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. Drive over the Sella Pass and check into your hotel in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. I recommend referring to this as you pick out what you want to do in the Dolomites. 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. 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. With the Northern Italy Highlights - 10 days itinerary you'll cross the most important highlights, cities and landmarks in the northern part of Italy. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? But also many historic buildings are to find in this city. For the best experience, we recommend arriving in Bellagio or Varenna by 10:30 am, to give yourself enough time to visit the area. The center is closed for cars, so you need to walk here, which is easy. Your email address will not be published. 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. Lets start with the 10-day highlights! When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Since 1982 the historic center of Florence is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. You can also book a guided tour through the city, where youll explore the best highlights of Florence. VENICE: Learn more about Venice in our article Best Things to Do in Venice. 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! Also take advantage of the linked posts within this article to discover individual destinations in depth and ultimately allow you to plan your trip better. There is not a whole lot to see in Menaggio, so this can be skipped. This itinerary works best from the months of June through September, when the hiking trails are open in the Dolomites. If you need to start and end in the same location (for example, if it is easier to find flights in and out of one airport), that can be done as well. Tonight, sleep in Selva di Val Gardena or Ortisei. 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. Your email address will not be published. For full details on how to do this, refer to our Lake Como Day Trip guide and Things to Do in Bellagio. Walking into this village is like youre stepping back in time. Here are a few more itineraries for Italy: To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. Tickets to tour the Duomo and the rooftop can be purchased at the Duomo or online in advance. Milan Lake Como Cinque Terre Venice Dolomites Highlights To get from the airport to your hotel in Venice, you can take the bus, a taxi, a vaporetto, or a water taxi. Two villages you dont want to miss areGardaandSirmione. Theres so much to visit in the whole country, and the northern part is no exception to that. Known for its iconic leaning tower. 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). Find out more about Lon on his about page! Milan to Florence is a great road trip, where you see the best parts the Tuscany and Cinque Terre region. 9 Day Custom Tour. We recommend using rentalcover. We also find that their customer service is excellent. Tickets are often fully booked, and you need to choose a particular time slot to visit the Duomo. The other option is staying inPeschiera del Garda, a vibrant town next to the lake, also perfect for a romantic stay, but less expensive. 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. We recommend starting in Milan and plan your departure from Rome. 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. Italy All Italy Hotels It is a gorgeous basilica, both inside and out. Here are some suggestions: Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto! Pick up the car ideally between 8 and 9 am (but even earlier is better), to give yourself as much time as possible in the Dolomites. Gondola ride for two? Rome is a special city to visit. However, for those arriving on a red eye flight, you will have just the afternoon for sightseeing. 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. 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. Northern Italy Itinerary - 8. However, if youre flying from within Europe, you may want to consider flying into Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, which is a hub for Ryanair flights. Teatro Farneseis a theater you should visit while in Parma, it is a 16th-century theater, built entirely from wood. If you cant reserve a time slot on the official website, here is a one hour tour that includes your admission to see the Last Supper.. Discover more day trips from Milan to beef up your itinerary. We wrote several articles about Genoa which we recommend reading before going to the city. Theres a constant wind blowing from the mountains which makes both lakes favorable for a fun sports day on the water. 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. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. The bus from or to the airport can take up to 1 hour though. Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. We will skip the Dolomites during this road trip because the drive is taking to much time. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. You can easily make it everywhere in Florence by walking, but public transportation is available if you need it. Drop your luggage off at your hotel and spend the afternoon sightseeing in Venice. Nowadays it has the third biggest harbor in the Mediterranean Sea. Ponte dellAccademia view | Northern Italy Itinerary. For the remainder of the day, we have a few more options of great things to do in this area of Venice. Its a little more of a hassle on this day but it does save money. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Now, it is a museum. DAY: VENICE BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MALCESINE (Lake Garda) Bassano Del Grappa Lago Di Garda (Lake Garda) - Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 9. You will have to book a time slot in advance, and when to do this depends on your arrival time in Venice today. Dynamic pricing from $3,575. This has the advantage of not packing and unpacking again, and if you have a flight home from Milan tomorrow, you will already be in town. For more information on how to do this, click here. Here are the most romantic places in northern Italy: Portovenere is an underrated, hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. A Cost Guide. