From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. Your email address will not be published. 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). You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. 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. 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. Some hotels will have designated parking, either with or without an additional fee. Highlights include time in the beautiful cities of Bergamo and Turin, a visit to the most beautiful monastery in Europe and a glimpse of the most iconic cathedral in the world (seriously!) Four nights in Milan with a day trip to the Lakes OR two nights in Milan and two nights at Lake Como. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. If you're planning to visit the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, you might be looking for a list of the best things to do in Fogo. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. To avoid waiting in line, you can purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. Or, venture to Val di Funes, to hike the Adolf Munkel Weg and/or walk the Santa Maddalena Trail for gorgeous views of the Santa Maddalena church. A perfect place to buy a fresh sandwich and enjoy your time at the main square of the village. Tour starts on a Sunday. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. The train system is easy to use and efficient and you can get tickets in advance and with no extra agency charges on the official train site trenitalia.it What to pack for northern Italy Northern Italy has varied weather depending on the season and location. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. 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. The total length of this road trip is 388 miles (625 kilometers). Life moves just a little bit slower, especially up in Citt Alta, an UNESCO World Heritage site and the medieval, historic old town that rests on a hilltop overlooking the more economic center, Citt Bassa. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. Milan 2 Nights. The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). From Cortina dAmpezzo, drive over Giau Pass or Falzarego Pass to Marmolada. The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored. Whats more exciting than an Italy road trip? From the train station, take the metro to Santa Maria delle Grazie for your scheduled viewing of the Last Supper. Remember to arrive 20 minutes before your appointment. The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! 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. 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. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. 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. 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. 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). If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. 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. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. Last stop for lovers: Venice! With more time, or some modifications, you can also add in Lake Garda or more time in the Dolomites. The city is bustling, and if you dont book your tickets in advance, there might be a chance you miss out on visiting the historic Duomo. We dont want to bring too many things, because simply you dont need that much while traveling.Over the years we tested a lot of stuff, check out our full list of recommendations for packing gear and camera stuff on the recommendations pageHere are some things we recommend you to use during your Italian road trip: Lon Kopijn works and lives as a Digital Nomad. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. Italy Flights to Italy The airport is located nearby the city and offers city buses (Aerobus) which can take us to the center for 6. And the Medici Family, in particular, had significant influence at the modern banking system. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. Best Things to Do in the Dolomites (with Little to No Hiking), Things to Know When Planning a Trip to the Dolomites, Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana, 10 Days in Italy: 4 Amazing Itinerary Ideas, 10 Days in Italy: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice, 14 Days in Italy: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy, How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como, 10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 4 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy, Lake Garda Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in Lake Garda, Italy, 20 Best Places to Visit in Italy (+ Map & Photos). Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! Northern Italy has an amazingly extensive train network that connect many of the country's top destinations. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. Lots of time and effort goes on behind the scenes to keep the free resources coming, so, if you have found my website or personal help useful and want to support me. We have tons of information on the Dolomites, which you can see in our Dolomites Travel Guide. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Arrive on an empty stomach! If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. 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. The city is known for its hospitality. 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. 9 Day Custom Tour. Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. Pick up your rental car, either from the parking garage in Venice, the Mestre train station, or from the airport. But in five days you still can see a lot. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. 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. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. 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 . 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. RENTAL CAR: You can drop your rental car in Verona (and travel by train for the rest of this itinerary, which is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly option) or keep it until the end of your trip. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Hiking in the Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary. Find out more about Lon on his about page! From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. The Rialto Bridge is a covered footbridge that is lined with shops. From Florence to Rome it is about 3 to 4 hours drive. A Cost Guide. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. Your email address will not be published. Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. The cheapest option is to rent a car just for the Dolomites portion of this trip. View from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute | Northern Italy Itinerary. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. Customize your leisure days by adding excursions to your Northern Italy Itinerary. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. 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. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in 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. There is plenty to keep you busy here for three days, and the minimum amount of time that we recommend is one day in Lake Garda. If youre into hiking, watersports, or just want to experience the beauty of nature, this road trip might be something for you. To get from the airport to your hotel in Venice, you can take the bus, a taxi, a vaporetto, or a water taxi. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in Italy. So we recommend dropping your rental car when arriving at the city. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) Manage Settings We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. Its hard to fit it all into one trip, but hopefully youve found the perfect itinerary for your trip to northern Italy or at least sparks of inspiration! 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. 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. Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. Lago di Braies | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! . Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Dolomites Day 6: Dolomites Day 7: Northern end of Lake Garda (stay in Riva del Garda) Day 8: Southern end of Lake Garda (stay in Sirmione) Day 9: Verona Day 10: Milan Day 11: Lake Como day trip Day 12: Fly home. We had dinner twice at Hotel Freina and this hotel also gets exceptional reviews. 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. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. Florence was the center of trade and banking during medieval times. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. Our Florence hotel recommendations:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Florence is known as the heart of the Rennaissance. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); It is lovely to spend the night in Verona. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. Things To Do In Milan. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. Franciacorta is a territory between Bergamo and Brescia that produces sparkling wine or spumante, mostly Prosecco, Italys version of Champagne. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? 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. A few of the highlights you dont want to miss are: It is also great to visit the surrounding islandsBurano, Lido di Venezia, Murano, which is comfortable with one of the taxi boats. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. It is still busy, but starting from 10 a.m., it is getting swamped. You will have the afternoon free to do something, whether that is a hike or a scenic drive or a cable car ride. purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. Get updated hours before you go and you can learn more about how to visit this basilica in our Things to Do in Venice article. Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. 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. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. 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. Day 9 Milan. Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. Here youll find many small traditional restaurants, the best place to have a relaxing night after much walking in the city! This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. If you have a flight leaving from Marco Polo Airport (Venice), from Milan it takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to travel by train and just over 3 hours by car. It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. 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. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. 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. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Next, take the metro to the Duomo. 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. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. Verona is a great city to spend your day. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. Venice 2 Nights. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. 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. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. In this road trip, we recommend you to start in Milan and leave the country from Venice. A visit to St. Marks Basilica (once you are inside), lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, to walk through the basilica, see the Pala dOro, and take in the view from the terrace. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. Day 1 - 2: Welcome Northern Italy's Romantic and Bustling Milan. Milan is bustling, crowded, the energy is always high. And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. Yes, its a tourist experience, but its also still incredibly unique and wholesome to run away to the city and get lost in its alleys for a few days. We will skip the Dolomites during this road trip because the drive is taking to much time. Breakdown of your 2 weeks in Northern Italy Milan: 2 days Lake Como: 2 days Lake Garda: 2 days Verona: 1 day Dolomites: 5 days Venice: 2 days You can choose whether you start in Milan and end in Venice, or go in reverse. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. 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. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. Any of these itineraries can be turned into a road trip itinerary like I said, the country is best experienced by road trip! Verona 2 Nights. 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 .