I recently went on a three-week trip through northern Italy that blew my socks off. I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Trento, in the Trentino region, and I used it as an inspiration to plan a trip that focused exclusively on the far north of Italy. Focusing on this part of the country gave me a chance to go more off the beaten track, and I liked my route so much that I knew I had to go home and share it with all of you!
If you can spend three weeks in Italy, you are in GOOD luck. As an American, I know how hard it is to get so much free time, but if you are able to go on a longer trip, you can explore Italy so deeply. And if you don’t have enough time, I have ways to change the route to fit your schedule.
I have been traveling a lot in Italy for 15 years. It is one of the countries I know best. When I travel to Italy these days, I try not to go the well — worn route-I try to go further.
That’s what made me plan this trip and write this post for you. Although some of the places of this trip are well touristy, most of them do not do much tourism. Accordingly, it is a staggered Italy route that will be full of surprises.
Who is this itinerary for in Italy?
This route is best for those who have already traveled to Italy and have already visited the main sights. This route could also work for beginners in Italy who prefer off the beaten track rather than the busiest places to visit.
This itinerary in Italy involves a lot of variety. You will visit two of the best culinary regions of Italy, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont, admire the most picturesque mountains of Italy in Trentino and South Tyrol and visit four lakes: Garda, como, Orta and Maggiore. You will spend time in the quiet but very beautiful city of Trento, the vibrant and modern metropolis of Milan, the cozy and fun city of Bologna and visit two of the most touristic places, Florence and Verona, on day trips.
For me, this route is a real happiness: everything I love in northern Italy, with some of the drawbacks that plague tourist regions such as Venice, Cinque Terre and Rome.
Day 1: Arrival in Milan, train to Bologna
If you travel to Milan at night, you are probably a zombie. Do not set yourself very high expectations for the first day. I spent my first day hanging out with my friends and relaxing. Maybe you want to take a nap; maybe you want to push it through. Anyway, I recommend taking melatonin before bed to help you find the right time zone.
When you arrive in Milan, take a bus or train to Milano Centrale, the main train station. (If you arrive in Milan Malpensa, bus and train take the same time, but the bus runs more often and is affordable.) From here you can book and get on a train to Bologna. The frecciarossa train is a technical miracle that lasts only an hour.
Days 2-5: Bologna
Bologna is a fantastic and underrated Italian city — and it’s my favorite city in Italy. Bologna is a city that comes with many nicknames — la rossa, or red, because of the red colors of the city (and its politically liberal history), la dotta, or the scientist, because of its long history as a university city; and la grossa, or fat, because it is one of the best food cities in Italy and
Bologna is a beautiful city rich in culture that does not receive close to the number of tourists from Rome, Florence or Venice. As a result, it feels like an inhabited city without tourist traps. The cuisine is exceptional, so much so that many Italians reluctantly admit that Bologna has the best food in the country. It is also useful that Bologna is surrounded by many large cities for day trips.
My favorite thing to do in Bologna: eat, eat, eat. Discover my 25 best culinary experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy for 25 ideas. At least go to Osteria Dell’orsa for an inexpensive and tasty ragú tagliatelle and beat the aperitivi near the city center.
Day Trip from Bologna: Florence
Florence is one of the largest cities in Italy of all time. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world; the art is unparalleled. Unfortunately, Florence is also one of the most touristy cities in Europe, and if you visit during the high season, the crowd will be especially intense.
My advice? Plan this day trip with great care. If you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery or see David at the Accademia (I recommend one, but not both on the same day, unless you are a hardcore art lover), BUY TICKETS in ADVANCE. This is vital. Otherwise, you will spend most of your day standing in line. In addition, choose some sights you want to see and plan your route roughly.
Choose your priorities in Florence without planning every moment of the day-you’ll have to afford a little serendipity, even if it’s just a gelato break (my favorite is Gelateria Dei Neri). But a few tourist destinations will help you navigate this city much easier.
My favorite thing to do in Florence: enjoy the sunset from the Giardino Rosato, pictured above. It is very close to Piazzale Michelangelo, much more popular, but with much fewer tourists, and roses add to the mood.
Stay in Florence: If you choose to stay in Florence, Hotel Torre Guelfa Palazzo Acciaiuoli offers colorful central rooms and an unreal rooftop terrace. If you’re on a budget, More Florence has value for money rooms with amenities like a rooftop pool. Here you will find offers for other hotels in Florence.