1-week northern Italy itinerary
Last updated on February 7th, 2026.
Northern Italy is a region that oozes with travel potential.
How do I know this?
Not only have I traveled to many different parts of the north, but I also happen to live in Veneto.
However, despite my many years of living and traveling within the region, I’ve yet to publish any northern Italy itineraries.
That changes right now.
In this Italy travel guide I’ll be sharing my local’s 1-week northern Italy itinerary starting from either Milan or Venice.
Starting in Milan gives you an optimum base for visiting Lake Como and even branching out to the Dolomites.
Beginning in Venice is ideal for seeing places like Verona and Lake Garda, both of which are reachable by train.
With this guide you’ll get two realistic northern Italy itinerary 7 days routes. I’ll also be adding a 5-day northern Italy itinerary for anyone looking for a shorter time frame.
These day-by-day itineraries work for all traveler types, are flexible and include helpful tips for a stress-free visit.
Itineraries that balance famous icons with lesser-known spots, use this 1-week Northern Italy itinerary to help plan your Italy trip.
How to use this guide
Pick a base between Milan or Venice. I provide both a 7-day northern Italy itinerary version and a 5-day version for each base.
Next, choose your travel preference. Will it be the Italian lakes, the Dolomites, cities or a pairing of the two?
Third, follow the itinerary and suggestions. Make note of any train travel tips and driving advice for a smoother vacation.
Lastly, mix and match. Each itinerary includes alternatives so that your 1-week northern Italy itinerary stays flexible even if the weather changes.
Feel free to customize these itineraries as you wish. Add in a rest morning or afternoon and change your base from Milan to Verona if better suited.
Quick glance Italy itineraries
7 days from Milan (train-friendly, lakes and Verona)
Day 1 – Milan (Duomo, Galleria)
Day 2 – Lake Como (Varenna to Bellagio)
Day 3 – Bergamo or Brescia
Day 4 – Verona
Day 5 – Lake Garda (Sirmione)
Day 6 – Venice (day trip) or Padua/Vicenza
Day 7 – Milan (departure)
7 days from Venice (lagoon and Verona/Garda and Dolomites option)
Day 1 – Venice
Day 2 – islands in the Venice Lagoon like Burano and Murano or Prosecco Hills
Day 3 – Verona (and Lake Garda)
Day 4 – Dolomites (Cortina d’Ampezzo) or Bologna
Day 5 – Padua and/or Vicenza
Day 6 – Milan (classic itinerary)
Day 7 – Venice (departure)
5 days (time-tight northern Italy itinerary)
5 days from Milan: Milan, Lake Como, Verona, Venice, Milan (fly out)
5 days from Venice: Venice, Verona/Lake Garda, Dolomites, Padua/Vicenza, Venice (fly out)
If using this 1-week northern Italy itinerary for a summer vacation, extend your stay in the mountains to avoid the heat. If heavy rain hits the Dolomites, swap to a city visit that has more indoor activities like museums and galleries.
When to visit northern Italy
The general consensus is that late spring and most of fall are the best months to visit Italy.
Granted, this depends on the type of Italy vacation that you want to have. For long, lazy days at the beach filled with bathing, swimming and boat trips summer really is best.
To partake in winter sports or simply to experience winter in Italy then visiting from December to February is better.
Want to know more on this subject?
I cover it in greater detail with a month-by-month breakdown in ‘When is the best time to visit Italy’.
How to get around northern Italy
By train
Most of the places in this 1-week northern Italy itinerary, aside from the Dolomites, are reachable by train. Trains depart regularly from Milano Centrale and Venezia Santa Lucia stations.
Likewise, services run regularly from Venice to Verona, and from Venice to Bologna. Buy train tickets in advance and remember to validate regional paper tickets at the platform machines.
It's not necessary to validate tickets purchased online. However, be sure to have the app or the email with proof of the tickets ready to show to the inspector.
