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 best time to visit the Northern part of Italy is between the months of May and September. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. Northern Italy has an amazingly extensive train network that connect many of the country's top destinations. Also, we will recommend places to stay in each recommended city where you will stay overnight during this road trip. Map for your Northern Italy road trip View from the Puez-Odle Altopiano trail | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. 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! Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. It is a gorgeous basilica, both inside and out. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas. ): 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. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. They made these islands in the beautiful botanical gardens which they are now. We chose for Milan as a starting point because it is easy to reach, either flying or overland. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). The top places in Northern Italy are Venice, Verona, Milan, Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. When you still have time for exploring, we recommend dropping your rental car at the drop-off and head to the city center. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. For a full list of things to do, check out our Guide to Verona, but the top sights include Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena, Ponte Pietra, Torre dei Lamberti, and Juliettes House. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. Note: This post contains affiliate links. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. Here are some suggestions: Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto! Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Lots of time and effort goes on behind the scenes to keep the free resources coming, so, if you have found my website or personal help useful and want to support me. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. The view from Marmolada | Northern Italy Itinerary. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. Day 1: Arrive in Venice Day 2: Venice Day 3: Dolomites Day 4: Dolomites Day 5: Dolomites Day 6: Dolomites Day 7: Northern end of Lake Garda (stay in Riva del Garda) Day 8: Southern end of Lake Garda (stay in Sirmione) Day 9: Verona Day 10: Milan Day 11: Lake Como day trip Day 12: Fly home. For this Itinerary we recommend you to start in Milan. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Mainly because there are so many medieval villages to visit. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. From the Rialto Bridge, ride the vaporetto to Pont dellAccademia. Day 5 Cinque Terre. 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). 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. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. If you are having trouble narrowing down which places are the top to visit for you or youre starting from scratch seeking inspiration, youll find the perfect northern Italy itinerary for you in this post, along with tips for visiting this part of the country. 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. DAY 1: Venice. San Gimignanois another great historic medieval village to visit. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. 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. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. You will have the afternoon free to do something, whether that is a hike or a scenic drive or a cable car ride. Lake Garda is even the biggest lake in Europe, and Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are set in some beautiful environments. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. Your email address will not be published. It is one of our favorite cities in Italy! Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. In the evening, have dinner and check into your hotel. 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 Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. They'are also a top destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers from all over the world. On the second day, we recommend you to travel to Lake Como, somewhere after lunch. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, if you have more then 10 days for your holiday, it is easier to manage. Day 3 - Lake Como. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. Not a big hiker? You can also book one of the transport options below. This article does a great job describing the numerous options, which can be overwhelming to choose from. 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. From this window, prisoners on their way to execution would have one final view of the city. link to 20 Best Things To Do In Fogo, Cape Verde, link to Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? Not to worry. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. 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. But in five days you still can see a lot. Places you dont want to miss while visiting Florence are: When you want to visit the Duomo, you must reserve a ticket in advance. If youre into hiking, watersports, or just want to experience the beauty of nature, this road trip might be something for you. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. We will skip the Dolomites during this road trip because the drive is taking to much time. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. 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. Start as far west as possible in Courmayeur to visit Mont Blanc and the Val Ferret. It's the world's largest gothic cathedral and is absolutely stunning! . 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. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. Making your way from the Western Alps, youll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps. To avoid waiting in line, you can purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. 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. Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. 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. It just depends on what you feel is more convenient. 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. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Parmawill be the last city on this itinerary before you head back to Milan. If you're planning to visit the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, you might be looking for a list of the best things to do in Fogo. 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. We wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. As you tour Doges Palace, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. Check online for details. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. Required fields are marked *. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. We recommend spending two full days to explore the Dolomites and do some hiking. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. Here are some foods to try in every region on this itinerary: Starting in Piemonte, the speciality is one of the most expensive and luxurious foods in the world: truffles! Sienais renowned for the largest medieval square and the famous Torre del Mangia. 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. Curious about more spots to hit? Italy All Italy Hotels This Northern Italy Itinerary is really made for all of the free-spirited travelers. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. I also recommend asking your hotel for the best way to get to the hotel. from $16,495 /10 days. 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 itinerary takes you all the way from Milan to Venice, and from Venice to Florence. 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. View from the Rialto Bridge | Northern Italy Itinerary. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. Lake Garda is known for its beautiful historic villages and also beautiful landscapes. Milan can be a great starting point too. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. 5 days is very short, and you need to make some choices in what places youre going to visit. Or maybe you didnt have time on your first day to see all the highlights of the city. For DaVincis Last Supper you must book a time slot in advance. With many historical buildings, it is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. You also have the option to add Lake Garda. The Doges Palace is located next to St. Marks Basilica. If you dont want to go hiking on your first day, and the skies are clear, ride the Freccia nel Cielo cable car to Cima Tofana. Because theres no traffic, the vibe is even more unique. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. The drive is a bit far, around 3 hours from the national park Ademello Breno, but youll have the best views from the cable car of the highest mountain peak! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. 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. Tonight, stay in Cortina dAmpezzo. We've only ever traveled by public transportation in Italy and so that's how we designed these itineraries. But sometimes you just dont have more time. Verona is located in northern Italy, about 110km from the romantic city of Venice. From Venice, it is a 2-hour drive to Cortina dAmpezzo, in the Dolomites. Best Time To Visit Italy For a 10 Day Trip. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. 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. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. 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. Or, you can take a train from Verona to Milan (roughly 1.5 hours with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $27 USD). 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). 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. Milan has many accommodations where you can stay. Highlights of your one-week itinerary include visiting the Museo Egizio in Milan, taking a boat trip on one of the lakes . 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. Required fields are marked *. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary - Italy Forum. The highlights you dont want to miss are; Varenna is the best place to stay at Lake Como for this road trip. Your last stop on this itinerary is tapping into a bit of central Italy territory, but it is a must stop for foodies. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. If you cant get one, consider joining a tour. Some hotels will have designated parking, either with or without an additional fee. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Check out the map with extra suggestions: I could go on and on about all of the beautiful places to visit in northern Italy, but this post would then be at least 10,000 words. Manage Settings Luckily theres much more to see in Verona, some of the famous landmarks are Castelvecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Verona Arena. I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Alternative: skip Veneto and head to Liguria to enjoy the glamorous Portofino. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. 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. Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Northern Italy Itinerary, Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Northern Italy Itinerary. Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. 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. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Grand Canal of Venice from T Fondaco Terrace | Northern Italy Itinerary. Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. 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). This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around, as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. From the Dolomites, visit lovely Verona, Milan, and spend a day at Lake Como. Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. 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 leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. After you woke up and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views, it is time to hit the road again. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. Spend the day either hiking near Cortina dAmpezzo or visiting Lago di Braies. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. The Tuscany of northern Italy? So the first day we dont plan that much. 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. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. I highly suggest taking a look at the embedded maps to discover places worth adding to your itinerary based on the amount of time you have available. People. Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy. Regardless, these two sister cities are only 40 minutes apart by car, but exhibit completely different landscapes. 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. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. 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. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). 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. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. You can either day trip from Milan, just visiting Lake Como for the day, spending another night in Milan. 1000 Gourmet Venezia gets great reviews, serves pizza and pasta, and is located on a side street just a few blocks northeast of St. Marks Square. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. From Verona, it is easy to do the rest of the trip with public transportation. The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Milan 2 Nights. 6 Northern Italy Road Trip itinerary: Nature edition (6-14 days) 6.1 The Dolomites - 6 days. I will sprinkle in extra tips and suggestions based on my own experience (so you dont have to make the same mistakes I have) and extra destinations as well so you can play with how much extra time you have and be informed about other places in the area well-worth seeing. Cinque Terreis a Unesco world heritage site. You can easily take public transportation from and to the airport. Vicenza. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You cant take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. Stay overnight in Lake Como (for longer Northern Italy itineraries) Additional day trip from Milan - Bergamo. MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. VERONA: Verona is a beautiful city in northern Italy. For more details about this day, refer to day 1 of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. The roads are good condition, and the views are just stunning.