He travels the world with the love of his life and writes about inspiring cultures and practical travel tips. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. Manage Settings From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. 6.2 Lake Garda - 2 days. Italy All Italy Hotels However, the travel time is the longest. Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. Life moves just a little bit slower, especially up in Citt Alta, an UNESCO World Heritage site and the medieval, historic old town that rests on a hilltop overlooking the more economic center, Citt Bassa. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. . Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. Day 3 - 4: Swoon Over Picturesque Cinque Terre. Our recommended articles are: Driving from Genoa to Parma is a beautiful road when you skip the tollroads. As far as how long to spend in each place, here are my recommendations for a minimum amount of stay based on how much there is to do in each place (& my personal favorite spots! Continue with Recommended Cookies. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. 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. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. Renting a car in advance can save you a lot of money. We feel it is essential that you plan your trip with the best booking recourses. 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. We recommend staying a bit out of the center, which saves you tons of money. 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. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? The Rialto Bridge is a covered footbridge that is lined with shops. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. 6.3 Add on: Verona/Venice/Milan 2 days eachItaly. 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. Gondola ride for two? Map for your Northern Italy road trip We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. To discover the most elegant and upper-class side of Italy. Verona is worldwide known as the city of love. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. By car, it is a 160 km drive that takes 2 hours. 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). You can use these Google Maps as a recommended route to follow.Click on the image to open the map on GoogleMaps.com. From Ponte dellAccademia, it is a short walk to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. The Tuscany of northern Italy? It is recommended to plan this a few weeks before your arrival. The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. For more information, refer to day #7 of our Dolomites Itinerary. This is a good option for those who want to spend the night in a beautiful lakeside town. It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. 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. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. 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. Not a big hiker? This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. Day 5 Cinque Terre. Here youll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. Many people think this village was the scene for the movietwilight. Depending on your departure time you can explore the islands around the historical city of Venice or go directly to the airport. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. 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. This 17 km (10.6 mile) hike takes 6 to 9 hours and starts in Selva di Val Gardena. 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). There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days We recommend staying close by the park entrance. 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). Public transport adaptations. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. This way youll spend your time in the most efficient way possible. If you enjoy hiking, put as many days as you can in the Dolomites (in our opinion, its a better use of time than adding on Lake Garda, mentioned next). Millions of tourists travel every year to this renowned place. 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. The icon of the city is the Duomo Cathedral. We always use rentalcars.com for booking a car. Lake Garda is even the biggest lake in Europe, and Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are set in some beautiful environments. If you have longer, great! You can easily make it everywhere in Florence by walking, but public transportation is available if you need it. This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle DAosta, the smallest and most underrated of the regions. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. Tuscany region is great to spend more time. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Restaurant Rifugio Ospitale is located outside of town but is also very highly rated. 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! The roads are good condition, and the views are just stunning. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. 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. For suggestions on where to stay in Venice, take a look at our Venice Hotel Guide. 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. 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. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. 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. 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. One of our favourite Northern Italy itineraries calls for a leisurely weekend in Northern Italy focused around the Italian Lakes, a popular stop on the European grand tour. 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 You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. This is our second trip. If you leave by 9 am, you will arrive in Verona just before noon. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. We recommend booking a departure from Florence because it saves you a lot of time. After a few days in Venice, youll spend four days exploring the Dolomites, a world-class hiking destination filled with some of the best outdoor scenery in all of Europe. If you dont want to spend four days in the Dolomites, you can take out a day and add it to Venice or spend a day at Lake Garda. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. Their search engine gives the best and most affordable results. 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). Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda. 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. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. Milan can be a great starting point too. Hiking in the Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary. Youll be able to use your time in the most efficint way. 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. 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 With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Also, youll stay in the northern part of the region. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. 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. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. 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! 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. They arent as cheap as buses, but theyre less expensive than renting a car. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. Drive over the Sella Pass and check into your hotel in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Day 3 Florence. A visit to St. Marks Basilica (once you are inside), lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, to walk through the basilica, see the Pala dOro, and take in the view from the terrace. Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. Your seat on this tour is just a click away! 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. The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). Instead the meals are heartier, which reflect the lifestyle of people living here: industrial workers or those living in the Alps having to face long winters. 10 days is great, but also a bit short with so much to see around this part of Italy. The upside is that you can explore Venice by night when you arrive not too late. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Start as far west as possible in Courmayeur to visit Mont Blanc and the Val Ferret. Here's a one week in Northern Italy Travel Itinerary you'll want to follow. 10 Day Custom Tour. As you tour Doges Palace, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia and the best things to do in Alberobello. Julie Last updated: January 29, 2023 Italy Leave a Comment. Hopefully, youll never use it, but when you need it, it is good to know theres a company out there helping you. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. The city of Genoa was always an important harbor city for Italy. Whats more exciting than an Italy road trip? Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. Both these cities will be your home base on this kind of itinerary. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hi there! Today, you have several options to choose from. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Geisler Alm, Adolf Munkel Weg | Northern Italy Itinerary. There are many accommodations to find in Venice. For full details on how to do this, refer to our Lake Como Day Trip guide and Things to Do in Bellagio. This Italy itinerary is a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. Known for its iconic leaning tower. After you woke up and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views, it is time to hit the road again. Northern Italy has an amazingly extensive train network that connect many of the country's top destinations. Bologna is the origin of many Italian food favorites: Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella, Rag Bolognese, Balsamic Vinegar and Lasagne. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). Franciacorta. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. The city is known for its parma ham and renowned parmesan cheese. So the first day we dont plan that much. If you arrive in the morning on a red eye flight, this first day can be challenging. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We recommend using the parks website to find out the best hiking trails. LAKE GARDA: Plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Lake Garda. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. 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. It is possible to get around by bus, but buses have limited schedules and do not always run on time. 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. It is one of the oldest places in Tuscany. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. Discover more specific destinations for loved-up travelers on the map: Italian food is in a league of its own, but youll soon find out when visiting northern Italy that the traditional dishes are not pasta and pizza. 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. Arrive on an empty stomach! Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. 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. Your email address will not be published. Italy All Italy Hotels Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. Highlights of your one-week itinerary include visiting the Museo Egizio in Milan, taking a boat trip on one of the lakes . The drive from Parma to Milan is around 2 hours. The route will be slightly different. Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. Arena Suite is a 4-star hotel in the city center that has large rooms and gets exceptional reviews. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. It will take around 2 hours to reach the lake. Polenta is a versatile grain made plain, with cheese or as Polenta Contadina, made with cheese, spinach, and local sausage. 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.
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