Read my guide on ‘How to take trains in Italy’ for a more detailed outline.
By car
Hiring a car is more convenient for visiting the Dolomites as well as for seeing remote towns in the countryside.
As outlined in ‘Renting a car in Italy’ beware of the ZTL (limited traffic zones) found across many cities. They catch out many unsuspecting tourists who receive fines from the rental company months after their trip has ended.
One way of getting around this is to study ZTL maps in advance. Other driving tips are:
- To photograph your rental car for pre-existing scratches
- To have coins ready for unmanned parking
- To have a photo of your license plate ready to insert into the meter
For most of this 1-week northern Italy itinerary it’s possible to take trains for the first days. It’ll mean that there’s money to spare should you decide to rent a car to visit the mountains.
Jump to:
Itinerary A: 1-week northern Italy itinerary – Milan
This northern Italy itinerary 7 days brings together cities and lakes. It’s built around short train journeys and simple planning.
Day 1: Milan
Start the morning at the Duomo di Milano. Book cathedral and terrace tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines.
After your visit, stroll through the majestic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center. Browse, or buy, from one of the high-end shops and stop for a cappuccino and pastry at Marchesi 1824.
Next, choose between going to see The Last Supper or to see the St. Bernard Sanctuary of Bones. The former requires booking tickets well in advance while the latter (Santuario di San Bernadino alle Ossa) is 100% free.
See ‘How to get The Last Supper tickets in Milan’ for more options on how to visit.
For lunch, try a restaurant in the center that serves traditional Milanese dishes like Ristorante Galleria or Risoelatte Duomo.
Spend the afternoon exploring classic art at Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery or contemporary displays at the Fondazione Prada.
Get: Pinacoteca di Brera entrance tickets
Round up day 1 of this 1-week northern Italy itinerary with aperitivo and a canal view in the Navigli neighborhood.
Watch: 7 days in northern Italy
Day 2 – Lake Como (Varenna and Bellagio)
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino.
The service run by Trenord takes around 1hr 4mins. From Varenna station, it’s a quick 6-minute walk to the lakefront.
Stroll Varenna’s picturesque lakeside promenade (Passeggiata degli innamorati) making sure to take as many photos as possible.
Admire the elevated views from Castello di Vezio before visiting the scenic Villa Monastero botanical gardens.
From Varenna take the ferry to Bellagio (around 37 minutes). Walk up, or down, the most photographed street in Bellagio, Salita Serbelloni, before stopping for lunch. Dine at a high-end restaurant like Gioya Restaurant Bellagio or something cheap and cheerful like Mr. Panino (my favorite!).
In the afternoon, stroll along the promenade to visit the gardens at Villa Melzi. The villa isn’t open to the public but the gardens and spectacular lake view are.
If you prefer a less touristy town, choose Menaggio over Bellagio. It’s an easy adjustment to your 1-week northern Italy itinerary.
Day 3 – Bergamo or Brescia
Take the train to either Bergamo or to Brescia, both of which make perfect day trips from Milan.
Bergamo is around a 50-minute journey while Brescia is closer at approximately 36 minutes.
If choosing Bergamo, take the funicular to Città Alta (Upper Town), to see the Venetian walls and Colleoni Chapel. Add one of Bergamo’s beautiful museums to your itinerary such as Rocca di Bergamo or Palazzo e Giardini Moroni.
In Brescia, head towards Brescia Castle (Castello di Brescia) for some of the best views in the city. Don’t miss seeing its impressive cathedral and the magnificent Santa Giulia Museum (Museo di Santa Giulia).
Both Bergamo and Brescia are easy day trips for your 1-week northern Italy itinerary without the overwhelming crowds of Milan.
There’s no need to get up early or rush to take the train. Its close distances means that you can visit at a leisurely pace.
Day 4 – Verona
Take the train from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova. It takes around 1hr 13mins and services run frequently between the two cities.
Get skip-the-line tickets to tour Verona Arena, walk around Piazza Brà and make your way to Piazza delle Erbe.
No trip to Verona is complete without visiting Juliet’s house (Casa di Giulietta). Choose between the free option of seeing just the balcony or getting fast-track tickets to tour the house.
Sit down for lunch at one of Verona’s many excellent restaurants or trattorias. Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori have several places with outdoor seating that overlook the square.
Afterwards, work off any calories with a walk over Ponte Pietra to get the funicular to Castel San Pietro. The hilltop fortress has terraces offering some of the best panoramic views of the city.
Decide between staying overnight in Verona or returning to Milan (if you prefer one base). A big plus on staying in Verona is that it sets you up for visiting Lake Garda and/or the Dolomites.
See ‘18 best day trips from Verona’ for more information on which places to visit.
Day 5 – Lake Garda (or the Dolomites)
Option 1: can you visit the Dolomites from Milan?
At this point of the itinerary, you could choose to spend 1 day in Lake Garda or 2 nights in the Dolomites.
For me, traveling to the Dolomites from Milan for 1 night isn’t worth it.
To give you an idea, the drive time from Milan to Bolzano (city in the Dolomites) is approximately 3hrs 25mins.
This doesn’t factor in any traffic or highway stops. On top of this, you might also want to see other places in the Dolomites such as Lago di Braies. This will naturally add on extra travel time.
Ultimately, staying for 1 or 2 nights in the Dolomites will be more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone round.
Should you prefer to stick to a 1-day option, opt for Lake Garda.
Option 2: Lake Garda
Take a train from Milan to Desenzano del Garda (journey time of around 1hr 23mins).
Tour the town’s 10th century castle (Castello di Desenzano), see Ancient Roman mosaics and visit its scenic beaches.
After your visit, jump on the bus for about 18 minutes to travel to the popular town of Sirmione. See Scaliger Castle (buy tickets), tour the Grotte di Catullo ruins and experience sundown on a sunset boat cruise.
Either town makes an easy Lake Garda day trip from Milan and is perfect for a 1-week northern Italy itinerary.
Day 6 – Venice or Padua/Vicenza
Option 1: Venice
If you choose the Milan to Venice day trip option, be prepared for an early start. Seeing the best of Venice in one day is doable but it requires arriving early and sticking to a tight itinerary.
Take the earliest train you can from Milan to Venice Santa Lucia station. Journey times vary from 2hrs 30mins to 2hrs 45mins depending on the service you choose.
Hop on the vaporetto (water bus) to Piazza San Marco. Buy tickets in advance to avoid queuing and get seats at the front or the back for the best views.
Stroll through St. Mark’s Square, tour St. Mark’s Basilica and get reserved entry tickets for Doge’s Palace.
For lunch, do a mini bacaro hop to try different types of cicchetti (Venetian-style small plates). Try Bar all’Arco and Paradiso Perduto for some mouthwatering choices.
In the afternoon, get to know Venice on foot. See different areas like the Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico) in the Cannaregio district or the more local neighborhood of Castello.
Allow sufficient time to get the train back to Milan in the evening.
Option 2: Padua/Vicenza
Padua (Padova) is best known for being home to Prato della Valle (the largest square in Italy). It’s also where you’ll find Italy’s second oldest university.
Travel time is around 2hours by train from Milan to Padua. It's a beautiful city and one with far fewer crowds than Venice.
With a slightly shorter journey time of 1hr 40mins is my home city of Vicenza.
Alongside the Palladian villas there are plenty of things to do in Vicenza that will fill up a day.
Visit the world’s first closed theater, admire the striking Basilica Palladiana and try a dish of traditional baccalà Vicentina.
Any of these options will work for your 1-week northern Italy itinerary before flying out the next day.
Day 7 – Milan
Wrap up your time in Milan by seeing places you missed on your first day. Stroll through Sempione Park, visit the Arch of Peace and see the unique Vertical Forest (Bosco Verticale).
Itinerary B: 1-week northern Italy itinerary – Venice
This northern Italy itinerary 7 days version combines the Venetian Laguna with art, museums and an Italian food mecca. It also adds the option to visit the land of Prosecco or to see the dreamy Dolomites.
Day 1 – classic Venice
Follow the Venice itinerary as outlined above.
If you prefer to add, or swap, activities consider booking a classic gondola ride.
There are different options to choose from including a shared gondola ride along the Grand Canal or a private ride off the beaten path.
Other alternative activities include visiting one of the many art galleries in Venice. Some of the most notable names include the Academy Galleries (Gallerie dell’Accademia) and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
In the early evening, be sure to catch the spectacular Venice sunset. Colorful and bold, it’s one of my favorite places to watch the sun set in northern Italy.
Day 2 – Venice islands or Prosecco Hills
Option 1: Venice islands
Explore some of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon with a trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Take home a beautiful Murano glass souvenir and watch a traditional glassblowing workshop in action.
Surround yourself with colorful houses and quiet canals on Burano and walk atop Devil’s Bridge in Torcello.
Plan your own trip to the three islands or have someone else do the hard work by joining a tour.
An ideal addition to your 1-week northern Italy itinerary, it’s your chance to see beyond Piazza San Marco.
Option 2: Prosecco Hills
Enjoy a fun-filled visit to the territory best known for producing Prosecco.
Prosecco Hills (Colline del Prosecco di Valdobbiadene e Conegliano) is an area brimming with rolling hills and rows of vineyards.
The drive time from Venice can vary from 1 hour to 1.5hrs depending on the route you take.
While public transport is available, the journey’s much longer and less convenient. To give you an idea, one of the options is to take two trains and a bus; a journey that can take around 2.5hrs.
However, should you prefer not to drive, the easiest option is to join a tour. There are plenty of top-rated prosecco tours to choose from, some of which include lunch.
Sounds good? Here are some that might pique your interest:
- Wine and food tour in the Prosecco Hills (5 hours)
Day 3 – Verona (and Lake Garda)
The travel time by train from Venice to Verona is more or less the same as from Milan.
Choose to spend the morning, or the whole day, exploring Verona following the itinerary as above.
Should you choose a half day, make the short trip from Verona to see Lake Garda. As already mentioned, several lake towns are reachable by train and within 30 minutes from the city.
Day 4 – the Dolomites or Bologna
Option 1: the Dolomites
Like the first itinerary, I’d prefer to spend the night (maybe two) in the Dolomites over taking a day trip.
Unless you plan to see just one city (i.e. Bolzano or Trento) then it might work. But, if you want to add in a lake or even plan to do a short hike, it’s better to stay overnight.
Unlike Milan, Venice has an express bus that travels directly from Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Called Cortina Express, it’s an affordable and convenient way to visit the Eastern Dolomites.
Return tickets cost €30 ($35/£26) and the coach journey takes approximately 3 hours. By car, the drive takes around 2.5 hours.
Tour the pretty town center of Cortina and have coffee and pastries at a local pasticceria (patisserie).
For lunch, make the 24-minute drive to the picturesque Lake Misurina (Lago Misurina). Pack a picnic and eat by the lake or dine at one of the roadside eateries.
See ‘Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide’ for more travel ideas.
Option 2: Bologna
Should you decide to save the Dolomites for its own itinerary, consider visiting Bologna instead.
The Frecciarossa (high-speed) train takes around 1.5hrs from Venice while it’s almost 2 hours by car.
The food mecca of Italy, your tastebuds will thank you for visiting the city, and region, known for its cuisine.
Stroll lazily through Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s principal square, and admire the panoramic views from the top of Asinelli Tower.
Sit down to traditional dishes of tortellini in brodo and tagliatelle al ragù before walking off the calories beneath Bologna’s porticoes.
Day 5 – Padua/Vicenza
Choose between seeing Padua or Vicenza (or see both) for a low-key and quieter day trip.
Follow the itinerary as listed above. Consider adding in something extra like a guided visit to Scrovegni Chapel (Padua) or a visit to Villa Rotonda in Vicenza.
Day 6 – Milan
Take an early train from Venice to Milan.
Follow the Milan in 1 day guide as stated in the first itinerary. For something different, consider adding some of the most non-touristy things in Milan to your list.
Get reserved-entry tickets for Sforzesco Castle (Castello Sforzesco) to admire the art displays or explore the grounds for free.
In the afternoon, step inside the magnificent Teatro alla Scala. Choose between getting entry tickets to see the theater museum or taking a guided theater and museum tour.
End your day in Milan with dinner, drinks and a sunset at one of its rooftop bars. The Roof Milano, Mio Lab and SunEleven Rooftop Bar are just a handful located in Milan’s center.
Day 7 – Venice departure
Begin your final day of your 1-week northern Italy itinerary with a classic Italian breakfast at a pasticceria. There are tons to choose from but the following serve coffee and brioche (croissants) as well as pastries.
- Pasticceria Rizzardini
- Bar Pasticceria Ballarin
- Pasticceria Bar Martini Di Palombella Lorenzo
- Pasticceria Targa
Fly out from Venice Marco Polo (VCE) airport.
Northern Italy itinerary 5 days
5 days from Milan
Day 1: classic Milan
Day 2: Lake Como (Varenna and Bellagio/Como and Bellagio)
Day 3: Verona and one Lake Garda town
Day 4: Venice
Day 5: Milan departure
5 days from Venice
Day 1: classic Venice
Day 2: Venetian islands
Day 3: Verona (and Lake Garda (Sirmione/Bardolino))
Day 4: Dolomites (Cortina d’Ampezzo) or Padua/Vicenza
Day 5: Venice departure
Both versions of this 5-day northern Italy itinerary make it easy to (mainly) travel by train.
Where to stay during your 1-week northern Italy itinerary
Milan
You’re spoiled for choice when looking for where to stay in Milan. Some of the best neighborhoods include:
- Duomo: the historic and most central part of Milan (see ‘Milan hotels with Duomo views’)
- Porta Nuova: modern with independent bars and cafes
- Navigli: trendy, with a slight hipster feel
Search for more hotels in Milan
Venice
Like Milan, Venice is packed with different districts that appeal to different travelers and budgets.
- San Marco is the most touristy, given its proximity to St. Mark’s Square and central Venice.
- San Polo, home to the Rialto Bridge, blends touristy spots with some local places.
- Dorsoduro is one of the largest neighborhoods filled with galleries and churches, while Cannaregio has plenty of cicchetti spots.
My guide on ‘Where to stay in Venice’ breaks down each neighborhood and lists accommodation for every budget type.
Verona
Verona’s historic center is much smaller compared to Milan and Venice.
Choose accommodation within the historic center for easy access to landmarks like the Verona Arena and Piazza delle Erbe.
Below are some centrally located hotels in Verona that you might be interested in booking.
- Luxury: Due Torri Hotel (5-star hotel, spa, pet friendly)
- Mid-range: Opera Relais De Charme – Aparthotel (modern, family friendly, 3-minute walk to Arena di Verona)
- Budget: Hotel Marco Polo Verona (full-service spa, 8-minute walk to Piazza Bra)
The Dolomites
For 7 days in northern Italy, choose one area as a base in the Dolomites.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is easily reachable by car and coach as is Bolzano and Trento by train. Places like Ortisei, Dobbiaco and Corvara are worth seeing but work better as part of a separate road trip itinerary.
‘Where to stay in the Dolomites’ provides a detailed guide to the best areas and towns in the region.
Lake Como
Short train journeys from Milan make Lake Como day trips easy to organize.
But should you prefer to spend the night, choose towns that have good transport links and ferry connections.
