10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary: A Slow Travel Route You’ll Love

After every trip I take to Italy, I come home and start looking at houses to buy- I just can’t help myself.  It’s a country with beauty, history, art, and amazing food.  But the best part of Italy is the people- especially once you get out of the major cities.

This 10 day northern Italy itinerary will show you the best places to get off the beaten path a little bit and connect with the real Italy.  And northern Italy is my absolute favorite part of this gorgeous country.  

One moment, you’re sipping an Aperol Spritz on the shores of Lake Como; the next, you’re getting lost (on purpose) in Verona’s winding streets. The Dolomites offer adventure, while cities like Florence serve up culture plus the best pasta you’ll ever eat. 

This itinerary for northern Italy includes a visit to incredible Roman ruins, jaw-dropping mountain views, test driving fast cars, perusing incredible art, and lots and lots of amazing food.  

After visiting Northern Italy, you- like me- might be checking out realtor sites.  Maybe we can be neighbors! 

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Why This 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Feels Relaxing

Northern Italy can overwhelm you if you let it. Milan, Venice, Cinque Terre, Bologna, Tuscany, the Dolomites… it’s tempting to cram it all in.

But this route gives you contrast without chaos:

Lake views
Renaissance masterpieces
Slow food immersion
Romantic old-town wandering

And the best part? You never need a car. High-speed trains make this entire 10 day Northern Italy itinerary smooth and simple.

Days 1–3: Lake Como — Your Soft Landing

After a long travel day, arriving at Lake Como feels like exhaling.

You’ll most likely come from Milan by train (about an hour), roll your suitcase a short distance to your hotel, and suddenly you’re staring at water framed by mountains and pastel villas.

This is where your trip shifts into Italian time.

🚃 Traveling by train? Book train tickets for your trip here.

Where to Stay at Lake Como

If it’s your first time, I’d choose either Varenna or Bellagio. Both towns are scenic, walkable, and perfectly placed for ferry hopping. Varenna is where the train station is located, but Bellagio is all about the atmosphere.

• Nenè- La Scalinata– My family stayed in this apartment with an amazing view.  
• Hotel Du Lac ⭐️- Family run hotel in Bellagio right on the main square.
• Hotel Villa Cipressi– Exquisite hotel in Varenna is surrounded by gardens.
• Albergo Del Sole– On the adorable Piazza San Giorgia in Varenna

👉 Click here to book Hotel Du Lac for your perfect stay

Stay somewhere with a view. It changes everything.

⛴️ You could also do Lake Como as a day trip from Milan if you’d prefer. 

I have to be honest, getting around Lake Como is a bit confusing.  I never could actually figure out how to buy ferry tickets online.  But the good news is that all you really need to do is go to the ticket office and they can help you.    

Great Restaurants in Bellagio and Varenna:

La Dolce Vita
Located in Bellagio on a side street away from the crowds, this small place has great food and a nice atmosphere.

Bar Pasticceria Rossi
A tiny bakery in Bellagio, this was our go-to for an espresso and a pastry in the morning.

Vecchia Varenna
With delicious food and an unbeatable view of the lake, this is a great place to go in Varenna.

La Passerella
What to do when starts raining while you’re exploring the adorable town of Varenna? Hole up in a gelato shop of course. And you might as well go somewhere with an incredible view.🍦

Day 1: Arrival + Aperitivo

Keep this simple.

Check in. Freshen up. Walk to the water.

Order your first Aperol Spritz or glass of prosecco. Sit outside. Watch the light change on the lake. Just enjoying the view with a cocktail is one of my best memories of Lake Como.

Dinner should be unhurried. Pasta. Local wine. Maybe tiramisu. You’re not sightseeing tonight. You’re adjusting.

This is how I like to start every Italy trip — calm, not chaotic.

Day 2: Explore Lake Como by Ferry

The ferry system on Lake Como is part transportation, part experience.

Spend the morning wandering your base town. Get lost in the narrow stone lanes. Stop in small boutiques. Take too many photos.

Then hop on a ferry and cross the lake.

One of the joys of visiting Lake Como is checking out all the pretty villages on its shores.  Pick a couple to visit.  

• Bellagio, the most well-known village on Lake Como, is famous for its elegant streets, beautiful gardens, and scenic waterfront. 
• Varenna is a quieter village with colorful houses.  While there, you can visit the Villa Monastero and the scenic Lovers’ Walk (Passeggiata degli Innamorati).  It also has the train station if you are taking public transportation.
• Menaggio is great for lakeside strolls or do some hiking along its trails.
• Tremezzo is home to Villa Carlotta which has stunning gardens and an art collection worth checking out.
• Como, the main city on the lake, features the Como Cathedral (Duomo di Como), charming streets for shopping, and the funicular (train that runs uphill) to Brunate for amazing views.

Wherever you go, be sure to sit somewhere scenic for lunch and stretch it into two hours like the Italians do.

Day 3: Villas + Views

Today is for one big experience and one slow one.

Visit Villa del Balbianello. Walk the gardens. Take in the lake views from above.

Or just take it easy and spend your day relaxing-

Swim at the lido, enjoy a leisurely glass of wine, explore cobblestone paths, take a passagiatta along the lake path, go in search of the best pasta in town, and shop to your heart’s content.

Lake Como is about atmosphere and beauty. So just soak it in.

Days 4–6: Florence — Art, Architecture & Tuscan Evenings

From Lake Como, take the train through Milan to Florence. The journey is about three hours total.

And when you step out of Santa Maria Novella station and see the Duomo rising in front of you? It’s a moment right out of all those movies you watched that made you want to plan this trip.

Florence feels different from the lake. More energy. More history. More layers. And yes, much more to see.

Where to Stay in Florence

Definitely stay in the historic center so you can walk everywhere.

• Great Apts. Few Steps to The Duomo– My family and I stayed in one of these apartments and loved it
• Il Tornabuoni ⭐️- I stayed here for a girls trip and it was absolute perfection near all the shopping
• Brunelleschi Hotel – Overlooking Florence Cathedral with a 2-star Michelin restaurant
• Hotel Pendini – This family-run hotel dates back to 1879 and close to everything

👉 Click here to book Il Tornabuoni for your stay in Florence

Florence is compact. That’s one of the reasons it fits so well into a 10 day Northern Italy itinerary. 

Day 4: First Impressions of Florence

Florence is one of my favorite cities.  It’s big enough to have tons to do but not so big that it’s overwhelming.  Around every corner is a piece of history- and great gelato. 

Walking is the best way to get a feel for the city and you never know what amazing thing you’ll stumble upon. So instead of heading on a mission to hit every sight, let the city unfold.

Stroll to the Duomo. Stand in Piazza della Signoria. Cross Ponte Vecchio. But don’t make it a checklist, make it an adventure.

If the weather’s good, check out the Boboli Garden (my favorite) or Oltarno. Or instead, take a look at the art in the Palazzo Pitti.

Then in the evening, climb or taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset. Watching the light fall over Florence’s terracotta rooftops is something you’ll remember.

Dinner tonight? Keep it simple. Pasta with cacio e pepe. A glass of Chianti. You’re in Tuscany now.

Great Restaurants in Florence:

Caffè Gilli
A historic place on the Piazza della Repubblica to grab an aperitivo, they also have plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Caffè Scudieri Firenze
This cafe that opened in 1939 is a great place to grab a coffee and croissant right by the Cathedral.

Ristorante Tre Pepi
Wonderful waitstaff, delicious food, and a great atmosphere at this place near Santa Croce.

Oltrarno Ristorante Toscano
This place is known for its Florentine steak and I recall going here back in 1999 with my husband.  It’s on the other side of the river, near the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. 

Mercato Centrale Firenze
Near the train station, this historic market is the perfect to shop for leather goods and try out local Tuscan street food.

👋 Hey! One of my favorite things to do in Florence is climb the Duomo for breathtaking views over the city.  Visit in the morning for fewer people.

Day 5: Renaissance + Wine Bars

Pick one major museum. Just one. I promise that’s all you can absorb in one day.

Head to either the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. And definitely pre-book tickets so you’re not waiting in line (the earlier, the better to avoid everyone else).

Or book a tour and go in-depth.

After that, shift gears. Have lunch at Mercato Centrale. This historic food hall will have you wanting to try everything you see.

Then wander over to Santa Croce and marvel at the people buried there. Pop into leather shops and artisan studios. Slow down in a wine bar.

Florence is not meant to be conquered. It’s meant to be absorbed.

Day 6: Choose Your Adventure

This is your flexible day.

You could:
• Take a wine tour in the Tuscan countryside
• Visit Siena
• Do a cooking class
• Or simply spend the day discovering quieter corners of Florence

On a 10 day Northern Italy itinerary, having one adaptable day is important. It gives you breathing room.

Days 7–8: Modena — The Heart of Italian Food

Now we shift into one of my favorite parts of this trip. From Florence, it’s about one hour by train to Modena.

Modena is not flashy. It’s not crowded. It’s not built for mass tourism. It’s built for people who love food.

And if you care about food, this stop will change your trip.

Where to Stay in Modena

Stay near Piazza Grande so you can walk everywhere.

• Hotel Rua Frati 48– Luxury hotel with a spa and wellness center located near the theatre.  
• PHI Hotel Canalgrande ⭐️- Filled with beautiful antiques and art and offers a nice lounge.
• Hotel Cervetta– Steps from everything and offers parking and a nice breakfast
• Mazzini’s Rooms– Perfect location right on a quiet piazza.  

👉 Click here to book PHI Hotel Canalgrande for your stay in Modena

Day 7: A Gentle Introduction to Modena

Spend today just exploring this charming small town.

Walk through Piazza Grande. Step inside Modena Cathedral. Wander quiet side streets.

Stop for espresso. Stop again for gelato. In Modena, there is no giant piazza where everyone congregates. It’s more about small, secret little squares that are fun to discover.

Dinner tonight should be traditional. Order tortellini in brodo. Or tagliatelle al ragù. And don’t skip Lambrusco. It’s local and surprisingly good.

Modena feels intimate. That’s what makes it special on this 10 day Northern Italy itinerary.

Great Restaurants in Modena:

Osteria Francescana
A small, 3-star Michelin restaurant serving tasting menus as well as a la carte options. Be sure to book in advance!

Mi Piace Trattoria
Good food in a wonderful atmosphere.  The tortellini in brodo is especially tasty.   

Ciccio
A great little wine bar for a glass and some nibbles.

Mercato Storico Albinelli
By far the best place to get a bite to eat.  This historic food market has everything you might need for a picnic- check out all the offerings.  But there are also little restaurants there for a meal if you’d like to sit down.  

Gioelia Cremeria
Delicious gelato in lots of flavors on a nice little piazza where you can enjoy it.

Day 8: Experiences You’ll Never Forget

Book one immersive experience today.

Tour a traditional balsamic vinegar acetaia and see barrels aging for decades in attic lofts.

Or visit a Parmigiano Reggiano factory early in the morning when giant wheels are lifted from brine.

These experiences are deeply local. They’re not tourist traps. They’re traditions.

And they add depth to your trip in a way no museum can.

🍝 Looking to go on a food tour or take a cooking class on your trip? Check out my post about the Best Food Tours in Modena for my picks!

Not a foodie? Spend time learning about fast cars instead.

In town is the Museo Enzo Ferrari which showcases the life of the creator of Ferrari with several cars on view. 

 Then 20 minutes from Modena is the Museo Ferrari (Maranello). You can even book a Ferrari test drive in the small town of Maranello!  

I’m not a car person and I even enjoyed visiting it with my family.

If you’re feeling fancy, have dinner at the 3-star Michelin restaurant Osteria Francescana for dinner- just be sure to make reservations far in advance.

Days 9–10: Verona — Romance & River Walks

Your final stop is Verona, just about an hour from Modena by train.

Verona feels almost like a storybook. It’s smaller than Florence. Just a little bit softer and easier. And there’s definitely more to it than just Romeo & Juliet.

With Roman ruins, charming piazzas, and even a castle, it’s the perfect town to end your 10 day Northern Italy itinerary.

Where to Stay in Verona

Stay inside the historic center walls.

• Due Torri Hotel– Rooftop terrace at this luxury hotel looks out over the old town.
• Hotel Accademia ⭐️- Set in an historic building just steps from the Verona Arena
• Hotel Giulietta e Romeo– Just steps from the Verona Arena and Piazza Brá
• Hotel Milano & Spa– Modern, elegant hotel in Verona’s historic center

👉 Click here to book Hotel Accademia for your stay in Verona

Great Restaurants in Verona:

Casa del Caffé
This place has an excellent croissant filled with hazelnut cream that my son still talks about.  Yum.  Be sure to check out the ancient city underneath glass in the path nearby!

Caffè Ai Lamberti
Piazza Erbe is a great place to people watch and this is a great place to do it.  It also has a decent risotto with Amarone wine.

Ristorante Vittorio Emanuele
On Piazza Brá, this place from the 1800s has seasonal Veronese classics either inside the gorgeous restaurant or at the tables outside.  My husband and I love it for an aperitivo with a great view of the Arena.   

Re Teodorico
Head across the river and up the till for a drink at this place with hilltop views by the Castel San Pietro.

Day 9: Exploring Verona

Start at the Verona Arena which is not quite as impressive as the Roman Colosseum, but it’s much more accessible. And still used for concerts and plays. And Piazza Brá is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before your visit.

Then wander Piazza delle Erbe– a lively square with colorful buildings, market stalls, and cafes.

Visit Juliet’s House if you want to lean into the romance and visit the famous balcony from Romeo and Juliet.  Be sure to get tickets in advance or even book a tour or skip-the-line ticket.

Or head across the river and up the hill to the Castel San Pietro.  If you’re not up to walking, there is a funicular that will bring you up to the castle.

But my favorite is just walking along the Adige River at sunset, crossing Castelvecchio Bridge, and watching the sky turn pink.

Verona is a place worth taking your time.

Day 10- Travel Home

And just like that, it’s time to say ciao, bella to Italy. The trip from Verona to Milan’s Malpensa airport takes about 2 hours.

I hope you leave with incredible memories, stunning photos, and a deeper appreciation for this beautiful corner of the world.

If you have more than 10 days in Italy

Lucky you! I am always talking about renting or buying a house here so I can explore to my heart’s content.  One day…

One option is to take some day trips from Florence.  There are great options for day tours from Florence without the hassle of trying to plan it yourself. 

You could also visit Venice which I have been to several times and absolutely love- just make sure it’s not flooding season.  

If you want some beach time, check out the villages of Cinque Terre.  Or head to the Ligurian coast and see Portofino.

Or heck, just rent a house and spend a month exploring all the places around here.   Seriously, you can!  The longer you stay, the more likely the rental owner is willing to go down on price. 

🏠 If you’re looking to rent an entire house, VRBO has rental houses, villas, and city flats anywhere you want to go in the world.

My Favorite Travel Websites

Questions about Travel in Italy

When to go to Italy?
I love Italy in autumn when the weather is nice and the summer visitors are gone.  Spring is a good time too for the same reasons but there might be some rain.  Summer is good for a beach trip but try to avoid August if you can because it’s hot and all the Europeans are on vacation that month so things are a little more crowded and expensive.

Is Italy expensive?
Italy is kind of in the middle compared to the rest of Europe.  It cost a little more than Spain but less than Switzerland.  

How to get around Italy?
I love the train system in Europe. You can get pretty much anywhere you want to go without needing a car. But if you love the freedom to come and go as you please, a car might be right for you. This itinerary can be used no matter if you’re traveling by public transportation or car.

Is Italy safe?
Italy is completely safe and great for solo travel.  The only thing you need to worry about are pickpockets- as you do in large cities no matter where you are in the world.   

I hope this itinerary has helped you come up with a plan to visit this historic and absolutely beautiful part of Italy.  I know once you visit northern Italy, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.

Happy travels! 🇮🇹