The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. Where to stay in Milan. A Cost Guide. From Cortina dAmpezzo, drive over Giau Pass or Falzarego Pass to Marmolada. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. The airport is located nearby the city and offers city buses (Aerobus) which can take us to the center for 6. Bologna 2 Nights. Florence was the center of trade and banking during medieval times. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. As you tour Doges Palace, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. 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. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. Things To Do In Milan. 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. You can find more information about Tuscany in this article, where we tell more about the different villages in this region. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. I recommend starting on Riva degli Schiavoni, which is a wide promenade that runs along the Venetian Lagoon. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Many people think this village was the scene for the movietwilight. Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. Today, you have several options to choose from. It is not a coastal city as many people think, the region consists out of five different coastal towns. To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. Its worth a visit! Are you planning to travel to Italy? Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! This article contains several road trip itineraries in length and activities. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. 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. 10 Day Custom Tour. Afterwards, explore the town of Cortina dAmpezzo, check into your hotel, and then have dinner. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. Required fields are marked *. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. 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. 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. Not a big hiker? Day 2 in Milan. The train system is easy to use and efficient and you can get tickets in advance and with no extra agency charges on the official train site trenitalia.it What to pack for northern Italy Northern Italy has varied weather depending on the season and location. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. There is so much to find in Rome, historic building, culture, and great food! From Ponte dellAccademia, it is a short walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. After you arrive in Milan, you probably want to relax a bit first. 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. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. Highlights include time in the beautiful cities of Bergamo and Turin, a visit to the most beautiful monastery in Europe and a glimpse of the most iconic cathedral in the world (seriously!) 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. The best time to visit the Northern part of Italy is between the months of May and September. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. You'll visit two of Italy's best culinary regions, Emilia-Romagna and Piemonte; you'll marvel at Italy's most picturesque mountains in Trentino and Alto Adige; and you'll visit four lakes: Garda, Como, Orta, and Maggiore. So if youre lucky enough to spend more time on the road and enjoy your holiday, this itinerary is for you. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. You can also book one of the transport options below. However, for those arriving on a red eye flight, you will have just the afternoon for sightseeing. 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. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. For the best experience, book your ticket online. Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? If you dont want to spend four days in the Dolomites, you can take out a day and add it to Venice or spend a day at Lake Garda. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 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. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. Visions of Northern Italy: Hiking and Touring Lake Maggiore, Dolomites, Italian Riviera. 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. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! 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. Bus travel is also an option, but comes with its own challenges: one, understanding regional bus routes in a short period of time, and two, using coach buses means youll get dropped off in one spot and you dont have much freedom to travel around. This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. Which itinerary is on your bucket list? Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hiking in the Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary. I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. On the day you drive to the Dolomites, you will save a little bit of time, since you will not have to get back to the airport to pick up the car. It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. RENTAL CAR: You can drop your rental car in Verona (and travel by train for the rest of this itinerary, which is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly option) or keep it until the end of your trip. Find out more about Lon on his about page! From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia. WorldNomadsinsurance is what we feel is the most comprehensive and reliable travel insurance you can buy. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. The terrace is free to visit and you have a great view overlooking the Grand Canal. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. 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. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. 9 Day Custom Tour. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. 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. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. VENICE: Learn more about Venice in our article Best Things to Do in Venice. Our first recommendation is that you start in Milan. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. Because theres no traffic, the vibe is even more unique. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. It is fantastic to spend a half-day or full-day in this area. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. However, if you like the idea of visiting Lake Garda, here is a sample itinerary, if you have 12 days in Italy. Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. 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! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. You can find them on our recommendations page, or scroll down and read the plan your trip part in this article. 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). 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! Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views and the alpine culture! The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. 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. The towns in Cinque Terre used the be fisherman towns. 14 days or even longer is perfect for a road trip. With many historical buildings, it is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. It starts in Venice and ends in Milan, but it can just as easily be done in the opposite direction. 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. See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. It is a gorgeous basilica, both inside and out. From the train station, take the metro to Santa Maria delle Grazie for your scheduled viewing of the Last Supper. Remember to arrive 20 minutes before your appointment. If youre someone whos embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. Their search engine gives the best and most affordable results. On a privately guided journey that reveals Italy's splendours at their most compelling, enjoy a special early entrance to the Vatican, view the artistic treasures of Florence, learn about an art restoration project and sample Italian cuisine with tastings in Tuscany and a food tour in Venice. As you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal for the iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs. Then head over to the Dolomites: the most unique of mountains with jagged grey peaks surrounded by the absolutely stunning valleys and green hills of Trentino Alto-Adige. This way you can reach the historic city of Venice early morning and spend a few moments when it is not too busy. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. verona itinerary 1 day Verona location on Italy map | verona itinerary 1 day 10:00 am (#verona itinerary 1 day . Lagazuoi, Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary, The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the Tofana cable car | Northern Italy Itinerary. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. But sometimes you just dont have more time. Day 9 Milan. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. ), or visit on a guided tour. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. Your email address will not be published. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. Spend the day either hiking near Cortina dAmpezzo or visiting Lago di Braies. This is our second trip. If you will have a car, park your car at Tronchetto Parking. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. Restaurant Terrazza Danieli. However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. Sign me up for the newsletter & access to resources from The Travel Library! 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. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. In the evening, have dinner. Four nights in Milan with a day trip to the Lakes OR two nights in Milan and two nights at Lake Como. Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. 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. It is always fun to explore a city for the second time. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days. The cover photo for this itinerary was also taken at Lago di Braies. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. We would really like to visit Bologna and Florence again and have to add Verona for sure due to business (just 1 day business meeting). At every place where we recommend staying overnight, we put some recommendations for hotel bookings. Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. 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. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. However, you will have more travel time tomorrow to get to the airport. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. We recommend booking a departure from Florence because it saves you a lot of time. The entrance of the park is around 3,5 hours drive from Varenna. Your seat on this tour is just a click away! If youre working with a 10 day northern Italy trip, you can make it simple by spending two days in each place, or do as Im suggesting using Milan and Venice as your home bases to explore more with day trips. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. To make sure you dont spend to much time in the car we recommend staying somewhere around Lake Garda. 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. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I'm Michela, a travel photographer living in northern Italy with a passion for empowering wanderlusting women like you to travel fearlessly and start living their travel dream. Theres a constant wind blowing from the mountains which makes both lakes favorable for a fun sports day on the water. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. Made For Travellers is a participant in the ShareASale and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other websites. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. Then, ride the cable car to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. Make sure to bring some warm clothes, even in summer! Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. 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. And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. 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. 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. Customize your leisure days by adding excursions to your Northern Italy Itinerary. The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. Day 6 To Lake Garda. Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article: 7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. Strolling the canals is one of the best things to do in Venice and there are several ways to do it. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. There are two ways to visit Lake Como today. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. View from the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail | Northern Italy Itinerary. Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Northern Italy Itinerary, Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Northern Italy Itinerary. Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. Check online for details. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. Renting a car in advance can save you a lot of money. To get from the airport to your hotel in Venice, you can take the bus, a taxi, a vaporetto, or a water taxi. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. Many people want to visit these cities while visiting Italy, but especially Rome is a bit far regarding the other cities. Cinque Terreis a Unesco world heritage site. For this itinerary, you will get around by rental car and train. Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the most popular hikes to do in the Dolomites and you can easily add on the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint. Day 3 - Lake Como. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. 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.