Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. You can also skip Verona, but it is a wonderful city and one of our favorites in Italy. 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). If you arrive in the morning on a red eye flight, this first day can be challenging. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. 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. DAY 1: Venice. Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. At every place where we recommend staying overnight, we put some recommendations for hotel bookings. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. 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. Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. 7 Days of Northern Italy Itinerary: Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1-2: Bologna. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. Vicenza. Lake Maggiore is in the second largest lake in Italy, and also crosses the border with Switzerland. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. Strolling the canals is one of the best things to do in Venice and there are several ways to do it. Its a cheap way to get around Venice and the views are amazing, as you cruise along the Grand Canal. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. Or, you can take a train from Verona to Milan (roughly 1.5 hours with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $27 USD). Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. In this guide, we lay out a 10-day northern Italy itinerary, with tips on how to modify it, depending on your interests and how much time you have. Italy Flights to Italy No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. 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. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. 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. 14 days or even longer is perfect for a road trip. You should also know that Lake Garda is an extremely busy place to visit in the summer, more so than Lake Como, at least in our experience. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. Rome is a special city to visit. 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. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. From Florence to Rome it is about 3 to 4 hours drive. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. So when you want to save some money, dont go to a traditional Gondola, but hop-on a taxi boat. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'madefortravellers_com-box-3','ezslot_3',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-box-3-0'); When you feel it is more convenient, you can also choose to start your road trip at Venice. 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. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. Some hotels will have designated parking, either with or without an additional fee. Public transport adaptations. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. 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) So we recommend dropping your rental car when arriving at the city. Required fields are marked *. So we recommend staying at the outside center ring, which makes it easy to park your car. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. 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. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. And the Medici Family, in particular, had significant influence at the modern banking system. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. From Ponte dellAccademia, it is a short walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. However, we recommend you to drive a few hours to Venice during the evening and stay overnight in Venice. To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website. They'are also a top destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers from all over the world. You can do this itinerary all year, but during the months of November, April, and even May, you will be very limited in what you can do in the Dolomites, as this area transitions between a hiking and skiing destination. Hotel Danieli is a luxurious 5-star hotel located on Riva degli Schiavoni. In the morning, check out of your hotel. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. Verona is a great city to spend your day. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. Spend the afternoon by hiking one of the nearby trails. 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. Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. You could definitely tailor this Northern Italy itinerary to be only 7 days. Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. Milan - 2-3 nights. 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 . Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. Bus travel is also an option, but comes with its own challenges: one, understanding regional bus routes in a short period of time, and two, using coach buses means youll get dropped off in one spot and you dont have much freedom to travel around. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. Made For Travellers is best known for its in-depth articles about Rooftop Tent Traveling, Caravan Lifestyle, and cultural destinations worldwide.We also share our personal stories of escaping "the corporate rat race" and following the path to freedom, love, happiness, and a fulfilled life. We love taking pictures and videos during our travels, but also like to be organized with our stuff. You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. 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! You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. 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. 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. If you have longer, great! 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. 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. However, the travel time is the longest. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. Your seat on this tour is just a click away! VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. Manage Settings Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. Are you planning to travel to Italy? Milan Lake Como Cinque Terre Venice Dolomites Highlights There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. Highlights of your one-week itinerary include visiting the Museo Egizio in Milan, taking a boat trip on one of the lakes . The Doges Palace is located next to St. Marks Basilica. Our road trip itineraries cover the different highlights in this part of the country. But if the price is better in Rome, you could always take a train to a major northern Italian city or find a cheap flight with RyanAir, for example. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. Marvelous to visit!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-banner-1-0'); Theres a lot to see at Lake Garda, so you might be interested in reading our article with in-depth information about this area. This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. 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. This way you can reach the historic city of Venice early morning and spend a few moments when it is not too busy. 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. 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. People. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. Franciacorta is a territory between Bergamo and Brescia that produces sparkling wine or spumante, mostly Prosecco, Italys version of Champagne. 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. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. Sirmione is a historic town on a peninsula at 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. Our website uses cookies. Milan can be a great starting point too. That does not include tours, only entrance fees. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. The parking garage can hold 4500 vehicles. With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. 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. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. But the true draw is the landscape. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. On our first trip to the Dolomites, we had three days and once there, we wished we had a lot more time. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy 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. If youre into hiking, watersports, or just want to experience the beauty of nature, this road trip might be something for you. We recommend staying in the town of Varenna, which is the easiest to reach, and on the road, youll need to follow the next day. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Our first trip we visited Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Genoa/Cinque Terre. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. Your email address will not be published. Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. The total length of this road trip is 388 miles (625 kilometers). Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. 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. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. We started our adventure in Bologna. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. 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. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. The drive is a bit far, around 3 hours from the national park Ademello Breno, but youll have the best views from the cable car of the highest mountain peak! Some of these links are affiliate links. 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. Visions of Northern Italy: Hiking and Touring Lake Maggiore, Dolomites, Italian Riviera. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. Depending on your departure time you can either explore the city of Milan for a second time or maybe need to go directly to the airport. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. The Rialto Bridge is a covered footbridge that is lined with shops. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also, youll stay in the northern part of the region. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. 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. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. It is a beautiful drive, especially the final 45-minutes, as you drive along winding roads into the mountains. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. 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! Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. Bologna is the origin of many Italian food favorites: Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella, Rag Bolognese, Balsamic Vinegar and Lasagne. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. The city is busy, and most roads are one direction only. Those are all amazing places to visit! We recommend booking a departure from Florence because it saves you a lot of time. North Italy itinerary for 14 days. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. Regardless, these two sister cities are only 40 minutes apart by car, but exhibit completely different landscapes. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? 7.1 Venice - 5 days. 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. There is truly so much to do and see that one trip may not be enough, which is why I have curated 5 northern Italy itineraries that play to certain strengths: one for those who want to see the most famous locations, one for outdoor adventurers, one for city-lovers, one for couples, and one for foodies, so you experience a little bit of everything. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. If you will have a car, park your car at Tronchetto Parking. We had dinner twice at Hotel Freina and this hotel also gets exceptional reviews. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. Tour starts on a Sunday. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. We've only ever traveled by public transportation in Italy and so that's how we designed these itineraries. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. After you arrive in Milan, you probably want to relax a bit first. If youre hoping to visit many places that arent major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. Which one you choose really depends if you want to cruise up Lake Como or just get to Varenna as quickly as possible. ), or visit on a guided tour. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! Our recommended articles are: Driving from Genoa to Parma is a beautiful road when you skip the tollroads. Instead the meals are heartier, which reflect the lifestyle of people living here: industrial workers or those living in the Alps having to face long winters. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. 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. Not much driving after that . ): 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. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. 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! Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days. 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. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. Julie Last updated: January 29, 2023 Italy Leave a Comment. However, during this trip, you dont have that much time to explore the most significant hiking trails. The best time to visit the Northern part of Italy is between the months of May and September. 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. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como.
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