Varenna, Bellagio, Como and Menaggio all meet these criteria.
Refer to ‘Where to stay in Lake Como’ for helpful tips and advice on each town.
Map: 1-week northern Italy itinerary from Milan or Venice
Alternative Italy 1-week itineraries
There are plenty more places that you can mix and match for your 1-week northern Italy itinerary.
While I’d like to list them all, it’d likely take another couple more pages and a few more thousand words.
Instead, I’ve put together two options that will help you to explore other places in the north.
Turin (Torino) and the Langhe
- Days 1 to 2 (Turin): visit the Egyptian Museum, see the views from the Mole Antonelliana, sip on a Bicerin at Caffé Al Bicerin and explore the Savoy residences.
- Days 3 to 5 (Langhe): spend a night in the wine town of Barolo, book a tasting in La Morra and go truffle-hunting near Alba (peak time Oct to Nov).
- Day 6: visit the striking hamlet of Stupinigi or the Sacra di San Michele monastery on a Turin day trip.
- Day 7: Departure from Turin.
Milan and the lakes triangle
- Day 1 (Milan): follow the itinerary as above.
- Days 2 to 3 (Lake Como): see the Varenna, Bellagio and Tremezzo triangle by ferry.
- Day 4 (Lake Orta): tour the beautiful island and borgo of Orta San Giulio.
- Days 5 to 6 (Lake Maggiore): see all three smaller islands located in the serene Lake Maggiore. Get tickets to tour the incredible gardens and palace on Isola Bella.
- Day 7: Departure from Milan.
Helpful Italy travel tips
- Most cities in Italy add a city tax (ranging from €1 to €3) to your hotel stay per person per night.
- In Venice a new day tax was introduced for anyone visiting during the day. It’s applicable for some months during the year and prices change annually. See ‘10 things to know before visiting Venice’ for more details.
- A single vaporetto (water bus) ticket in Venice lasts for 75 minutes. Buy in advance to avoid having to queue at the ticket machine.
- Weather in the Dolomites is typically cooler compared to other parts of northern Italy. Because of this, it’s essential to know what to wear should you plan to visit this region.
- Many museums and archaeological parks are free to visit on the first Sunday of every month. It’s part of the initiative #domenicaalmuseo (Sunday at the museum). Booking ahead of time is essential and there are likely limited tickets for the more popular attractions. Check the full list to see what’s available.
Must try food and wine on your 1-week northern Italy itinerary
- Lombardy (Milan, Brescia, Bergamo, Lake Como, parts of Lake Garda): Risotto alla milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta alla Milanese, Franciacorta.
- Veneto (Venice, Padua, Vicenza): sarde in saor, bigoli in salsa, cicchetti, baccalà Vicentina, Prosecco DOCG.
- Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (Bolzano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, The Dolomites): canederli in brodo, spätzle, speck, apple strudel.
- Emilia-Romagna (Bologna): tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano.
FAQs
Is 7 days enough for northern Italy?
Seven days is enough for northern Italy providing you plan out your trip.
Limit bases to two and group together nearby places. Milan, Lake Como and Verona are doable as is Venice, Verona/Garda and the Dolomites.
Is 5 days enough for northern Italy?
Five days is enough for a northern Italy itinerary if you focus on one to two bases. This could be Milan, Lake Como and Verona, or Venice, Verona and Lake Garda. Avoid trying to do both Lake Como, Garda and the Dolomites in 5 days.
Can I do Milan, Venice and the Dolomites in one week?
It’s possible to see all three places but it will be tight. Aim for 2 nights in Milan, 2 nights in Venice and 2 nights in the Dolomites. It’s a realistic 1-week northern Italy itinerary with 1 day left for traveling back to Milan or Venice for departure.
How much does 1 week in northern Italy cost?
A budget for 1 week in northern Italy will vary according to individual circumstances.
Mid-range travelers might spend around an average of €140 to €220 per day per person. This includes (hotels, meals, trains and tickets/tours). The Dolomites are typically more expensive as are the prices in Venice.
What’s the best way to get from Milan to Venice?
The Frecciarossa (high-speed train) is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Milan to Venice. With an average time of around 2.5hrs it’s ideal for a 1-week northern Italy itinerary.
Which airport in Italy should I fly into?
If starting in Milan, Milan Malpensa (MXP) caters to both domestic and international flights. Milan Linate (LIN) airport does the same but doesn’t cater to as many long-haul international flights like Malpensa.
For Venice, Venice Marco Polo (VCE) is the primary international airport in Italy.
Do I need to reserve train seats?
High-speed trains include seat reservations upon booking. There’s no need to reserve seats on intercity or regional trains. Make sure to validate your paper tickets at the machine before boarding.
Is a car necessary for the Dolomites?
A car will simplify your 1-week northern Italy itinerary by being able to reach remote parts of the Dolomites. Instead, places like Bolzano and Cortina d’Ampezzo are reachable via train or coach.
What’s the best month for the Dolomites?
The best month for the Dolomites will vary according to individual travel interests. Winter sports enthusiasts will deem December to early March the best time to visit. On the other hand, hikers and bikers might prefer visiting from late spring to summer.
Lake Como or Lake Garda for a week?
Lake Como and Lake Garda have plenty to see and do to fill a 1-week northern Italy itinerary. Both have cities close by (Como: Milan, Garda: Verona), making it easy to see places other than lakes.
What are your thoughts on this simple 1-week northern Italy itinerary? Would you prefer to start your trip from Milan or Venice? Let me know in the comments below. Alternatively, send me a DM on Instagram.
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This is such a well-structured and inspiring itinerary! I’ve visited northern Italy a few times and love how this plan balances iconic places like Milan, Venice, and Lake Garda with gems such as Bergamo and Vicenza. The flexibility to choose between the Dolomites, Bologna, or Prosecco Hills makes it even better for different traveler styles. Your local insights really shine through—I’d definitely follow this itinerary on my next trip.
Thank you so much! I tried my best to make it realistic and with some easy day trip alternatives 🙂
Oh wow, what a great itinerary! This detailed guide with Milan and Venice options makes planning a trip to Northern Italy muuch easier. I've bookmarked it 😍.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
I've been to Milan this year and had so much fun! This itinerary has so many things on it that I would have loved to visit - maybe I should book another trip.
I hope you do! There is plenty more to see here 🙂
Even though I've been to Venice I'm super keen to go again, especially as the weather didn't allow us to explore the islands while we were there. Both of these sound great, although if I went there are so many places I want to go to that I'd want to do two weeks minimum x
Two weeks is a much more enjoyable time though I know that not everyone has that luxury.
What you have done here is truly amazing! For someone who has never visited Italy, like me, this article lays it all out in a way that is easy to understand.
I appreciate your hard work and I will be saving this for the day I make it to that corner of the world!
Thank you so much Victoria, that's so kind of you to say! I hope you visit us one day here x
Wow what an incredible itinerary. Can’t go wrong with a readily thought out trip !
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it
This brings me back a few years ago when I visited Italy, I had the time of my life...I can't wait to go back and visit all these amazing places and towns, amazing....
I'm happy to read that! I hope you come back again one day
It sounds like summer would be the best tie for my family to visit as we really do love long lazy days at the beach. It's good to know what you can cover in a 5 and 7 day time frame. I'd love to see the lakes!!!!
It's a good time to visit for the beach! The beauty of these itineraries is that you can choose to see what you want and leave out what you don't 🙂
Wow! Northern Italy sounds fantastic with so much to explore. I hope to take a trip in the future and see some of these wonderful places!
Me too, there really is plenty to see here 🙂
I would love to take an extended trip to explore Northern Italy. There's just so much beauty there!
There is plenty to see here!