Escape to Northern Italy for 10 Days

You will likely be flying into Milan for this trip. Because the distances within Northern Italy aren’t too long, it’s best to rent a car so you’re not wasting time on public transportation.

After arriving in Milan, take about a three-hour drive to Portofino for 2 nights. Just beware, the roads are very tight and you need to be careful when driving. Portofino itself is a very small town with not too many hotel options, but the few that are there tend to be on the pricey side. You can stay in the neighboring town of Santa Margherita to have more budget-friendly hotel options. In Portofino, you can hike up to Castello Brown to get amazing views of Portofino Bay. It is a sight to be seen.

Afterwards, you can just wander around the main square, where you will find some boutique shops as well as some luxury brand stores and several restaurant options.

For some relaxation time, visit Paraggi Beach, a bay between Santa Margherita and Portofino, and swim in the crystal clear, beautiful emerald water.

Next, hop in your car for a 2.5 hour drive and head to Parma, where you can do a parmigiano reggiano, dairy and parma ham tour. Both these tours are pretty fascinating as you are able to see the entire process. You can either stay in Parma or the Modena area for two nights. In Modena, visit the Ferrari museum, which is connected to Enzo Ferrari’s childhood home and see the vast variety of Ferrai cars. Or take a tour of the Maserati Factory.

Whether you stay in Parma or Modena, you can take a cooking class and learn how to make homemade pasta. This was such a highlight of my trip!

After spending a few days in Parma/Modena take a three-hour drive to Milan. In Milan, you can stay two nights and get your wallets ready! When first arriving in Milan, take a walk to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Italy’s most famous shopping area. Here you will find every possible luxury brand store. It is such a beautiful structure, and you will definitely want to have some photo ops here. The first day you arrive, you can walk around the streets of Milan and take in the scenery. Although Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world, it still has some historical landmarks to visit. You can stroll to the Piazza Duomo and visit one of the largest still-standing Duomo’s in the world. To enter, you do need to purchase tickets in advance. Your ticket also lets you visit the terraces, and the views from there are spectacular. The Duomo itself is so beautiful and intricate. Another thing to do in Milan is to see the Last Supper. The tickets get sold out very quickly, so you need to book them way in advance. Walk around Parco Sempione and see the lush greenery around you. Make your way to the Castello Sforzesco, built as a fortress in the 14th century and one of Milan’s landmarks.

The last stop on your journey is Lake Como for 3 nights. In less than two hours, you can arrive in one of the most picturesque places in Northern Italy. Everywhere you look, it’s like a picture on a postcard. It is just so stunning! Getting here is a little stressful as the roads are windy and narrow. Going around turns needs to be done with ease, but once you arrive, you won’t regret it. Depending on where on Lake Como you are staying, you may need to take a ferry to different spots. The ferry system is pretty easy, but you do need to pay attention to which ferry is going in what direction. Lake Como is made up of several villages, and each one is as stunning as the next. In Bellagio, visit the Giardini di Villa Melzi and walk around the beautiful gardens. In Lenno, a must-see is Villa del Balbianello. Set on the tip of a peninsula, the views are indescribable. It is a bit of a hike, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. To do a guided tour here and see the villa inside, tickets must be purchased in advance. Take the lovers walk to Varenna and visit the Villa Monastero and do a guided tour of the villa and stroll around the beautiful gardens. Another beautiful villa to check out is Villa Cipressi and get amazing oceanfront photos.

Day trips:

From Portofino/Santa Margherita area, take a day trip to Cinque Terre. You will not be disappointed. Cinque Terre is made up of five villages, each one having unique properties. It is a beautiful place to visit and the emerald green water is breathtaking.

Portofino

• Gelato:
  -Gelateria Gepi Portofino

• Dinner:
  -La Terrazza at the Splendido Hotel: The view here is stunning!
  -Dai Gemell: Right on the waterfront and food is delicious

Modena

• Lunch:
  -Osteria di Modena Rossi: Very authentic, small restaurant.

• Dinner:
  -Osteria Francescana: A Michelin-rated restaurant and owned by the famous chef Massimo Bottura. Here you can do a tasting menu or a-la carte.
  -Franceschetta58: Another Massimo Bottura restaurant, but not quite as pricey as Osteria Francescana. Have the options of a la carte or a tasting menu.

Parma

• Lunch/Dinner:
  -Gallo d’ Oro: ncredible food

• Gelato:
  -Gioelia Cremeria Ciacco

Milan

• Lunch/Snack:
  -Marchesi: The original one started as a pastry shop but now has expanded to serve lunch on the second floor of the Galleria. Usually there is a line to get in, but it moves fairly quickly. There are other locations around the city.
  -De Santis: The sandwiches here are so good. It’s a small place and gets very busy during lunch so expect to wait a bit to get your food, but it’s delicious.

• Dinner:
  -Langosteria: Tiramisu here is the best.
  -Cantine Milano: Tasting menu available here. Their thing is you pick your wine first, then the dinner gets paired with the wine you choose.

Lake Como

• Lunch:
  -Suisse: Nce view of the waterfront.
  -Hotel Tremezzo: The pizza restaurant is so yummy.

• Dinner:
  -Dispensa63: A small, charming restaurant with only a few seats, but honestly one of the best dinners on this trip.
  -Ristorante Salice Blu: We had a great tasting menu dinner here. The chef/owner comes out at some point, making it very personable.
  -Mistral: A Michelin star restaurant with a view of the Alps.