Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In the next part, you'll find step by step itineraries where we explain the best stops, famous landmarks, and best places to stay. If you have less time and want to see a lot, plan out your transportation well and get ready for days jam-packed with things to do and breathtaking places to see! 10 Day Custom Tour. (Psst! I recommend for anyone visiting the Italian Alps either rent a car or plan to book a tour that handles transportation throughout the days activities. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). Read my guides to Italy in Summer, Italy in Fall, and Italy in Winter to dive deeper into which season may be a better fit for you. There are lots of restaurants located in and around St. Marks Square but most of these are overpriced and mediocre. Italy Flights to Italy This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. 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. We've only ever traveled by public transportation in Italy and so that's how we designed these itineraries. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored. Plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours in both Varenna and Bellagio. Verona itinerary 1 day Suggested Verona one day trip & how to spend Julie Last updated: January 29, 2023 Italy Leave a Comment. Northern Italy Itinerary: Venice, Dolomites, Verona & Lake Como In the morning, travel to Milan. The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. 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. 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. View from the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail | Northern Italy Itinerary. This road trip is around 500 kilometers, maybe a bit more depending on where you go around the lakes. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. 7 Days in Northern Italy Itinerary: Pastels, Prosciutto & Parmigiana Bergamo 2 Nights. Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. The northern part of Italy is renowned for its beautiful mountain lakes. Take the time to purchase the Firenze card right away. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. 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! See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. 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. 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. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. It costs 7.50 for a one-way ticket (good for 75 minutes) or 21 for a 24-hour ticket. Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. Public transport adaptations. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary 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 Northern Italy itinerary map About this Northern Italy Itinerary The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks It may look like I put a lot of time into the Dolomites (because I did ). 7 Days of Northern Italy Itinerary: Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1-2: Bologna. The 922-passenger ship is the first of six planned eco-conscious vessels that will sail six- to 35-night immersive itineraries, first in Northern Europe and then in South America, and feature nine inclusive dining experiences, four pools (one with a tractable roof), and 10 bars and lounges (several featuring hand-crafted Steinway pianos . Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. Your seat on this tour is just a click away! The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. ): 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); It is lovely to spend the night in Verona. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. Made For Travellers is compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Once you have checked into your hotel, have a quick lunch and then make your way to the Rialto Bridge. VENICE: Learn more about Venice in our article Best Things to Do in Venice. 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. It is the highest mountain in this mountain range. Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. And if you need a pet friendly apartment, take a look at Cristallo & Faloria Suite Apartments. Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. 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! The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. 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. This walled village with a big cathedral dates back to the 8th century BC! 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. 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). Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. 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! A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. One week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary: Your 7 Day Guide 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. Spend the afternoon by hiking one of the nearby trails. 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. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. For this itinerary, you will get around by rental car and train. We have tons of information on the Dolomites, which you can see in our Dolomites Travel Guide. 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). MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. DAY 1: Venice. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. Its a big day hike but it is our favorite in the Dolomites. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. Lagazuoi, Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary, The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the Tofana cable car | Northern Italy Itinerary. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. These suggestions for your time in Venice follows our 2 Day in Venice Itinerary, starting with day 2 and then doing day 1. The cheapest option is to rent a car just for the Dolomites portion of this trip. 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. Polenta is a versatile grain made plain, with cheese or as Polenta Contadina, made with cheese, spinach, and local sausage. You will have the afternoon free to do something, whether that is a hike or a scenic drive or a cable car ride. If you like skiing, this northern Italy itinerary works well from December through March, when the Dolomites become one of the best places in Europe to go skiing. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. If you will have a car, park your car at Tronchetto Parking. Use this link or the banner below to get a quote. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Lines can be long to enter it, but it is worth it, both to see the golden interior and to stand on the terrace for a view across St. Marks Square. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. Your last stop on this itinerary is tapping into a bit of central Italy territory, but it is a must stop for foodies. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum - Tripadvisor After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum - Tripadvisor If youre someone whos embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. 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). For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! 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. This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda. Our website uses cookies. Day 3 - Lake Como. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. Arena Suite is a 4-star hotel in the city center that has large rooms and gets exceptional reviews. 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. We found that insurance can be a tricky thing, but since were using Rentalcover.com for our rental insurance, we stopped worrying. 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) This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. Day 3 Florence. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Required fields are marked *. Ill be recommending the stops on the itineraries in a certain order, but not necessarily saying you should be spending one day here and two days there. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. DOLOMITES: For links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. But sometimes you just dont have more time. 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). In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. Italy All Italy Hotels You can also book one of the transport options below. Northern Italy itinerary: 4 comprehensive itineraries Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. 7.2 Verona - 2 days. 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. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. Yes, its a tourist experience, but its also still incredibly unique and wholesome to run away to the city and get lost in its alleys for a few days. But in five days you still can see a lot. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. Two nights in the Dolomites. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. We recommend staying close by the park entrance. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. With this guide, you will discover the perfect Northern Italy itinerary including fashionable Milan, colorful fishing villages, breath-taking Alpine vistas, gorgeous lakes, wine-clad slopes, and Venice's palazzos. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. 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. 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. 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! They'are also a top destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers from all over the world. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Things To Do In Milan. The Best of Northern Italy: 10-Day Itinerary - Petite Suitcase 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. We love taking pictures and videos during our travels, but also like to be organized with our stuff. Manage Settings For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. Its hard to fit it all into one trip, but hopefully youve found the perfect itinerary for your trip to northern Italy or at least sparks of inspiration! All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. Whats more exciting than an Italy road trip? Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. Now, it is a museum. 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). We also find that their customer service is excellent. The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. This way, you have enough time to explore the highlights in Milan. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days.