northern italy itinerary northern italy itinerary

Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. The roads are good condition, and the views are just stunning. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Tuscany of northern Italy? The big Italian big four road trip. Many people think this village was the scene for the movietwilight. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. Some of these links are affiliate links. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. ITALY YOUTUBE CLIPS. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. 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. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. Answer 11 of 11: I'm planning a 10-day trip and would like an opinion on the following itinerary: Day 1 Arrive in Milan AM, Rent Car Drive to Lake Como - 1 Hour Lake Como Day 2 Lake Como. And you dont need your rental car while staying in Milan. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. The dolomites are great for exploring nature and hiking. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. 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. 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. 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. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. They arent as cheap as buses, but theyre less expensive than renting a car. We recommend using the parks website to find out the best hiking trails. There is so much to find in Rome, historic building, culture, and great food! 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. Milan can be a great starting point too. Day 9 Milan. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. 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. Manage Settings Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. Known for its iconic leaning tower. If you take the train to Varenna, you will have less travel time, which you can then use for a private boat tour of the villas. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. 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. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. Not a big hiker? Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. The northern part of Italy is renowned for its beautiful mountain lakes. Bologna is a big university city. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. 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. 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. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. Curious for more ideas? Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. 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. 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 city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. Curious about more spots to hit? We chose for Milan as a starting point because it is easy to reach, either flying or overland. Travel west to another of northern Italy's fabled lakesLake Orta and spend the morning discovering the medieval lakeside town of Orta San Giulio.Set on the water's edge overlooking a picturesque island, the town is a delightful maze of cobblestoned streets and pastel-colored homes that date back centuries. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. See itinerary. You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. Public transport adaptations. However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. 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. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. Northern Italy Itinerary - 8. Learn more here. Pick up the car on the morning of day 3, when you leave Venice, and then drop the car in Verona. Julie Last updated: January 29, 2023 Italy Leave a Comment. Then, ride the cable car to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, youll be feeling the Italian romance. Day 1 - 2: Welcome Northern Italy's Romantic and Bustling Milan. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. The city itself is not that big. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. 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. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. Whats more exciting than an Italy road trip? VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. If you head out on your adventure using one of these itineraries or have questions for curating a totally customized itinerary, share with me Id love to hear how your trip has gone or help you further plan your dream northern Italy itinerary! Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. So when you want to save some money, dont go to a traditional Gondola, but hop-on a taxi boat. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. 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 . from $16,495 /10 days. 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. Things To Do In Milan. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 $150, Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 $300, Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $300+. 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. Below is my recommended 7 day itinerary for Northern Italy which covers the highlights and must-see cities. The airport is located nearby the city and offers city buses (Aerobus) which can take us to the center for 6. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. Built-in 30 AD and today still used as a concert venue. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. 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. A Cost Guide. 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! The easiest way to get around northern Italy is by train. You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Some hotels will have designated parking, either with or without an additional fee. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in Italy. Restaurant Terrazza Danieli. 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. ), or visit on a guided tour. DOLOMITES: For links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. 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). Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. 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. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. 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). Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. It is not a coastal city as many people think, the region consists out of five different coastal towns. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. 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. Your last stop on this itinerary is tapping into a bit of central Italy territory, but it is a must stop for foodies. In the evening, have dinner. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. Tour starts on a Sunday. 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.. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). Tonight, stay in Cortina dAmpezzo. 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. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. In the morning, travel to Milan. In the afternoon, you can also stroll through the Dorsoduro neighborhood and/or ride a gondola through the canals of Venice. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Savoia, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel in Cortina. We had dinner twice at Hotel Freina and this hotel also gets exceptional reviews. Bologna 2 Nights. Hi there! 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. We feel it is essential that you plan your trip with the best booking recourses. Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda. There are lots of restaurants located in and around St. Marks Square but most of these are overpriced and mediocre. However, during this trip, you dont have that much time to explore the most significant hiking trails. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. 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). Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. 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. MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. Our website uses cookies. 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. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. Rome is a special city to visit. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. Lagazuoi, Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary, The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the Tofana cable car | Northern Italy Itinerary. We found that insurance can be a tricky thing, but since were using Rentalcover.com for our rental insurance, we stopped worrying. 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. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. They'are also a top destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers from all over the world. That is up to you and the flexibility of your travel dates! For those who want to combine a few Italian cities with some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, youll love this northern Italy itinerary. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! This is our second trip. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You will have the afternoon free to do something, whether that is a hike or a scenic drive or a cable car ride. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. North Italy itinerary for 14 days. There are some splendid botanical gardens and excellent hiking trails around the lake. Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. Our recommended articles are: Driving from Genoa to Parma is a beautiful road when you skip the tollroads. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. A Cost Guide. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. Spend the day either hiking near Cortina dAmpezzo or visiting Lago di Braies. Our northern Italy itinerary became: Venice Florence Milan Lake Como Lake Maggiore. Verona 2 Nights. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. All the major cities on our 10 day Italy travel itinerary were accessible by public transportation, and the train . Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. Franciacorta. Manage Settings For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. Required fields are marked *. Make sure to bring some warm clothes, even in summer! Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! It costs 7.50 for a one-way ticket (good for 75 minutes) or 21 for a 24-hour ticket. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. While youll easily be able to get from city to city and even towns using regional trains, going through the mountains will mean there are less stops and train options, or there may just be no option at all. You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for 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. The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. However, the travel time is the longest. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. 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. Afterwards, explore the town of Cortina dAmpezzo, check into your hotel, and then have dinner. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. For full details on how to do this, refer to our Lake Como Day Trip guide and Things to Do in Bellagio. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Italy. You wont reach the Tuscany region. Made For Travellers is compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. Learn how to spend one perfect day in Verona. Visions of Northern Italy: Hiking and Touring Lake Maggiore, Dolomites, Italian Riviera. Here youll find many small traditional restaurants, the best place to have a relaxing night after much walking in the city! Italy Flights to Italy 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! This road trip is around 500 kilometers, maybe a bit more depending on where you go around the lakes. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. 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. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers.