Lake Garda is even the biggest lake in Europe, and Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are set in some beautiful environments. Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 3: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 4: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 5: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 6: Dolomites, Northern Italy Itinerary Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio. 9 Day Custom Tour. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. The total length of this road trip is 388 miles (625 kilometers). But the true draw is the landscape. Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. Rome is a special city to visit. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. From here, you get one of the best views of Venice, and it is a nice way to start your visit to this city. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. We recommend booking a departure from Florence because it saves you a lot of time. 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. Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. The highlights in Milan are:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_17',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-3-0'); It is easy to walk around the city center of Milan. A perfect place to buy a fresh sandwich and enjoy your time at the main square of the village. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. That does not include tours, only entrance fees. Your email address will not be published. This is the road youll need to take the next day.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-box-4','ezslot_6',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-box-4-0'); The next day you follow road SS36, 38, 39, 42 and 239 to the national park Adamello Brenta. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! This is our second trip. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. So the first day we dont plan that much. Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Where To Stay In Milan. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. Sirmione, which is a bit more expensive option, but probably one of the most romantic places youll ever sleep. 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. There are lots of restaurants located in and around St. Marks Square but most of these are overpriced and mediocre. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website. 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. We had dinner twice at Hotel Freina and this hotel also gets exceptional reviews. 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. 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.. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. Arrive on an empty stomach! For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. 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. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. Made For Travellers is compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Its no secret Lake Como is one of the most luxurious destinations in Italy and its exclusivity, plus the incredible views of villas and alpine peaks, makes it an intimate retreat. However, you will have more travel time tomorrow to get to the airport. 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. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'madefortravellers_com-box-3','ezslot_3',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-box-3-0'); When you feel it is more convenient, you can also choose to start your road trip at Venice. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. We recommend staying close by the park entrance. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. 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. It saves you a day in rental- and parking costs. Rentalcover offers the best coverage for a rental car, and it is cheaper than insurance via the rental company. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. 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. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. Our recommended places to stay are in two different villages. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. People. On our first trip to the Dolomites, we had three days and once there, we wished we had a lot more time. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. And during the night, most tourists left the historic center, so its much quieter. Also take advantage of the linked posts within this article to discover individual destinations in depth and ultimately allow you to plan your trip better. Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around, as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia and the best things to do in Alberobello. 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. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Almost anything you can name is cheaper and affordable in Portugal, from housing to food, healthcare to travel. Made For Travellers is more than just a travel blog. 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. 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. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. Not a big hiker? This has the advantage of not packing and unpacking again, and if you have a flight home from Milan tomorrow, you will already be in town. 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. Milan is bustling, crowded, the energy is always high. Unless you have a late afternoon flight, you will either have to leave very early in the morning or travel to Venice the night of day 9. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. Lago di Braies | Northern Italy Itinerary. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. Parmawill be the last city on this itinerary before you head back to Milan. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. 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. 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. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. In the evening, have dinner. With more time, or some modifications, you can also add in Lake Garda or more time in the Dolomites. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. The stops on this north Italy itinerary include: Youll probably start this itinerary in Milano, given that the most major airports are located just outside the city. Spend the day either hiking near Cortina dAmpezzo or visiting Lago di Braies. But this is more expensive, since you are paying for 2 days of a rental car plus parking fees. In the afternoon, you can also stroll through the Dorsoduro neighborhood and/or ride a gondola through the canals of Venice. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. It is on the road youll take the next day, and also it is easy to explore the best highlights of the lake with the taxi boat that leaves from this village. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. Parma is a city that will surprise you. Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. 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! For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Once in Milan, the main things to do include a visit to the Duomo (walking on the rooftop is an awesome experience), seeing DaVincis Last Supper, and visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? 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. Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. 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. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. 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. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. Italy Flights to Italy If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. Italy Tourism Italy Hotels . 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. Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. Three rocky islands that were bought by the Borromean family centuries ago. 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! 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 read all the details about Genoa in this. A Cost Guide. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. From Varenna, it is easy to explore the lake.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The villages around the lake are great to explore, but Lake Como is renowned for its beautiful nature. 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. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. Mainly because there are so many medieval villages to visit. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. 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. I also recommend asking your hotel for the best way to get to the hotel. It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. Manage Settings In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1-3 Veneto. The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. Our northern Italy itinerary became: Venice Florence Milan Lake Como Lake Maggiore. You can find them on our recommendations page, or scroll down and read the plan your trip part in this article. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. 6.2 Lake Garda - 2 days. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days.