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. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. Italy Flights to Italy If you're planning to visit the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, you might be looking for a list of the best things to do in Fogo. To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. Best Time To Visit Italy For a 10 Day Trip. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! People. Leave a comment! A Cost Guide. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. Once in the area of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, you will get around by ferry, which runs frequently and it doesnt take long to get from town to town. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Visions of Northern Italy: Hiking and Touring Lake Maggiore, Dolomites, Italian Riviera. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. 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. 10 Day Custom Tour. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. Which itinerary is on your bucket list? For this itinerary, it is best to rent a car. It's the world's largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning! Things To Do In Cinque Terre. If you dont want to wait in line, you can join a skip-the-line tour. Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. . To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. 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) Franciacorta is a territory between Bergamo and Brescia that produces sparkling wine or spumante, mostly Prosecco, Italys version of Champagne. Both beginning in the vibrant city of Milan, you cannot go wrong with either itinerary and you're sure to fall in love with this incredible area of the country. 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. All the major cities on our 10 day Italy travel itinerary were accessible by public transportation, and the train . However, we recommend you to drive a few hours to Venice during the evening and stay overnight in Venice. If you will be arriving Venice very early in the day (for example, you are already in Europe and wont be dealing with jet lag), or the night before, you can follow our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. (Psst! There are many accommodations to find in Venice. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. 1000 Gourmet Venezia gets great reviews, serves pizza and pasta, and is located on a side street just a few blocks northeast of St. Marks Square. We started our adventure in Bologna. A perfect place to buy a fresh sandwich and enjoy your time at the main square of the village. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. The parking garage can hold 4500 vehicles. Just be aware that they charge a 5 booking fee to use their website. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. For more information on how to do this, click here. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. We recommend using rentalcover. Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). 10 Days In Italy: An Unforgettable Northern Italy Itinerary However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. 6.2 Lake Garda - 2 days. 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. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. 4 Northern Italy itineraries - How to spend a week in Northern Italy Northern Italy Itinerary n 1: Milan, Como Lake, Venice, and Verona You can also see the map here Why? If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! Answer 11 of 12: I'm planning a 10-day trip and would like an opinion on the following itinerary: Day 1 Arrive in Milan AM, Rent Car Drive to Lake Como - 1 Hour Lake Como Day 2 Lake Como. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Bologna 2 Nights. We wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. 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. VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. From Ponte dellAccademia, it is a short walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. But the advantage is that you can stay overnight in Florence, and the next day has all day to exploring another historic city.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'madefortravellers_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-leader-1-0'); It is a bit difficult to drive into the city center of Florence. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. Ultimate Northern Italy Itinerary For 10 Days Voices of Travel We recommend booking a departure from Florence because it saves you a lot of time. But if you like, you can explore the city. However, the travel time is the longest. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. The biggest lake in Italy and Europe. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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+. One Week Itinerary in Northern Italy: Recommendations for an Artsy Trip Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. Check online for details. This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. If you need to start and end in the same location (for example, if it is easier to find flights in and out of one airport), that can be done as well. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. Not to worry. There is still plenty to do here that involves little to no hiking. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. From the views, to the quiet harbor, to the unreal swimming spots like Lord Byrons Grotto and the untouched beaches of Palmeria Island, its a lovers paradise and exudes Italian charm. 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. 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. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. The Top Island Itineraries for 2023's New Cruise Ships It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. Rentalcover offers the best coverage for a rental car, and it is cheaper than insurance via the rental company. 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. A Cost Guide. This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. If you have a flight leaving from Marco Polo Airport (Venice), from Milan it takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to travel by train and just over 3 hours by car. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. Day 4 Stresa and Orta San Giulio. From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored. Public transport adaptations. We also find that their customer service is excellent. Northern Italy is the most developed part of the country, so transportation is easy-to-access and can take you just about anywhere. 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. Rome is a special city to visit. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. Once at Passo Pordoi, you have the option to ride the cable car to Sass Pordoi, for more big views of the Dolomites, and to hike to Piz Bo, one of the easiest 3,000+ meter peaks to summit in the Dolomites (5.3 km/3.3 miles, 2 to 4 hours). Some of these links are affiliate links. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. This walled village with a big cathedral dates back to the 8th century BC! 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. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. 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. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. 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. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks So you can use your time in the most efficint way. Day 7 Lake Garda - Sirmione. For this Itinerary we recommend you to start in Milan. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! Northern Italy itinerary: what to see and how to see it This way, you have enough time to explore the highlights in Milan. Verona itinerary 1 day Suggested Verona one day trip & how to spend This way you can reach the historic city of Venice early morning and spend a few moments when it is not too busy. It is a beautiful drive, especially the final 45-minutes, as you drive along winding roads into the mountains. Tour starts on a Sunday. Below is my recommended 7 day itinerary for Northern Italy which covers the highlights and must-see cities. And during the night, most tourists left the historic center, so its much quieter. Day 3 - 4: Swoon Over Picturesque Cinque Terre. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. 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. Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around, as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Detailed Northern Italy Itinerary For 7-14 Days - Where Goes Rose? See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. Not much driving after that . Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. The Perfect Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 Ideas For The Trip Of Your Sienais renowned for the largest medieval square and the famous Torre del Mangia. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. Milan to Florence is a great road trip, where you see the best parts the Tuscany and Cinque Terre region. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. But in five days you still can see a lot. And they really are wonders - this is the land of the cathedral-like Dolomites, the actual cathedrals of Milan, and the glistening Italian Lakes, after all. Best Northern Italy Itinerary: Backpacking - Barefoot Surfer Known for its iconic leaning tower. As you stroll through Venice, go shopping, have a glass of wine or aperitif at a caf, snack on cicchetti, or hire a gondola. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) Its a big day hike but it is our favorite in the Dolomites. Its worth a visit! The northern part of Italy is renowned for its beautiful mountain lakes. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. 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. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. Dreamy Northern Italy Itinerary: 7 Days Italian Road Trip If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. Two nights in the Dolomites. Bergamo 2 Nights. And you dont need your rental car while staying in Milan. We recommend staying close by the park entrance. 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. Places you dont want to miss while visiting Florence are: When you want to visit the Duomo, you must reserve a ticket in advance. Bologna is a big university city. 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. With many historical buildings, it is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. After heading to the sea, return to the mountains around the area of Bergamo. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. 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). Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. For the best experience, book your ticket online. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. Which one you choose really depends if you want to cruise up Lake Como or just get to Varenna as quickly as possible. 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 easiest way to get around northern Italy is by train. 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. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. After you arrive in Milan, you probably want to relax a bit first. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. Hotel Danieli is a luxurious 5-star hotel located on Riva degli Schiavoni. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. 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. Hi there! And if you need a pet friendly apartment, take a look at Cristallo & Faloria Suite Apartments. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. 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. Northern Italy itinerary: lakes, mountains and medieval villages By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. Gems of Northern Italy | Smithsonian Journeys Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. Exploring Venice by day is great, but you need to decide what things you definitely want to see. Our recommended articles are: Driving from Genoa to Parma is a beautiful road when you skip the tollroads. Required fields are marked *. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary by Train: Fun Guide From Milan to Venice In Pisa, youll stay overnight. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. Italy. 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. The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. 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. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. 7 Days in Northern Italy Itinerary: Pastels, Prosciutto & Parmigiana As you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal for the iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs. Day 10 Milan. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum - Tripadvisor