We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. Curious about more spots to hit? The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. Nowadays it has the third biggest harbor in the Mediterranean Sea. 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. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again! (Psst! We recommend using rentalcover. The dolomites are great for exploring nature and hiking. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. 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. The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. This way we make sure we get the best places to stay. Among the Northern cities are Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice and Como, all within a 400 km straight line. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. Here youll find many small traditional restaurants, the best place to have a relaxing night after much walking in the city! Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. If you dont want to wait in line, you can join a skip-the-line tour. We wrote this article about the city where you can read all the essential details. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. If skies are clear, consider riding the cable car from Cortina dAmpezzo to Cima Tofana for one of the best views of the Dolomites. 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! It is not a coastal city as many people think, the region consists out of five different coastal towns. 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. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. The 922-passenger ship is the first of six planned eco-conscious vessels that will sail six- to 35-night immersive itineraries, first in Northern Europe and then in South America, and feature nine inclusive dining experiences, four pools (one with a tractable roof), and 10 bars and lounges (several featuring hand-crafted Steinway pianos . Milan can be a great starting point too. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. After you woke up and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views, it is time to hit the road again. 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. This walled village with a big cathedral dates back to the 8th century BC! 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. As for picking up your rental car, you can do it on day 1, if you are arriving to the Venice airport. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. Our road trip itineraries cover the different highlights in this part of the country. You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. Best Time To Visit Italy For a 10 Day Trip. The Doges Palace is located next to St. Marks Basilica. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! This is a more expensive option, since daily rental fees typically cost more than train tickets, plus you will have the added parking fees and hassle of parking in Verona and Milan. For this Itinerary we recommend you to start in Milan. 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. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. Made For Travellers is best known for its in-depth articles about Rooftop Tent Traveling, Caravan Lifestyle, and cultural destinations worldwide.We also share our personal stories of escaping "the corporate rat race" and following the path to freedom, love, happiness, and a fulfilled life. To get here, you will park in town and it is a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) downhill walk to the church (or you can take a bus). Rome is a special city to visit. Check out the map to see this sample itinerary and extra suggestions on where to visit: Some travelers cant get enough of a historic, bustling European city and Italy is rich with them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Italy All Italy Hotels 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. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. See Day 1 of this northern Italy itinerary for restaurant suggestions. All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. Two nights in the Dolomites. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. Lago di Braies is a beautiful lake to visit and great for families and those who dont want to do a lot of hiking. It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting. 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. It is a gorgeous basilica, both inside and out. I do not recommend making big plans today (no St. Marks Basilica or Doges Palace visits) because you might be exhausted. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. Not a big hiker? Get updated hours and pricing on the official website. Plan on spending about 2 to 3 hours in both Varenna and Bellagio. 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. Visions of Northern Italy: Hiking and Touring Lake Maggiore, Dolomites, Italian Riviera. This article does a great job describing the numerous options, which can be overwhelming to choose from. You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. Grand Canal of Venice from T Fondaco Terrace | Northern Italy Itinerary. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. Manage Settings Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. Sienais renowned for the largest medieval square and the famous Torre del Mangia. The other option to spend only 5 days in the northern part is excellent for hiking enthusiasts. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. I think it is best to cut costs by staying in a cheaper hotel or eating out less often, so you can take the faster train and have more time exploring the city. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. Sign me up for the newsletter & access to resources from The Travel Library! We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! Hopefully, youll never use it, but when you need it, it is good to know theres a company out there helping you. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. Milan 2 Nights. Leave a comment! Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. Curious for more ideas? Bologna 2 Nights. 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 always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. Sirmione, which is a bit more expensive option, but probably one of the most romantic places youll ever sleep. Learn more here. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. 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. This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. For full details on how to do this, refer to our Lake Como Day Trip guide and Things to Do in Bellagio. Were here to help you plan the best road trip in Northern Italy. Not much driving after that . DAY 5: Beautiful city of Verona DAY 6: Majestic Lake Garda DAY 7: Emilia Romagna, foodie's paradise DAY 8: Parma, gastronomy day DAY 9: Maranello (Ferrari and fun cooking) DAY 10: Gastronomic capital Bologna DAY 11: Ravenna and its UNESCO world heritage sites The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. You can easily spend a few weeks in the Tuscany region, but during this road trip in the Northern part of Italy, we recommend that you stay in the west part of Tuscany.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-leader-2-0'); Leaving Florence we recommend you to drive toSiena San Gimignano Volterra Pisa. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. At the Grand Canal, there are many taxi boats where you can hop on and off with your ticket. Day 2 in Milan. So we recommend staying at the outside center ring, which makes it easy to park your car. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. I also recommend asking your hotel for the best way to get to the hotel. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. 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. A Cost Guide. We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. Day 4 Stresa and Orta San Giulio. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. Tickets are often fully booked, and you need to choose a particular time slot to visit the Duomo. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Florence was the center of trade and banking during medieval times. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. The road trip to Rome will take up a half-day. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. Where To Stay In Milan. Regardless, these two sister cities are only 40 minutes apart by car, but exhibit completely different landscapes. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. You can also book one of the transport options below. Four nights in Milan with a day trip to the Lakes OR two nights in Milan and two nights at Lake Como. On our first trip to the Dolomites, we had three days and once there, we wished we had a lot more time. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. Here are some in-depth guides to help you plan exactly what to do in each destination: Check out this Google Maps Trip Planner with extra itinerary suggestions: Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the Italian Alps. 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. You can find them on our recommendations page, or scroll down and read the plan your trip part in this article. Travel insurance is essential for your belongings and healthcare while traveling. In the Dolomites, the first snow begins to fall sometime in October and continues through May, so during this time, the hiking trails will be covered with snow. 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. Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. 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. Waking up early in Venice and arriving in the historical center before 10 a.m. is recommended. This itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. 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. Keep in mind that Milan Bergamo is about an hour outside of Milan. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. We will skip the Dolomites during this road trip because the drive is taking to much time. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda. 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. Santuario Madonna della Corona | Northern Italy Itinerary. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! 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. 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. Its a cheap way to get around Venice and the views are amazing, as you cruise along the Grand Canal. 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. from $16,495 /10 days. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. They arent as cheap as buses, but theyre less expensive than renting a car. Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. This evening, return to Milan or check into your hotel in Bellagio or Varenna. PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia and the best things to do in Alberobello. This medieval town is great for a day visit. There are some splendid botanical gardens and excellent hiking trails around the lake. 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. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in Italy. Our Florence hotel recommendations:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Florence is known as the heart of the Rennaissance. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. We have made a train itinerary for you that can be shortened or lengthened based on your preferences. If youre thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. 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. It starts in Venice and ends in Milan, but it can just as easily be done in the opposite direction. 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. Public transport in Florence is perfect, so the next day you dont have any problems reaching the city center. If you rather look up a hotel yourself we recommend using the searching tool: Tip: We only book accommodations on Booking.com that are rated with an 8.5 or higher. Italy in Spring guide coming soon!). 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. DOLOMITES: For links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, take a look at our Dolomites Travel Guide. The people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. 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. 7 Days of Northern Italy Itinerary: Northern Italy Itinerary Day 1-2: Bologna. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. WorldNomadsinsurance is what we feel is the most comprehensive and reliable travel insurance you can buy. 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. 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. In the next part, youll find step by step itineraries where we explain the best stops, famous landmarks, and best places to stay. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Northern Italy Itinerary, Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Northern Italy Itinerary. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. If you will have a car, park your car at Tronchetto Parking. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. For those who want to combine a few Italian cities with some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, youll love this northern Italy itinerary. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Verona is the ultimate city of romance in Italy: the setting of Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet, made up of rose-hued buildings and castles nestled over the Adige River. The city of Verona is a maximum one hour drive from Lake Garda. 4 Northern Italy itineraries - How to spend a week in Northern Italy Northern Italy Itinerary n 1: Milan, Como Lake, Venice, and Verona You can also see the map here Why? Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. Relais Balcone di Giulietta is another highly rated hotel located next to Juliets balcony. Shakespeares love story Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. 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 more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. People. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. 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 parking garage can hold 4500 vehicles. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. 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). Depending on your departure time you can either explore the city of Milan for a second time or maybe need to go directly to the airport. Spend the day either hiking near Cortina dAmpezzo or visiting Lago di Braies. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. But you will have a little more flexibility for Lake Como. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. Most of the landmarks are in walking distance, and public transport is excellent. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. For more details about this day, refer to day 1 of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. It is the highest mountain in this mountain range. The city itself is not that big. The route will be slightly different. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. 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. 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.