But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. For this Itinerary we recommend you to start in Milan. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. 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). Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. 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. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. After you arrive in Milan, you probably want to relax a bit first. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It's the world's largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning! Required fields are marked *. Their search engine gives the best and most affordable results. Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. Parma is a city that will surprise you. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. 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. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. 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. The other option to spend only 5 days in the northern part is excellent for hiking enthusiasts. Leave a comment! 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. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. 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. 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. Plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours in both Varenna and Bellagio. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. Bologna is a big university city. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. Public transport adaptations. Then explore Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, the oldest national park in Italy, before heading north to the tiny town, but skiing haven of Breuil-Cervinia to see Monte Cervino otherwise known as the Matterhorn! 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). There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. If you dont want to wait in line, you can join a skip-the-line tour. 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. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. DAY 5: Beautiful city of Verona DAY 6: Majestic Lake Garda DAY 7: Emilia Romagna, foodie's paradise DAY 8: Parma, gastronomy day DAY 9: Maranello (Ferrari and fun cooking) DAY 10: Gastronomic capital Bologna DAY 11: Ravenna and its UNESCO world heritage sites 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 one of the oldest places in Tuscany. Tuscany is a bit different than the other regions in Italy. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. Hotel Danieli is a luxurious 5-star hotel located on Riva degli Schiavoni. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. Sirmione, which is a bit more expensive option, but probably one of the most romantic places youll ever sleep. 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. Day 3 - 4: Swoon Over Picturesque Cinque Terre. During this road trip, we planned a half-day in Cinque Terre, but if you want to spend more time along these coastal towns, you can skip Genoa or Parma in this itinerary. I do not recommend making big plans today (no St. Marks Basilica or Doges Palace visits) because you might be exhausted. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. In five days youll visit the three biggest lakes in Italy before heading back to the vibrant city of Milan.Note; the road from Lake Maggiore to Lake Como takes you a few miles through Switzerland. Two nights in the Dolomites. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. 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. 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. Not to worry. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. Theres not much I need to explain as to why Venice is a good city-break: the uniqueness of its landscape and how it affects every aspect of life from transportation to food. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. Your email address will not be published. Strolling the canals is one of the best things to do in Venice and there are several ways to do it. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. This road trip is around 500 kilometers, maybe a bit more depending on where you go around the lakes. A visit to St. Marks Basilica (once you are inside), lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, to walk through the basilica, see the Pala dOro, and take in the view from the terrace. Breakdown of your 2 weeks in Northern Italy Milan: 2 days Lake Como: 2 days Lake Garda: 2 days Verona: 1 day Dolomites: 5 days Venice: 2 days You can choose whether you start in Milan and end in Venice, or go in reverse. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. So if youre lucky enough to spend more time on the road and enjoy your holiday, this itinerary is for you. Make it easier to visit using my Lake Como budget tips, but dont be afraid to indulge in visiting its most romantic places like Villa del Balbianello and the town of Bellagio. Pick up your rental car, either from the parking garage in Venice, the Mestre train station, or from the airport. Best Things to Do in the Dolomites (with Little to No Hiking), Things to Know When Planning a Trip to the Dolomites, Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana, 10 Days in Italy: 4 Amazing Itinerary Ideas, 10 Days in Italy: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice, 14 Days in Italy: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy, How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como, 10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 4 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy, Lake Garda Bucket List: 25 Things to Do in Lake Garda, Italy, 20 Best Places to Visit in Italy (+ Map & Photos). Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Portugal is not only a beautiful country but is also shockingly reasonable to live in. VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. 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. Italy All Italy Hotels 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. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. Did you know the famous tower straightens every year? It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. The biggest lake in Italy and Europe. We recommend using the parks website to find out the best hiking trails. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Spend the afternoon strolling through the streets of Verona. We found that insurance can be a tricky thing, but since were using Rentalcover.com for our rental insurance, we stopped worrying. 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. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. 9 Day Custom Tour. The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. 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. Discover more specific destinations for loved-up travelers on the map: Italian food is in a league of its own, but youll soon find out when visiting northern Italy that the traditional dishes are not pasta and pizza. We started our adventure in Bologna. So we recommend dropping your rental car when arriving at the city. 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). Any of these itineraries can be turned into a road trip itinerary like I said, the country is best experienced by road trip! Day 3 - Lake Como. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. Milan to Florence is a great road trip, where you see the best parts the Tuscany and Cinque Terre region. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. These suggestions for your time in Venice follows our 2 Day in Venice Itinerary, starting with day 2 and then doing day 1. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. People. You could definitely tailor this Northern Italy itinerary to be only 7 days. From this bridge, you get another iconic view of Venice and the Grand Canal. 8 Discover Emilia Romagna - 10 days. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. Day 6 To Lake Garda. 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. So when you want to save some money, dont go to a traditional Gondola, but hop-on a taxi boat. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. Use this link or the banner below to get a quote. To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. A Cost Guide. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. Things To Do In Milan. Your email address will not be published. Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. You can either wander the canals on your own or take a walking tour. But in five days you still can see a lot. Not a big hiker? Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Manage Settings We dont want to bring too many things, because simply you dont need that much while traveling.Over the years we tested a lot of stuff, check out our full list of recommendations for packing gear and camera stuff on the recommendations pageHere are some things we recommend you to use during your Italian road trip: Lon Kopijn works and lives as a Digital Nomad. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. Drive over the Sella Pass and check into your hotel in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. It is the highest mountain in this mountain range. Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. 5 Northern Italy Itineraries You Should Steal The Bucket List Northern Italy Itinerary If you're someone who's embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. We also have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda. Which one you choose really depends if you want to cruise up Lake Como or just get to Varenna as quickly as possible. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website. Vicenza. 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 wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. 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. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. 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. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. It just depends on what you feel is more convenient. This very highly rated tour has skip-the-line access to St. Marks Basilica, it includes the terrace, and it also includes Doges Palace (the next stop on todays itinerary). The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). 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. Bologna is the origin of many Italian food favorites: Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella, Rag Bolognese, Balsamic Vinegar and Lasagne. 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. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Some of these links are affiliate links. Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. Arena Suite is a 4-star hotel in the city center that has large rooms and gets exceptional reviews. 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.. 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. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. Day 3 Florence. But if you like, you can explore the city. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? The Tuscany of northern Italy? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Where to stay in Milan. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. With more time, you can add extra days to Venice, the Dolomites, or Lake Como. In these two months you get the best weather, the very beginning or the tail end of the busy summer tourist season, and if you book ahead, you can get great deals on reservations for rental cars and accommodation. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. They made these islands in the beautiful botanical gardens which they are now. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. Julie Last updated: January 29, 2023 Italy Leave a Comment. Our northern Italy itinerary, 7 days from the Alps to Milan, is all about exploring the wonders that lie at the top end of the boot. On this full day in Venice, you will visit some of the most popular tourist attractions: St. Marks Basilica, the Doges Palace, and St. Marks Square. You can find more information about Tuscany in this article, where we tell more about the different villages in this region. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. You can easily spend a few weeks in the Tuscany region, but during this road trip in the Northern part of Italy, we recommend that you stay in the west part of Tuscany.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-leader-2-0'); Leaving Florence we recommend you to drive toSiena San Gimignano Volterra Pisa. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Cultural Exploration Family Tour of Northern Italy. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. In the afternoon, you can also stroll through the Dorsoduro neighborhood and/or ride a gondola through the canals of Venice. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. 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. Rentalcover offers the best coverage for a rental car, and it is cheaper than insurance via the rental company. Made For Travellers also participates in affiliate programs with Booking.com, Clickbank, WorldNomads, Rentalcars.com, TUI UK, Adsense, and other sites. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. Milan can be a great starting point too. Your email address will not be published. Verona is located in northern Italy, about 110km from the romantic city of Venice. In the evening, have dinner. Again, expect long lines here. Known for its iconic leaning tower. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. It is a gorgeous basilica, both inside and out. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. So the first day we dont plan that much.