the road, youll need to follow the next day. Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. 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. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. 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. You will stay in Venice for two nights. To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Savoia, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel in Cortina. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. Day 1: Arrive in Milan (sleep in Milan) Day 2: Milan to Lake Como (sleep in Varenna) Day 3: Lake Como (sleep in Varenna) Day 4: To the Dolomites via Verona (sleep in Bolzano or Castelrotto) Day 5: Dolomites (sleep in Bolzano or Castelrotto) Day 6: To Venice (sleep in Venice) Day 7: Venice (sleep in Venice) I do not recommend making big plans today (no St. Marks Basilica or Doges Palace visits) because you might be exhausted. Sirmione is a historic town on a peninsula at the lake. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. 9 Day Custom Tour. As you stroll through Venice, go shopping, have a glass of wine or aperitif at a caf, snack on cicchetti, or hire a gondola. Italy All Italy Hotels It's the world's largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning! You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. I would only use the bus option if you are opting for a slow travel itinerary and have lots of time to spend in Italy, this way you save money but arent wasting half your vacation trying to figure out the buses. If you arrive in the morning on a red eye flight, this first day can be challenging. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 $150, Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 $300, Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $300+. If you like hiking, we highly recommend the Croda da Lago Circuit, Lago di Sorapis, and the Cinque Torri + Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau, if you didnt do that yesterday. Curious for more ideas? Verona is located in northern Italy, about 110km from the romantic city of Venice. North Italy itinerary for 14 days. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. Manage Settings View from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute | Northern Italy Itinerary. Venice 2 Nights. Make it easier to visit using my Lake Como budget tips, but dont be afraid to indulge in visiting its most romantic places like Villa del Balbianello and the town of Bellagio. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. We also have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. You can either day trip from Milan, just visiting Lake Como for the day, spending another night in Milan. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Start as far west as possible in Courmayeur to visit Mont Blanc and the Val Ferret. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. Artist likeMichaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Machiavellilived and worked in the city of Florence.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Florence is probably the city with the most historic architecture in Italy. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. I also recommend asking your hotel for the best way to get to the hotel. All the major cities on our 10 day Italy travel itinerary were accessible by public transportation, and the train . The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Map for your Northern Italy road trip When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. There is truly so much to do and see that one trip may not be enough, which is why I have curated 5 northern Italy itineraries that play to certain strengths: one for those who want to see the most famous locations, one for outdoor adventurers, one for city-lovers, one for couples, and one for foodies, so you experience a little bit of everything. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. 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. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! For a full list of things to do, check out our Guide to Verona, but the top sights include Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena, Ponte Pietra, Torre dei Lamberti, and Juliettes House. Leave a comment! You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. Milan 2 Nights. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. You can avoid the 5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use. 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! In the morning, check out of your hotel. However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. Northern Italy is the most developed part of the country, so transportation is easy-to-access and can take you just about anywhere. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. Hiking in the Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. We recommend using rentalcover. Northern Italy has an amazingly extensive train network that connect many of the country's top destinations. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Id also like to see Lake Como, Lake Guardia, Dolomites and Piedmont but know we cant fit it all in and Im ok with making another trip some day. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. The 922-passenger ship is the first of six planned eco-conscious vessels that will sail six- to 35-night immersive itineraries, first in Northern Europe and then in South America, and feature nine inclusive dining experiences, four pools (one with a tractable roof), and 10 bars and lounges (several featuring hand-crafted Steinway pianos . Here are some foods to try in every region on this itinerary: Starting in Piemonte, the speciality is one of the most expensive and luxurious foods in the world: truffles! Milan to Florence is a great road trip, where you see the best parts the Tuscany and Cinque Terre region. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the canals of Venice. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. Here are some suggestions: Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto! Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. Our road trip itineraries cover the different highlights in this part of the country. Just be aware that they charge a 5 booking fee to use their website. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. WorldNomadsinsurance is what we feel is the most comprehensive and reliable travel insurance you can buy. These suggestions for your time in Venice follows our 2 Day in Venice Itinerary, starting with day 2 and then doing day 1. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. There is so much to find in Rome, historic building, culture, and great food! In Pisa, youll stay overnight. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. However, during this trip, you dont have that much time to explore the most significant hiking trails. Again, expect long lines here. 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. 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. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. Both beginning in the vibrant city of Milan, you cannot go wrong with either itinerary and you're sure to fall in love with this incredible area of the country. But if you like, you can explore the city. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. This way youll spend your time in the most efficient way possible. Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. ITALY YOUTUBE CLIPS. If you have longer, great! Lagazuoi, Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary, The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the Tofana cable car | Northern Italy Itinerary. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. Geisler Alm, Adolf Munkel Weg | Northern Italy Itinerary. This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. 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). It is a beautiful drive, especially the final 45-minutes, as you drive along winding roads into the mountains. If you dont want to spend four days in the Dolomites, you can take out a day and add it to Venice or spend a day at Lake Garda. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. Answer 11 of 13: I'm planning a 10-day trip and would like an opinion on the following itinerary: Day 1 Arrive in Milan AM, Rent Car Drive to Lake Como - 1 Hour Lake Como Day 2 Lake Como. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. If you are having trouble narrowing down which places are the top to visit for you or youre starting from scratch seeking inspiration, youll find the perfect northern Italy itinerary for you in this post, along with tips for visiting this part of the country. As for picking up your rental car, you can do it on day 1, if you are arriving to the Venice airport. The Dolomites looks like a small area on a map, but there is a LOT to do here. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. Built-in 30 AD and today still used as a concert venue. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. Check out more in-depth locations for the perfect city-break itinerary to northern Italy on the map: Its no secret Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world to visit, so Ive also curated a North Italy itinerary perfect for couples, whether on honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a romantic trip. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience.