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. Meals: Meals cost $10 to $30 per dish, depending on the restaurant. 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. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. A Cost Guide. Geisler Alm, Adolf Munkel Weg | Northern Italy Itinerary. Italy Itinerary: Where to Go in Italy by Rick Steves We wrote this article about the city where you can read all the essential details. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. For more information on how to do this, click here. 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. Your email address will not be published. Did you know the famous tower straightens every year? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? 4 Northern Italy itineraries - How to spend a week in Northern Italy Northern Italy Itinerary n 1: Milan, Como Lake, Venice, and Verona You can also see the map here Why? 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.. You can also book one of the transport options below. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. It is not a coastal city as many people think, the region consists out of five different coastal towns. Planning the best order of visiting these places will depend on what airport you end up flying into, as well as what day your business meeting falls on! Strolling the canals is one of the best things to do in Venice and there are several ways to do it. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. A Northern Italy road trip is an incredible way to experience a wide range of beautiful and world-famous cities in a very short space of time. Manage Settings You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. 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. 9 Day Custom Tour. The Ultimate Northern Italy Itinerary | Mr Hudson Hi there! You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. 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. Travel insurance is essential for your belongings and healthcare while traveling. PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia and the best things to do in Alberobello. The entrance of the park is around 3,5 hours drive from Varenna. 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. Its no secret Lake Como is one of the most luxurious destinations in Italy and its exclusivity, plus the incredible views of villas and alpine peaks, makes it an intimate retreat. Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. Gondola ride for two? A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. Milan - 2-3 nights. With the Northern Italy Highlights 10 days itinerary youll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. Find out more about Lon on his about page! Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. Today, you have several options to choose from. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. Hopefully, youll never use it, but when you need it, it is good to know theres a company out there helping you. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Lake Como and Bellagio are two more beautiful places in Italy that are great day trip destinations. Ultimate Northern Italy Itinerary For 10 Days Voices of Travel View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. 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. 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. Arrive on an empty stomach! Learn more here. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). They made these islands in the beautiful botanical gardens which they are now. Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. 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. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! 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. Keep in mind that Milan Bergamo is about an hour outside of Milan. 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. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. 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! Italy. Northern Italy Itinerary By Train (Venice, Florence, the Lakes & More) 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. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. With many historical buildings, it is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? DAY 1: Venice. 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 youre hoping to visit many places that arent major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. However, for those arriving on a red eye flight, you will have just the afternoon for sightseeing. Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! The Perfect Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 Ideas For The Trip Of Your Tuscany region is great to spend more time. Vicenza. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days I will sprinkle in extra tips and suggestions based on my own experience (so you dont have to make the same mistakes I have) and extra destinations as well so you can play with how much extra time you have and be informed about other places in the area well-worth seeing. Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Drive to Milan Day 6: Lake Como day trip Day 7: Fly home. Pick up the car from the airport, drive to Venice, and park it in a parking garage during your time in Venice (you wont need it). The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. 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. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. If you cant reserve a time slot on the official website, here is a one hour tour that includes your admission to see the Last Supper.. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. One Week Itinerary in Northern Italy: Recommendations for an Artsy Trip We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. Map for your Northern Italy road trip This way youll spend your time in the most efficient way possible. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. Check out the map to see this sample itinerary and extra suggestions on where to visit: Some travelers cant get enough of a historic, bustling European city and Italy is rich with them. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Lake Garda is even the biggest lake in Europe, and Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are set in some beautiful environments. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. However, during this trip, you dont have that much time to explore the most significant hiking trails. The city itself is not that big. There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. Franciacorta. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. Northern Italy Train Itinerary: 14 Days By Rail Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. However, you will have more travel time tomorrow to get to the airport. Required fields are marked *. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the canals of Venice. Detailed Northern Italy Itinerary For 7-14 Days - Where Goes Rose? We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Its easy to travel between Milan and Venice by train, so you can get back to your starting point without much time, effort, and money. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum - Tripadvisor Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. But if you like, you can explore the city. Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. Santuario Madonna della Corona | Northern Italy Itinerary. Read my full disclosure! 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) There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. 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. 7.2 Verona - 2 days. You can either day trip from Milan, just visiting Lake Como for the day, spending another night in Milan. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. 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. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. We found that insurance can be a tricky thing, but since were using Rentalcover.com for our rental insurance, we stopped worrying. There are many accommodations to find in Varenna, but the two that stand out the most, regarding customer reviews are: You can also look for other villages to stay if you wish, but we recommend staying at the eastern side of the lake, on the road SS36. So if youre lucky enough to spend more time on the road and enjoy your holiday, this itinerary is for you. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. 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. 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. Those are all amazing places to visit! The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Day 3 Florence. Milan can be a great starting point too. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. We will skip the Dolomites during this road trip because the drive is taking to much time. To avoid waiting in line, you can purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. 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. Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. 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. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. 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. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. Venice 2 Nights. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. The highlights in Milan are:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_17',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-3-0'); It is easy to walk around the city center of Milan. But the true draw is the landscape. Artist likeMichaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Machiavellilived and worked in the city of Florence.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Florence is probably the city with the most historic architecture in Italy. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. 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. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. Below is my recommended 7 day itinerary for Northern Italy which covers the highlights and must-see cities. It is still busy, but starting from 10 a.m., it is getting swamped. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. This way, you have enough time to explore the highlights in Milan. If you dont want to spend four days in the Dolomites, you can take out a day and add it to Venice or spend a day at Lake Garda. Rome is a special city to visit. 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. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. For dinner, we recommend Osteria Enoteca San Marco (one of our favorite restaurants and it is located near St. Marks Square), Impronta (a seafood restaurant popular with locals and tourists), Ristorante CaDolfin (gets rave reviews and is located in Canareggio), and Restaurant Quadri (a Michelin-starred restaurant). It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. Northern Italy Itineraries for a Weekend, Week and Month in Northern Italy Last stop for lovers: Venice! But in five days you still can see a lot. 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. 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. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. The Best Northern Italy Travel Itinerary (7 days) - The Mindful Mermaid 7.1 Venice - 5 days. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). The best time to visit the Northern part of Italy is between the months of May and September. The Doges Palace is located next to St. Marks Basilica. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. These suggestions for your time in Venice follows our 2 Day in Venice Itinerary, starting with day 2 and then doing day 1. 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. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. You can also spend the day in Alpe di Siusi, hiking or biking between the rifugios, dining on Italian food, and enjoying the view of Sassolungo. We started our adventure in Bologna. We have tons of information on the Dolomites, which you can see in our Dolomites Travel Guide. 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. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. Public transport adaptations. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Italy All Italy Hotels Northern Italy Roadtrip Itinerary | 5, 10 and 14 days We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. However, it would be pretty tough to see this all in a week, even with a car. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. Now, it is a museum. It is always fun to explore a city for the second time. I recommend starting on Riva degli Schiavoni, which is a wide promenade that runs along the Venetian Lagoon. Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. 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. See itinerary. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. It starts in Venice and ends in Milan, but it can just as easily be done in the opposite direction. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Check online for details. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area.