Many people want to visit these cities while visiting Italy, but especially Rome is a bit far regarding the other cities. 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. However, if you like the idea of visiting Lake Garda, here is a sample itinerary, if you have 12 days in Italy. Once in the area of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, you will get around by ferry, which runs frequently and it doesnt take long to get from town to town. There is still plenty to do here that involves little to no hiking. Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. Things To Do In Cinque Terre. Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. The two best lakes for watersports like kite- and windsurfing are Lake Como and Lake Garda. 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. Your email address will not be published. The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who arent nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. It costs 7.50 for a one-way ticket (good for 75 minutes) or 21 for a 24-hour ticket. The months July and August are the high tourist seasons, so it is busier during these months. 10 Day Custom Tour. . Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. The Dolomiti Lodge Alvergets exceptional reviews. For full details of this itinerary, plus suggestions on how to visit the Duomo and see the Last Supper, refer to our One Day in Milan Itinerary. Arrive on an empty stomach! Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. In the evening, have dinner. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. Even though two nights in Venice are not quite enough, my Northern Italy itinerary would include just that. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. DAY 1: Venice. This road trip is around 500 kilometers, maybe a bit more depending on where you go around the lakes. You can start this itinerary from top to bottom - Venice to Rome, or the other way round from Rome to Venice. Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times). 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. Planning your trip to the Northern part of Italy is exciting but can be overwhelming as well. The last day of this road trip itinerary is traveling back to Milan. Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how youll get around. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. Nowadays the most important source of income is tourism. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. Where To Stay In Cinque Terre. And Hotel Torcolo Residenze del Cuore is a centrally located budget hotel that gets very good reviews. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. 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! Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. 7.1 Venice - 5 days. 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! We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. Get the full details on what to see and do in our Guide to St. Marks Basilica. 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. 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. 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. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone's northern Italy bucket list. You will stay in Milan for one to two nights, depending on how you plan to visit Lake Como. (Psst! 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. Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. Day 9 Milan. Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1-3 Veneto. Youll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. Pick up the car from the airport, drive to Venice, and park it in a parking garage during your time in Venice (you wont need it). Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. You wont reach the Tuscany region. They arent as cheap as buses, but theyre less expensive than renting a car. You can either day trip from Milan, just visiting Lake Como for the day, spending another night in Milan. For those adventure seeker and outdoor sportsmen, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season. From Duomo Square, visit the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. It may look like I put a lot of time into the Dolomites (because I did ). If you have longer, great! 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. Read my full disclosure! Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. Our first recommendation is that you start in Milan. 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. Highlights of your one-week itinerary include visiting the Museo Egizio in Milan, taking a boat trip on one of the lakes . We've only ever traveled by public transportation in Italy and so that's how we designed these itineraries. Many great artists and philosophers lived in Florence during the middle ages. Curious about more spots to hit? However, the travel time is the longest. 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. With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. Ride the elevator to the top of the Campanile for the best 360 view of Venice. 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. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. If youre hoping to visit many places that arent major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car. Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. If you have a car and plan to stay in the city center, ask your hotel for advice on where to park. 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). You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. We also find that their customer service is excellent. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. 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. Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, perhaps even the world. Milan - 2-3 nights. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. We recommend that you pick up your rental car right before you leave the city and travel to lake Como. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. 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. The dolomites are great for exploring nature and hiking. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Its easy to travel between Milan and Venice by train, so you can get back to your starting point without much time, effort, and money. This 17 km (10.6 mile) hike takes 6 to 9 hours and starts in Selva di Val Gardena. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. However, the Dolomites can be cold year-round, especially when you go high into the mountains. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. 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! The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. Verona 2 Nights. We recommend staying in the town of Varenna, which is the easiest to reach, and on the road, youll need to follow the next day. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. This is our second trip. Things To Do In Milan. 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). But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. And you dont need your rental car while staying in Milan. We wrote some articles about Rome, that might interest you: There are many options for a road trip in the Northern part of Italy. Sign me up for the newsletter & access to resources from The Travel Library! Genoa is excellent to spend a few days and explore the extensive history. 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 wrote an in-depth guide about Cinque Terre. Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. Ideally, plan to arrive in Venice early in the morning, or even the night before, to make the most of this day. 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. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. Cinque Terreis a Unesco world heritage site. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. You will stay in Venice for two nights. The cover photo for this itinerary was also taken at Lago di Braies. Bergamo 2 Nights. The Rialto Bridge is a covered footbridge that is lined with shops. We recommend using the parks website to find out the best hiking trails. Last stop for lovers: Venice! The weather around the lakes and in the mountains can vary heavily day to day. We wrote this article about the city where you can read all the essential details. 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. Tre Cime di Lavaredo | Northern Italy Itinerary, Cadini di Misurina viewpoint | Northern Italy Itinerary. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna, which are on Lake Como. Verona is a great city to spend your day. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. Public transport in Florence is perfect, so the next day you dont have any problems reaching the city center. Heres a more in-depth look at how to get around northern Italy: There are both national train lines and regional train lines, meaning you are well-connected between the major cities and there are also options to reach smaller towns. You can also go around Switzerland and stay in Italy, but thats a longer drive. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, visit Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como. 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. 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. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. Click on the banner to get more information on the website of World Nomads. You'll visit two of Italy's best culinary regions, Emilia-Romagna and Piemonte; you'll marvel at Italy's most picturesque mountains in Trentino and Alto Adige; and you'll visit four lakes: Garda, Como, Orta, and Maggiore. With the Northern Italy Highlights 10 days itinerary youll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. If youre working with a 10 day northern Italy trip, you can make it simple by spending two days in each place, or do as Im suggesting using Milan and Venice as your home bases to explore more with day trips. For a splurge, we recommend the Granbaita Dolomites, a luxury hotel with a wellness center. Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. Verona Arena is one of the best-preserved Amphitheaters in the world. For this itinerary, it is best to rent a car. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. As you stroll through Venice, go shopping, have a glass of wine or aperitif at a caf, snack on cicchetti, or hire a gondola. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that youll find many different versions. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. 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! Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. verona itinerary 1 day Verona location on Italy map | verona itinerary 1 day 10:00 am (#verona itinerary 1 day . From here, you get one of the best views of Venice, and it is a nice way to start your visit to this city. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. Check out more in-depth locations for the perfect city-break itinerary to northern Italy on the map: Its no secret Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world to visit, so Ive also curated a North Italy itinerary perfect for couples, whether on honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a romantic trip. You can read all the details about Genoa in this. Alternatively, you can rent a car for the full 10 days. Our road trip itineraries cover the different highlights in this part of the country. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. 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 and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The city itself is not that big. Well, that is why I created this article to help you in the best way Why Is Everything So Cheap In Portugal? The other option to spend only 5 days in the northern part is excellent for hiking enthusiasts. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. In the next part, you'll find step by step itineraries where we explain the best stops, famous landmarks, and best places to stay. Gondolas in Venice | Northern Italy Itinerary. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. From the cupola of this basilica, you get another spectacular view of Venice. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Yes, its a tourist experience, but its also still incredibly unique and wholesome to run away to the city and get lost in its alleys for a few days. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna. Thats why we selected the recourses we use all the time while booking our trips. If you still have a rental car, drive to Bellagio (1.5 hours) or Varenna (1.5 hours). ), or visit on a guided tour. 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. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. And despite Romeo and Juliet is a fictional love story, it is possible to visit Juliets house. Milan and the Lakes of Northern Italy Itinerary. Read my guides to Italy in Summer, Italy in Fall, and Italy in Winter to dive deeper into which season may be a better fit for you. RENTAL CAR: You can drop your rental car in Verona (and travel by train for the rest of this itinerary, which is the cheapest, most environmentally friendly option) or keep it until the end of your trip. 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. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. In the evening, check into your hotel and have dinner. Youll see a lot more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. You dont need a car when in the city of Rome. Are you planning to travel to Italy? You might even drive tothe Queen of the Dolomites Marmolada. What cities to include in your Northern Italy Travel Itinerary? Places you dont want to miss while visiting Florence are: When you want to visit the Duomo, you must reserve a ticket in advance. The Best Guide to Val Brembana: How to Visit this Underrated Corner , The Best Weekend in Edinburgh Itinerary You Need to Steal, Mid-range price compared to bus and rental car travel, Well-connected between cities and towns (regional trains), Can be super cheap & is overall less expensive, Takes time to understand routes of regional or city buses. 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. A Northern Italy road trip is an incredible way to experience a wide range of beautiful and world-famous cities in a very short space of time. Cultural Exploration Family Tour of Northern Italy. Vicenza. 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. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. 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. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. 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. Tonight, stay in Cortina dAmpezzo. You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia.