If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. Santuario Madonna della Corona | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. For this itinerary, you will get around by rental car and train. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Its worth a visit! It is always fun to explore a city for the second time. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Hi there! We recommend taking the scenic route, though. 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. Mainly because there are so many medieval villages to visit. Did you know the famous tower straightens every year? In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. From Verona, it is easy to do the rest of the trip with public transportation. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. In the morning, check out of your hotel. There are some splendid botanical gardens and excellent hiking trails around the lake. Lago di Braies is a beautiful lake to visit and great for families and those who dont want to do a lot of hiking. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. However, you will have more travel time tomorrow to get to the airport. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. 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. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. 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. 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. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. Last stop for lovers: Venice! This is our second trip. It starts in Venice and ends in Milan, but it can just as easily be done in the opposite direction. Map for your Northern Italy road trip But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. Bologna is a big university city. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Which one you choose really depends if you want to cruise up Lake Como or just get to Varenna as quickly as possible. Not to worry. We parked here on one of our visits to Venice. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! Our northern Italy itinerary became: Venice Florence Milan Lake Como Lake Maggiore. Your email address will not be published. After you woke up and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views, it is time to hit the road again. If you decide to avoid the toll roads, which is a more scenic route along the western coastline of Italy, it will take you even around 5 hours. Gondola ride for two? 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.. 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. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. Once you have checked into your hotel, have a quick lunch and then make your way to the Rialto Bridge. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. When you still have time for exploring, we recommend dropping your rental car at the drop-off and head to the city center. A Cost Guide. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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 city is busy, and most roads are one direction only. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. People. Italy Flights to Italy Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. 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. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! Today youll travel to Lake Garda. You'll visit two of Italy's best culinary regions, Emilia-Romagna and Piemonte; you'll marvel at Italy's most picturesque mountains in Trentino and Alto Adige; and you'll visit four lakes: Garda, Como, Orta, and Maggiore. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. View from the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail | Northern Italy Itinerary. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. We would really like to visit Bologna and Florence again and have to add Verona for sure due to business (just 1 day business meeting). Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. Parma is a city that will surprise you. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. 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! 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. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). 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) You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. Afterwards, explore the town of Cortina dAmpezzo, check into your hotel, and then have dinner. 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). 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. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. In the next part, youll find step by step itineraries where we explain the best stops, famous landmarks, and best places to stay. Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. This article does a great job describing the numerous options, which can be overwhelming to choose from. But in five days you still can see a lot. There are lots of restaurants located in and around St. Marks Square but most of these are overpriced and mediocre. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. Milan 2 Nights. It is fantastic to spend a half-day or full-day in this area. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. For the best experience, book your ticket online. purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. 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. You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 3: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 4: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 5: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 6: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. We also have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda. 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. Italy. 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. Its a cheap way to get around Venice and the views are amazing, as you cruise along the Grand Canal. DAY 1: Venice. 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. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. Florence was the center of trade and banking during medieval times. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Rome is a special city to visit. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. That does not include tours, only entrance fees. Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda. 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. ), or visit on a guided tour. Leave a comment! Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. In the Dolomites, the first snow begins to fall sometime in October and continues through May, so during this time, the hiking trails will be covered with snow. Verona is a great city to spend your day. Manage Settings And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. Where to stay in Milan. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. As you tour Doges Palace, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. 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). For full details of this itinerary, plus suggestions on how to visit the Duomo and see the Last Supper, refer to our One Day in Milan Itinerary. 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. ITALY YOUTUBE CLIPS. Verona 2 Nights. 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). 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! The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. 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! ): Piedmont: at least 2 nights (Piedmont is a large region, so depending on how much you want to see, you could easily extend this a couple of nights) Lake Como: at least 1 night Bologna: at least 1 night Florence: at least 2 nights Verona: at least 1 night Lake Garda: at least 1 night (or even a day trip from Verona & you stay in Verona 2 nights) Dolomites: at least 2-3 nights. 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. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. However, if you like the idea of visiting Lake Garda, here is a sample itinerary, if you have 12 days in Italy. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. Are you planning to travel to Italy? Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. 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. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. But if you like, you can explore the city. 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. I highly suggest taking a look at the embedded maps to discover places worth adding to your itinerary based on the amount of time you have available. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. Spend the afternoon by hiking one of the nearby trails. Because theres no traffic, the vibe is even more unique. A perfect place to buy a fresh sandwich and enjoy your time at the main square of the village. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. For more information on how to do this, click here. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. Then, ride the cable car to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. However, if youre flying from within Europe, you may want to consider flying into Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, which is a hub for Ryanair flights. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Now, it is a museum. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. View from Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, Malcesine, Lake Garda. View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. 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). Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times). Cultural Exploration Family Tour of Northern Italy. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. Two nights in the Dolomites. You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. Medici Family,who invented modern banking, but also a few popes came from this family. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. If you plan to pick up the car on the day you drive to the Dolomites, the best place to rent the car is at the Mestre train station followed by the Venice Marco Polo airport. Day 9 Milan. If you need to start and end in the same location (for example, if it is easier to find flights in and out of one airport), that can be done as well. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Its a big day hike but it is our favorite in the Dolomites. 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. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. 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. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. 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. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. 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. Lago di Braies | Northern Italy Itinerary. Our recommended places to stay are in two different villages. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. Cinque Terreis a Unesco world heritage site. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. Arrive on an empty stomach! Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the most popular hikes to do in the Dolomites and you can easily add on the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. View from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute | Northern Italy Itinerary. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. Verona is located in northern Italy, about 110km from the romantic city of Venice. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. Here are some suggestions: Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto! MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. In the evening, have dinner. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. For more details about this day, refer to day 1 of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. Bergamo 2 Nights. And the Medici Family, in particular, had significant influence at the modern banking system.