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. Total Tour Investment - Starting at $9999/guest Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $1000/guest (balance due 100 days prior to departure) Portugal is not only a beautiful country but is also shockingly reasonable to live in. A visit here is quick, taking 10 to 15 minutes for the view and lots of photographs. Dynamic pricing from $3,217. Part of the eastern Alps in northern Italy and marking the border between Italy and Austria, these natural beauties are another UNESCO heritage site. We wrote this article you might like, with in-depth information about the city of Milan. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. The below charge are average temperatures in the Milan region. Mosaics on St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary, On the terrace of St. Marks Basilica | Northern Italy Itinerary. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Dont forget to book your sightseeing tickets for Florence in advance. After reading the itinerary above, you might wonder how to shorten the itinerary to five days. But it's the fastest way to get there with buses routing every 11 minutes. From Marmolada, drive over Passo Fedaia and Passo Pordoi, two beautiful scenic drives in the Dolomites. Or that you need to wait a long time in line. Tour starts on a Sunday. Are you planning to travel to Italy? Also, we cover several itineraries for 5 and 14 days. But this is more expensive, since you are paying for 2 days of a rental car plus parking fees. Parmawill be the last city on this itinerary before you head back to Milan. If you have any questions about this northern Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. I'm Michela, a travel photographer living in northern Italy with a passion for empowering wanderlusting women like you to travel fearlessly and start living their travel dream. Parma is a city that will surprise you. 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. Leave a comment! There is truly so much to do and see that one trip may not be enough, which is why I have curated 5 northern Italy itineraries that play to certain strengths: one for those who want to see the most famous locations, one for outdoor adventurers, one for city-lovers, one for couples, and one for foodies, so you experience a little bit of everything. 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. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. 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. If you take the train to Varenna, you will have less travel time, which you can then use for a private boat tour of the villas. The road will take you through the dolomites, which is lovely. Of course, youll visit the famous landmarks asColleseum,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Vatican City. I do not recommend making big plans today (no St. Marks Basilica or Doges Palace visits) because you might be exhausted. During these months youll have the best weather conditions, less rain and most chance of sunshine. Required fields are marked *. But in five days you still can see a lot. The route will be slightly different. 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. Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service. Known for its iconic leaning tower. In the Dolomites, it is free to go hiking, but there can be parking fees and fees to ride the cable cars. Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. With more time, or some modifications, you can also add in Lake Garda or more time in the Dolomites. Drive over the Sella Pass and check into your hotel in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. Check out our article What is Cinque Terre Famous For? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. ): 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. Here are some estimated costs per person (all prices are in USD during peak travel times). We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. 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. But for the cities of Venice and Florence, it is busy year-round. Youll need to follow the A9 north from Milan. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. I put Lake Garda before Verona since you save a little driving time by visiting the north end of Lake Garda first. This is the priciest lunch option on our list. ITALY YOUTUBE CLIPS. We started our adventure in Bologna. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and it sits between the Dolomites and Milan. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. 9 Day Custom Tour. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. 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! 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. 10-Day Northern Italy Itinerary: 2 Great Routes Without further ago, the two routes below outline different directions you could take in Northern Italy. If you dont want to wait in line, you can join a skip-the-line tour. So we recommend to stay in Milan until lunch, and after lunch drive to Lake Como. Get updated hours before you go and you can learn more about how to visit this basilica in our Things to Do in Venice article. From Pisa, it is only a short drive to one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. 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. You can travel on your own schedule and get to places where it is difficult to get to by bus. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We recommend Ai Do Leoni, which is next to St. Marks Basilica and serves sandwiches and small plates of pasta. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. View from the campanile | Northern Italy Itinerary. 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. DAY 1: Venice. Depending on where you are staying in Venice, you can get here on foot or ride the vaporetto. 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. 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 feel it is essential that you plan your trip with the best booking recourses. Italy. 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. Day 5 - 6: Explore The Port City of Genoa. Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around, as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. 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. It just depends on what you feel is more convenient. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the canals of Venice. 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. Not much driving after that . Map for your Northern Italy road trip 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. If you have less than 10 days, then remove a day or two from the Dolomites. 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 way you can reach the historic city of Venice early morning and spend a few moments when it is not too busy. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. 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 other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto. We always feel at home while traveling through Tuscany. A Cost Guide. Bologna is a big university city. The city itself is not that big. From Cortina dAmpezzo, drive over Giau Pass or Falzarego Pass to Marmolada. 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. verona itinerary 1 day Verona location on Italy map | verona itinerary 1 day 10:00 am (#verona itinerary 1 day . Here's my suggestions for a one week Itinerary in Northern Italy: One night in Turin. The drive back from Lake Garda to Milan is around 2 hours, so make sure you plan that properly according to your departure. On our first trip to the Dolomites, we had three days and once there, we wished we had a lot more time. Depending on your interests and fitness level, you can choose different activities. Among the Northern cities are Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice and Como, all within a 400 km straight line. Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, wherein the next half of the itinerary lies. Artist likeMichaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Machiavellilived and worked in the city of Florence.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-madefortravellers_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Florence is probably the city with the most historic architecture in Italy. 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. The most efficient way to see Northern Italy is by starting in Venice and ending in Milan (or vice versa). Not everything has to be perfectly planned out with a route for each day and reservations at a specific restaurant. Made For Travellers is about a lifestyle of freedom, fulfillment, and happiness. 8.1 Bologna - 7 days. Today you will drive across the Dolomites to Val Gardena. Cinque Terre is known for its beautiful coastline, colorful houses that are built into the cliffs, stunning nature and excellent hiking trails. 7.2 Verona - 2 days. Genoais known as the birthplace of Columbus, the renowned sea navigator. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. So if youre lucky enough to spend more time on the road and enjoy your holiday, this itinerary is for you. Manage Settings Hit the 5 major areas on everyones northern Italy bucket list. Many people say the lake is less spectacular then Lake Como, but we think it is a must-visit while traveling through this area. Honestly, we think five days is too short to explore the best parts of Northern Italy. Bologna is the origin of many Italian food favorites: Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella, Rag Bolognese, Balsamic Vinegar and Lasagne. Select your preferences and let us take care of the rest. Because theres no traffic, the vibe is even more unique. Next to cities and lakes, northern Italy shows its best with its mountains, the Dolomites. This northern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. Day 8 Lake Garda - Family Fun. You can also choose to do this road trip in the other way around. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. 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. Then explore Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, the oldest national park in Italy, before heading north to the tiny town, but skiing haven of Breuil-Cervinia to see Monte Cervino otherwise known as the Matterhorn! With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. Youll see the greatest highlights and have enough time for sightseeing, hiking and learn about the Italian culture. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. The Doges Palace served as the residence for the Doge, the seat of the government, and a palace of justice. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. Fourteen Day Northern Italy Train Itinerary Day 1 Begin your Northern Italy Train Itinerary in Florence. Youll probably stop a few times just to enjoy the views. Day 4 Stresa and Orta San Giulio. This Northern Italy road trip itinerary works either way! Temperatures on average in the Northern part of Italy are favorable. Things To Do In Milan. If youre hoping to visit many places that arent major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car. Public transport in Florence is perfect, so the next day you dont have any problems reaching the city center. You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route. Two nights in the Dolomites. Today youll travel to Lake Garda. We dont want to bring too many things, because simply you dont need that much while traveling.Over the years we tested a lot of stuff, check out our full list of recommendations for packing gear and camera stuff on the recommendations pageHere are some things we recommend you to use during your Italian road trip: Lon Kopijn works and lives as a Digital Nomad. Last stop for lovers: Venice! 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. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. This is our second trip. As you stroll through Venice, go shopping, have a glass of wine or aperitif at a caf, snack on cicchetti, or hire a gondola. They cover over 150 activities, even some extreme sports and have 24/7 emergency assistance when necessary. 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. The historic center is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. We will get into the details of this in a little bit. 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. If you have a flight leaving from Marco Polo Airport (Venice), from Milan it takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to travel by train and just over 3 hours by car. If you like hiking, hike the Puez-Odle Altopiano. We parked here on one of our visits to Venice. After heading to the sea, return to the mountains around the area of Bergamo. This 14 day Italy itinerary crams in a lot, and can easily be slowed down if you have more time. That does not include tours, only entrance fees. Both options can be done with public transportation and by car. Which itinerary is on your bucket list? View from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute | Northern Italy Itinerary. The vaporetto is a water bus that runs along the Grand Canal (and also out to the lagoon, Murano, Burano, and Lido). 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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). It is essential to plan ahead while planning a road trip in Italy. Customize your leisure days by adding excursions to your Northern Italy Itinerary. The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc. 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. However, during this trip, you dont have that much time to explore the most significant hiking trails. From Selva di Val Gardena, it is a 200 km, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Verona. Vicenza. Day 3 - Lake Como. You can also stay at the neighboring island Venice Lido, from where you can easily take a taxi-boat to the historical center. At the Grand Canal, there are many taxi boats where you can hop on and off with your ticket. Also, we recommend leaving from another city. Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1-3 Veneto. 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! We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy.