Answer 11 of 11: 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. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. Lago di Braies is a beautiful lake to visit and great for families and those who dont want to do a lot of hiking. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. The big Italian big four road trip. Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. Italy All Italy Hotels The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. Grand Canal of Venice from T Fondaco Terrace | Northern Italy Itinerary. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. 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. 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. From this bridge, you get another iconic view of Venice and the Grand Canal. Which one you choose really depends if you want to cruise up Lake Como or just get to Varenna as quickly as possible. You can avoid the 5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. View from Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, Malcesine, Lake Garda. Once at Passo Pordoi, you have the option to ride the cable car to Sass Pordoi, for more big views of the Dolomites, and to hike to Piz Bo, one of the easiest 3,000+ meter peaks to summit in the Dolomites (5.3 km/3.3 miles, 2 to 4 hours). We have tons of information on the Dolomites, which you can see in our Dolomites Travel Guide. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. Made For Travellers is compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. 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. 7.2 Verona - 2 days. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. Hi there! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal for the iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs. Parma is a city that will surprise you. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. 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. The entrance of the park is around 3,5 hours drive from Varenna. We wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. Theres a constant wind blowing from the mountains which makes both lakes favorable for a fun sports day on the water. Manage Settings The city is known for its hospitality. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. Ill be recommending the stops on the itineraries in a certain order, but not necessarily saying you should be spending one day here and two days there. Travel west to another of northern Italy's fabled lakesLake Orta and spend the morning discovering the medieval lakeside town of Orta San Giulio.Set on the water's edge overlooking a picturesque island, the town is a delightful maze of cobblestoned streets and pastel-colored homes that date back centuries. Sienais renowned for the largest medieval square and the famous Torre del Mangia. We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. In the morning, travel to Milan. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. 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. Parmawill be the last city on this itinerary before you head back to Milan. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. In the evening, have dinner. From Florence to Rome it is about 3 to 4 hours drive. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. Made For Travellers is a participant in the ShareASale and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other websites. Which itinerary is on your bucket list? You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? . 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! Gondola ride for two? Franciacorta. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. 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 cheapest option is to rent a car just for the Dolomites portion of this trip. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. It is a beautiful drive, especially the final 45-minutes, as you drive along winding roads into the mountains. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. Milan - 2-3 nights. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. Once in Milan, the main things to do include a visit to the Duomo (walking on the rooftop is an awesome experience), seeing DaVincis Last Supper, and visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. 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 more details about this day, refer to day 1 of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. Where to stay in Milan. Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. 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. By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino. I've also offered options to add on other locations if you're travelling for longer too or adding Italy to part of a longer Europe itinerary . It is the highest mountain in this mountain range. Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. 10 Day Custom Tour. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. This article does a great job describing the numerous options, which can be overwhelming to choose from. Rome is a special city to visit. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. The basics are the same as the 10-day itinerary for Northern Italy, but we added more stops and more time for sightseeing and exploring. Verona 2 Nights. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. Our northern Italy itinerary, 7 days from the Alps to Milan, is all about exploring the wonders that lie at the top end of the boot. Florence was the center of trade and banking during medieval times. Day 3 Florence. From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. 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. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. Your email address will not be published. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. Lake Maggiore is in the second largest lake in Italy, and also crosses the border with Switzerland. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. Our website uses cookies. When you still have time for exploring, we recommend dropping your rental car at the drop-off and head to the city center. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. This 17 km (10.6 mile) hike takes 6 to 9 hours and starts in Selva di Val Gardena. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Tickets are often fully booked, and you need to choose a particular time slot to visit the Duomo. After heading to the sea, return to the mountains around the area of Bergamo. Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. From Verona, it is easy to do the rest of the trip with public transportation. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. Our first recommendation is that you start in Milan. With this guide, you will discover the perfect Northern Italy itinerary including fashionable Milan, colorful fishing villages, breath-taking Alpine vistas, gorgeous lakes, wine-clad slopes, and Venice's palazzos. 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). If you have less time and want to see a lot, plan out your transportation well and get ready for days jam-packed with things to do and breathtaking places to see! It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. But if you like, you can explore the city. Polenta is a versatile grain made plain, with cheese or as Polenta Contadina, made with cheese, spinach, and local sausage. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. You can find them on our recommendations page, or scroll down and read the plan your trip part in this article. People. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Savoia, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel in Cortina. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Arrive on an empty stomach! Here are some in-depth guides to help you plan exactly what to do in each destination: Check out this Google Maps Trip Planner with extra itinerary suggestions: Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the Italian Alps. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! Learn more here. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) 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. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. Unless you have a late afternoon flight, you will either have to leave very early in the morning or travel to Venice the night of day 9. Check out the map with extra suggestions: I could go on and on about all of the beautiful places to visit in northern Italy, but this post would then be at least 10,000 words. 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! In Pisa, youll stay overnight. Day 9 Milan. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Your last stop on this itinerary is tapping into a bit of central Italy territory, but it is a must stop for foodies. Not to worry. I recommend starting on Riva degli Schiavoni, which is a wide promenade that runs along the Venetian Lagoon. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. With more time, or some modifications, you can also add in Lake Garda or more time in the Dolomites. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. Where To Stay In Milan. 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. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. The biggest lake in Italy and Europe. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. 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. You could definitely tailor this Northern Italy itinerary to be only 7 days. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. It just depends on what you feel is more convenient. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. Lake Como and Bellagio are two more beautiful places in Italy that are great day trip destinations. 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. Built-in 30 AD and today still used as a concert venue. You can easily make it everywhere in Florence by walking, but public transportation is available if you need it. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. Bologna is a big university city. ITALY YOUTUBE CLIPS. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. On this full day in Venice, you will visit some of the most popular tourist attractions: St. Marks Basilica, the Doges Palace, and St. Marks Square. 5 Northern Italy Itineraries You Should Steal The Bucket List Northern Italy Itinerary If you're someone who's embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. Find out more about Lon on his about page! See itinerary. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Italy in Spring guide coming soon!). From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in Italy. There are lots of restaurants located in and around St. Marks Square but most of these are overpriced and mediocre. A Cost Guide. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. North Italy itinerary for 14 days. After a few days in Venice, youll spend four days exploring the Dolomites, a world-class hiking destination filled with some of the best outdoor scenery in all of Europe. From Varenna, it is easy to explore the lake.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The villages around the lake are great to explore, but Lake Como is renowned for its beautiful nature. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda.