To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. 7.2 Verona - 2 days. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. Spend the afternoon by hiking one of the nearby trails. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. Learn how to spend one perfect day in Verona. This has the advantage of not packing and unpacking again, and if you have a flight home from Milan tomorrow, you will already be in town. A perfect place to buy a fresh sandwich and enjoy your time at the main square of the village. You will stay in Venice for two nights. Days 1-2: Lake Maggiore Piedmont Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, there are 5 major lakes in Northern Italy: Maggiore, Orta, Como, Iseo and Garda. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. 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. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. 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. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. On our first trip to the Dolomites, we had three days and once there, we wished we had a lot more time. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. Today, you have several options to choose from. If you like skiing, this northern Italy itinerary works well from December through March, when the Dolomites become one of the best places in Europe to go skiing. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. 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. We have tons of information on the Dolomites, which you can see in our Dolomites Travel Guide. Medici Family,who invented modern banking, but also a few popes came from this family. When you still have time for exploring, we recommend dropping your rental car at the drop-off and head to the city center. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. . One of our favourite Northern Italy itineraries calls for a leisurely weekend in Northern Italy focused around the Italian Lakes, a popular stop on the European grand tour. Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. They made these islands in the beautiful botanical gardens which they are now. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. Last stop for lovers: Venice! During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Venice 2 Nights. Four nights in Milan with a day trip to the Lakes OR two nights in Milan and two nights at 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. I recommend for anyone visiting the Italian Alps either rent a car or plan to book a tour that handles transportation throughout the days activities. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. If you have longer, great! We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. Bologna 2 Nights. The basilica does not open until 9:30 am, but we recommend getting here at 9 am, or even a little earlier, to avoid a long wait in line. To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. This park in the heart of the Dolomites is probably the best stop for a day visit. 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. Your seat on this tour is just a click away! Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. Lago di Braies is a beautiful lake to visit and great for families and those who dont want to do a lot of hiking. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. As for picking up your rental car, you can do it on day 1, if you are arriving to the Venice airport. 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. Italy Flights to Italy However, we recommend you to drive a few hours to Venice during the evening and stay overnight in Venice. Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. Take the time to purchase the Firenze card right away. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. For this itinerary, it is best to rent a car. There is still plenty to do here that involves little to no hiking. Your email address will not be published. Northern Italy Itinerary - 8. Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times). From Cortina dAmpezzo, drive over Giau Pass or Falzarego Pass to Marmolada. 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. 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!) 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary 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 Northern Italy itinerary map About this Northern Italy Itinerary For full details on how to do this, refer to our Lake Como Day Trip guide and Things to Do in Bellagio. Restaurant Terrazza Danieli. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. The cover photo for this itinerary was also taken at Lago di Braies. But the advantage is that you can stay overnight in Florence, and the next day has all day to exploring another historic city.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'madefortravellers_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-leader-1-0'); It is a bit difficult to drive into the city center of Florence. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. DAY 2: Exploring Venice DAY 3: Off the beaten path Venice DAY 4: Palladio Day! Milan can be a great starting point too. With many historical buildings, it is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. So we recommend staying at the outside center ring, which makes it easy to park your car. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. WorldNomadsinsurance is what we feel is the most comprehensive and reliable travel insurance you can buy. To get here, you will park in town and it is a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) downhill walk to the church (or you can take a bus). From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. Geisler Alm, Adolf Munkel Weg | Northern Italy Itinerary. From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. Known for its iconic leaning tower. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. 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.. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $15 to $60, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Public transport in Florence is perfect, so the next day you dont have any problems reaching the city center. This is a more expensive option, since daily rental fees typically cost more than train tickets, plus you will have the added parking fees and hassle of parking in Verona and Milan. The city itself is not that big. If you dont want to go hiking on your first day, and the skies are clear, ride the Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana. Those are all amazing places to visit! 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. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. Now, it is a museum. Milan - 2-3 nights. 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 months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. Just be aware that they charge a 5 booking fee to use their website. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. 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.. 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. Travel insurance is essential for your belongings and healthcare while traveling. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The airport is located nearby the city and offers city buses (Aerobus) which can take us to the center for 6. On a privately guided journey that reveals Italy's splendours at their most compelling, enjoy a special early entrance to the Vatican, view the artistic treasures of Florence, learn about an art restoration project and sample Italian cuisine with tastings in Tuscany and a food tour in Venice. Some of these links are affiliate links. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in Italy. And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. While youll easily be able to get from city to city and even towns using regional trains, going through the mountains will mean there are less stops and train options, or there may just be no option at all. Gondola ride for two? The big Italian big four road trip. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia. They arent as cheap as buses, but theyre less expensive than renting a car. Not to worry. We also find that their customer service is excellent. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. Find out more about Lon on his about page! 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 one of our favorite cities in Italy! Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. With more time, you can add extra days to Venice, the Dolomites, or Lake Como. 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 . This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. The terrace is free to visit and you have a great view overlooking the Grand Canal. See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. This way we make sure we get the best places to stay. You can find more information about Tuscany in this article, where we tell more about the different villages in this region. We've only ever traveled by public transportation in Italy and so that's how we designed these itineraries. 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. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. Nowadays it has the third biggest harbor in the Mediterranean Sea. But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. It may look like I put a lot of time into the Dolomites (because I did ). Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Lake Maggiore is in the second largest lake in Italy, and also crosses the border with Switzerland. For more information on how to do this, click here. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. Then, ride the cable car to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. 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! Curious for more ideas? Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. All the major cities on our 10 day Italy travel itinerary were accessible by public transportation, and the train . To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and it sits between the Dolomites and Milan. Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days. However, if you like the idea of visiting Lake Garda, here is a sample itinerary, if you have 12 days in Italy. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. From here, you get one of the best views of Venice, and it is a nice way to start your visit to this city. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. Continue with Recommended Cookies. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. Exploring Venice by day is great, but you need to decide what things you definitely want to see. If you enjoy hiking, put as many days as you can in the Dolomites (in our opinion, its a better use of time than adding on Lake Garda, mentioned next). It's the world's largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning! In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Italy All Italy Hotels 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. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. 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. From Milan, you can travel by train to Varenna (about 1 hour) or travel by train to Como (about 45 minutes) and then take a ferry to Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna (about 45 minutes). But this is more expensive, since you are paying for 2 days of a rental car plus parking fees. Answer 11 of 12: 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. Day 6 To Lake Garda. Its worth a visit! You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. On the second day you drive to Lake Como, but thats only around 2 hours drive. Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. Then head over to the Dolomites: the most unique of mountains with jagged grey peaks surrounded by the absolutely stunning valleys and green hills of Trentino Alto-Adige. 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. Next, take the metro to the Duomo. And during the night, most tourists left the historic center, so its much quieter. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. The Dolomites looks like a small area on a map, but there is a LOT to do here. 14 days or even longer is perfect for a road trip. Here youll find many small traditional restaurants, the best place to have a relaxing night after much walking in the city! Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. It is a beautiful drive, especially the final 45-minutes, as you drive along winding roads into the mountains. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. 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. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. I do not recommend making big plans today (no St. Marks Basilica or Doges Palace visits) because you might be exhausted. 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. 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. Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Today youll travel to Lake Garda. ), or visit on a guided tour. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. Keep in mind that Milan Bergamo is about an hour outside of Milan. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. Franciacorta is a territory between Bergamo and Brescia that produces sparkling wine or spumante, mostly Prosecco, Italys version of Champagne. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. The Rialto Bridge is a covered footbridge that is lined with shops. Sign me up for the newsletter & access to resources from The Travel Library! We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. The northern part of Italy is renowned for its beautiful mountain lakes. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. The city is known for its hospitality. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! Verona is the ultimate city of romance in Italy: the setting of Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet, made up of rose-hued buildings and castles nestled over the Adige River. Three rocky islands that were bought by the Borromean family centuries ago. Italy in Spring guide coming soon!). Learn more here. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. If youre working with a 10 day northern Italy trip, you can make it simple by spending two days in each place, or do as Im suggesting using Milan and Venice as your home bases to explore more with day trips. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. 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. However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. You wont reach the Tuscany region. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Day 10 Milan. 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. 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). By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy.