See itinerary. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. 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. The terrace is free to visit and you have a great view overlooking the Grand Canal. Read my full disclosure! Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. 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. 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.. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. 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. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. 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. Italy Tourism Italy Hotels . Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. Known for its iconic leaning tower. 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. Our northern Italy itinerary became: Venice Florence Milan Lake Como Lake Maggiore. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. DAY 1: Venice. (Psst! Northern Italy is the most developed part of the country, so transportation is easy-to-access and can take you just about anywhere. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the canals of Venice. 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! This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. Answer 11 of 13: 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 is not a coastal city as many people think, the region consists out of five different coastal towns. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. As you cross Ponte della Paglia look down the canal for the iconic view of the Bridge of Sighs. The northern part of Italy is renowned for its beautiful mountain lakes. 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. Lago di Braies | Northern Italy Itinerary. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. 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. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. Sirmione is a historic town on a peninsula at the lake. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. At the end of the day, we recommend to leave Venice, hop in your car and drive to Florence, which is still a 3-hour drive. However, it would be pretty tough to see this all in a week, even with a car. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. A Northern Italy itinerary From the canals of Venice to the mighty Dolomites and the stunning Italian Riviera, there's so much to see and experience in this part of the country, so not everything is included in this list. Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. Last stop for lovers: Venice! Three rocky islands that were bought by the Borromean family centuries ago. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! Public transport adaptations. 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. Made For Travellers also participates in affiliate programs with Booking.com, Clickbank, WorldNomads, Rentalcars.com, TUI UK, Adsense, and other sites. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? Because theres no traffic, the vibe is even more unique. For more information on how to do this, click here. 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. Its airports are very well connected with Milan Bergamo being a major hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. This way youll spend your time in the most efficient way possible. Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. The biggest lake in Italy and Europe. Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. 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. 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. Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. If you plan to pick up the car on the day you drive to the Dolomites, the best place to rent the car is at the Mestre train station followed by the Venice Marco Polo airport. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Make sure to bring some warm clothes, even in summer! 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. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. As for picking up your rental car, you can do it on day 1, if you are arriving to the Venice airport. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. 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. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. 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). The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. From Milan, you can travel by train to Varenna (about 1 hour) or travel by train to Como (about 45 minutes) and then take a ferry to Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna (about 45 minutes). DAY 2: Exploring Venice DAY 3: Off the beaten path Venice DAY 4: Palladio Day! This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. Today, you have several options to choose from. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Among the Northern cities are Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice and Como, all within a 400 km straight line. The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. 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. There is plenty to keep you busy here for three days, and the minimum amount of time that we recommend is one day in Lake Garda. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? View from Castello Scaligero di Malcesine, Malcesine, Lake Garda. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. With the Northern Italy Highlights 10 days itinerary youll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. 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. Or, you can take a train from Verona to Milan (roughly 1.5 hours with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $27 USD). If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. Which itinerary is on your bucket list? This Italy travel itinerary includes in a lot of variety. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. You will have the afternoon free to do something, whether that is a hike or a scenic drive or a cable car ride. 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. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. Also, youll stay in the northern part of the region. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. 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. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. For this afternoon, we recommend something short and not too far away: Lagazuoi to the Falzarego Pass or the Cinque Torri with the optional add on Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau. 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. Best Time To Visit Italy For a 10 Day Trip. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. And during the night, most tourists left the historic center, so its much quieter. Approximately 100 kilometers driving a day should be your maximum, so you have enough time to explore the beautiful lakes. Fly into Milan or Bergamo airport, pick up a hire car and begin your exploration with Lake Como, the most breathtakingly beautiful expanse of water of all. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. 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. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia and the best things to do in Alberobello. The easiest way to get around northern Italy is by train. But if you like, you can explore the city. 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. With more time, you can add extra days to Venice, the Dolomites, or Lake Como. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. Learn more here. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 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. For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. 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). If you like hiking, we highly recommend the Croda da Lago Circuit, Lago di Sorapis, and the Cinque Torri + Rifugios Averau and Nuvolau, if you didnt do that yesterday. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. 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 have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. Many people want to visit these cities while visiting Italy, but especially Rome is a bit far regarding the other cities. Northern Italy Itinerary - 8. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. Milan to Florence is a great road trip, where you see the best parts the Tuscany and Cinque Terre region. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. For this itinerary, it is best to rent a car. 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. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. Day 9 Milan. 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. Not much driving after that . You can do this itinerary all year, but during the months of November, April, and even May, you will be very limited in what you can do in the Dolomites, as this area transitions between a hiking and skiing destination. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Savoia, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel in Cortina. I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. This cable car station is located in Cortina dAmpezzo and from the mountain station you have jaw-dropping views of the Dolomites. Lets start with the 10-day highlights! We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. 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. We recommend staying close by the park entrance. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. However, we recommend you to drive a few hours to Venice during the evening and stay overnight in Venice. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. The city is known for its hospitality. The parking garage can hold 4500 vehicles. Next, take the metro to the Duomo. Pick up your rental car, either from the parking garage in Venice, the Mestre train station, or from the airport. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. We chose for Milan as a starting point because it is easy to reach, either flying or overland. Did you know the famous tower straightens every year? Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. 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. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. The total length of this road trip is 388 miles (625 kilometers). 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. If you dont want to wait in line, you can join a skip-the-line tour. If you arrive in the morning on a red eye flight, this first day can be challenging. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. In some places, we recommend staying two nights, so it is more relaxed, and you allow yourself to really get to know the city or village. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. Parma is a city that will surprise you. Your email address will not be published. The city is bustling, and if you dont book your tickets in advance, there might be a chance you miss out on visiting the historic Duomo. In this road trip, we recommend you to start in Milan and leave the country from Venice. From Pisa, it is only a short drive to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. Plus, having a car makes it much easier to get around Lake Garda and transfer from Riva del Garda to Sirmione, and then once in Verona, you can drop the rental car if you prefer. All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. That is up to you and the flexibility of your travel dates! Our recommended places to stay are in two different villages. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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) Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. Find out more about Lon on his about page! From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. From Verona, it is easy to do the rest of the trip with public transportation. 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. Leave a comment! Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. 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. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. 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.