northern italy itinerary
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. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. 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! Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. Vicenza. 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. We recommend staying close by the park entrance. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. Youll drive around 62 miles (100 kilometers) a day, but that gives you enough time to explore the historical and traditional villages and countryside. 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). Or, you can take a train from Verona to Milan (roughly 1.5 hours with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $27 USD). 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. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); It is lovely to spend the night in Verona. We found that insurance can be a tricky thing, but since were using Rentalcover.com for our rental insurance, we stopped worrying. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. Cultural Exploration Family Tour of Northern Italy. 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. Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. 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! A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) 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. I recommend starting on Riva degli Schiavoni, which is a wide promenade that runs along the Venetian Lagoon. 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. 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. Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around, as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. This article does a great job describing the numerous options, which can be overwhelming to choose from. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. I've also offered options to add on other locations if you're travelling for longer too or adding Italy to part of a longer Europe itinerary . Entrance Fees: On this itinerary, entrance fees average out to roughly $50 USD per day, for the days that include a city visit. From Ponte dellAccademia, it is a short walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. However, the town Volterra in this movie is a fictional village and not the same as the historic Italian village. Pick up your rental car, either from the parking garage in Venice, the Mestre train station, or from the airport. In the morning, check out of your hotel. You can avoid the 5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use. Our road trip itineraries cover the different highlights in this part of the country. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 10 Days In Italy: An Unforgettable Northern Italy Itinerary Pick up the car ideally between 8 and 9 am (but even earlier is better), to give yourself as much time as possible in the Dolomites. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. The big Italian big four road trip. 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. Nowadays it has the third biggest harbor in the Mediterranean Sea. The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. From Pisa, it is only a short drive to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. 3 recommendations for a northern Italy itinerary You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. 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. Not much driving after that . 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. Northern Italy Itineraries for a Weekend, Week and Month in Northern Italy The city itself is not that big. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. 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. Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. 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. This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. ): Piedmont: at least 2 nights (Piedmont is a large region, so depending on how much you want to see, you could easily extend this a couple of nights) Lake Como: at least 1 night Bologna: at least 1 night Florence: at least 2 nights Verona: at least 1 night Lake Garda: at least 1 night (or even a day trip from Verona & you stay in Verona 2 nights) Dolomites: at least 2-3 nights. We chose for Milan as a starting point because it is easy to reach, either flying or overland. Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. Madonna della Corona is a church that clings to the side of a mountain. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. 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. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. However, the travel time is the longest. Dynamic pricing from $2,859. Northern Italy Train Itinerary: 14 Days By Rail From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. The Tuscany of northern Italy? All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. Lake Maggiore is in the second largest lake in Italy, and also crosses the border with Switzerland. If youre someone whos embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. It is still busy, but starting from 10 a.m., it is getting swamped. Things To Do In Milan. 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.. Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. Parmawill be the last city on this itinerary before you head back to Milan. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. An Epic Northern Italy Itinerary (10 Days) - Every Steph I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 different 10-14 days itineraries Day 4 The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cinque Terre. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. Three Weeks in Northern Italy: a Travel Itinerary This medieval town is great for a day visit. 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. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. Spend the afternoon by hiking one of the nearby trails. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. 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. From Florence to Rome it is about 3 to 4 hours drive. Required fields are marked *. 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. We recommend leaving early in the morning, so you have enough time to reach the park. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. Best Northern Italy Itineraries & Tours 2023-2024 | Zicasso But in five days you still can see a lot. In the evening, have dinner. Milan 2 Nights. To enter Venice, youll need to buy a ticket, which gives you also access to the taxi boats. It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Northern Italy Itinerary, Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Northern Italy Itinerary. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. Artist likeMichaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Machiavellilived and worked in the city of Florence.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Florence is probably the city with the most historic architecture in Italy. 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. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. The parking garage can hold 4500 vehicles. Also, the countryside is renowned for its vineyards, so it is excellent to go for a local winetasting. If youre into hiking, watersports, or just want to experience the beauty of nature, this road trip might be something for you. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. In between these two cities, it's easy to access the gems of Northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. We wrote this article about the city where you can read all the essential details. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Northern Italy itinerary: lakes, mountains and medieval villages Or, venture to Val di Funes, to hike the Adolf Munkel Weg and/or walk the Santa Maddalena Trail for gorgeous views of the Santa Maddalena church. Leave a comment! The Borromean Islands are the main attraction at Lake Maggiore. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Savoia, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel in Cortina. Milan Lake Como Cinque Terre Venice Dolomites Highlights To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Its also a little easier to get from Verona to Milan by train. Day 1 in Milan - hit the highlights. Here youll find many small traditional restaurants, the best place to have a relaxing night after much walking in the city! Bologna 2 Nights. For drinks and dining, we recommend you to go to theTrastevereneighborhood. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. Breakdown of your 2 weeks in Northern Italy Milan: 2 days Lake Como: 2 days Lake Garda: 2 days Verona: 1 day Dolomites: 5 days Venice: 2 days You can choose whether you start in Milan and end in Venice, or go in reverse. Highlights of your one-week itinerary include visiting the Museo Egizio in Milan, taking a boat trip on one of the lakes . 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. Four nights in Milan with a day trip to the Lakes OR two nights in Milan and two nights at Lake Como. 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. We also have information about things to do in Sirmione and Riva del Garda. 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. I also recommend asking your hotel for the best way to get to the hotel. Its worth a visit! Grand Canal of Venice from T Fondaco Terrace | Northern Italy Itinerary. Italy All Italy Hotels Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. 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. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. DAY 2: Exploring Venice DAY 3: Off the beaten path Venice DAY 4: Palladio Day! When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. With more time, you can add extra days to Venice, the Dolomites, or Lake Como. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. Northern Italy Itinerary - 8. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. If you have longer, great! Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: 2023 Guide - Wanderlust Chloe Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! Our northern Italy itinerary, 7 days from the Alps to Milan, is all about exploring the wonders that lie at the top end of the boot. 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. 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. There are several options to spend five days in the Northern part of Italy. There are some splendid botanical gardens and excellent hiking trails around the lake. Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. 14 days or even longer is perfect for a road trip. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. As you continue east on the promenade, you will pass Hotel Danieli and to your right will be gorgeous views across the canal. But this is more expensive, since you are paying for 2 days of a rental car plus parking fees. Verona itinerary 1 day Suggested Verona one day trip & how to spend Their search engine gives the best and most affordable results. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). It costs 7.50 for a one-way ticket (good for 75 minutes) or 21 for a 24-hour ticket. Day 3 - Lake Como. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. The basilica does not open until 9:30 am, but we recommend getting here at 9 am, or even a little earlier, to avoid a long wait in line. One week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary: Your 7 Day Guide Strolling the canals is one of the best things to do in Venice and there are several ways to do it. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. Sitting next to the Rialto Bridge is the T Fondaco Terrace. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). The Ultimate Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks A Cost Guide. The entire itinerary can be done as a road trip or you can rent a car just for the Dolomites. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. 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. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. Tickets are often fully booked, and you need to choose a particular time slot to visit the Duomo. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary. DAY 1: Venice. Gems of Northern Italy | Smithsonian Journeys You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. No itinerary in Northern Italy should not leave unvisited one of the most iconic and romantic places there is - Venice. You can have lunch or dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Venetian Lagoon. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. Northern Italy Itinerary: One to two-week guide to Northern Italy From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored. 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+. See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. Curious for more ideas? For dinner, we recommend Osteria Enoteca San Marco (one of our favorite restaurants and it is located near St. Marks Square), Impronta (a seafood restaurant popular with locals and tourists), Ristorante CaDolfin (gets rave reviews and is located in Canareggio), and Restaurant Quadri (a Michelin-starred restaurant). The terrace is free to visit and you have a great view overlooking the Grand Canal. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. Northern Italy Itinerary - Joy of Italy Tours Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. 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. Italy Flights to Italy You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. You can either day trip from Milan, just visiting Lake Como for the day, spending another night in Milan. 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. 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. Northern Italy Roadtrip Itinerary | 5, 10 and 14 days The city is busy, and most roads are one direction only. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. Manage Settings We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. from $16,495 /10 days. When you would rather looking for other accommodation, make sure to use this link, which will direct you to the best deals in Milan on Booking.com. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. But sometimes you just dont have more time. Planning the best order of visiting these places will depend on what airport you end up flying into, as well as what day your business meeting falls on! Not a big hiker? 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. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. 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. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. 7 Days in Northern Italy Itinerary: Pastels, Prosciutto & Parmigiana We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. The roads are good condition, and the views are just stunning. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. The basics are the same as the 10-day itinerary for Northern Italy, but we added more stops and more time for sightseeing and exploring. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. Croda da Lago Circuit | Northern Italy Itinerary, Lago di Sorapis | Northern Italy Itinerary. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. The lake is the largest in the southern part of Switzerland. See itinerary. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. Our first recommendation is that you start in Milan. 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. The cover photo for this itinerary was also taken at Lago di Braies. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. Are you planning to travel to Italy? Learn how to spend one perfect day in Verona. But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. 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.. You can easily make it everywhere in Florence by walking, but public transportation is available if you need it. Learn more here. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. 7 Days in Italy Itinerary - a guide to what not to miss in Northern Italy We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. Day 9 Milan. As for picking up your rental car, you can do it on day 1, if you are arriving to the Venice airport. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Dolomites Day 6: Dolomites Day 7: Verona Day 8: Milan Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio Day 10: Fly Home Northern Italy itinerary map About this Northern Italy Itinerary Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino.
northern italy itinerary