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page. We tried to be as thorough as possible and make different routes for different interests. ), or visit on a guided tour. In Pisa, youll stay overnight. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. 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. Youll need to choose between some highlights when you have less amount of time to spend in Italy. Tuscany is often referred to as the most beautiful countryside in Italy. DAY: MALCESINE & LIMONE DEL SUL (Lake Garda) Sightseeing In Limone Sul Garda Sightseeing In Malcesine Northern Italy Itinerary - 10. 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. We were pleasantly surprised during our visit to Parma, and recommend anyone to stay here and explore this lovely city. 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. Optional: On the drive to Verona, you will be very close to the Santuario Madonna della Corona. You can either wander the canals on your own or take a walking tour. Italy in Spring guide coming soon!). We prefer Lake Como over Lake Garda, which is why we designed this northern Italy itinerary with Lake Como. 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. Instead, this itinerary will help you pick a route to travel across some of the best places in Northern Italy. We recommend taking the scenic route, though. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. 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. Lagazuoi, Dolomites | Northern Italy Itinerary, The view of Cortina dAmpezzo from the Tofana cable car | Northern Italy Itinerary. When you have more time for a road trip, we recommend using it. Volterrais another small village on top of a hill. 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). 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. Some hotels will have designated parking, either with or without an additional fee. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldnt be intimidated. You can either join the ticket line (expect a long wait), book your ticket in advance (highly recommended!! 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. I switched the days since day 1 of the itinerary is a big sightseeing day and not everyone will have the time and energy for it. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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 We have three recommendations, where we think you still see a lot of this beautiful part of Italy. The city itself is not that big. Hotel Garn La SoldanellaandHotel Villa Fosineare both located around 5 kilometers from the parks entrance. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. This large parking garage is located in Venice in Santa Croce. Next, take the metro to the Duomo. Lines can be long to enter it, but it is worth it, both to see the golden interior and to stand on the terrace for a view across St. Marks Square. During this road trip, we planned a half-day in Cinque Terre, but if you want to spend more time along these coastal towns, you can skip Genoa or Parma in this itinerary. Most of the time, we use Booking.com to book our accommodations. 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. In Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Tyrol has an excellent location and gets wonderful reviews. St. Marks Square dates back to the 9th century AD. It is the capital of the Tuscany region. You can use this link to check the latest prices on rental cars in 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. In the morning, travel to Milan. Public transport in Florence is perfect, so the next day you dont have any problems reaching the city center. At the end of the day, we recommend to leave Venice, hop in your car and drive to Florence, which is still a 3-hour drive. 7 days in Italy - Option 1: the Northern Italy itinerary bucket list destinations First stop: 2 nights in Venice. The city is known for its hospitality. For more details about this day, refer to day 1 of our 2 Day Venice Itinerary. 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. Verona is a great city to spend your day. A visit here adds on another hour of driving, plus time to visit the church, which takes about an hour. It is also worth it to hire a boat to cruise by the villas, or even tour one of them. Best Time To Visit Italy For a 10 Day Trip. Milan - 2-3 nights. 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! 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. 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. And if you need a pet friendly apartment, take a look at Cristallo & Faloria Suite Apartments. We selected two options, both with excellent customer reviews, which we think are great to spend one night. So the first day we dont plan that much. Parma is a city that will surprise you. The total length of this road trip is 388 miles (625 kilometers). 7 10 day northern Italy Itinerary: Discover Veneto. 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. Some of these links are affiliate links. Lombardy & Veneto in 10 Days Continue with Recommended Cookies. We have more info on how to do this in our article Things to Do in Bellagio. And the first theater with a podium instead of the round square youll see in the amphitheaters. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The train system is easy to use and efficient and you can get tickets in advance and with no extra agency charges on the official train site trenitalia.it What to pack for northern Italy Northern Italy has varied weather depending on the season and location.