10 Days in Northern Italy

Arrive into Milan on day one of your Northern Italy travels. Milan is the best-situated airport in Northern Italy with access to all the region has to offer. You might be exhausted, but to make the most of your 10-day itinerary, head to the iconic Milan Central train station to catch your train to Turin.

The train ride is just an hour away. Once in Turin, check into your hotel, grab some dinner nearby and call it a night.

Turin may not be the main destination people think of traveling to in Italy, but there is actually a lot to do there! Not to mention it's a more cost-friendly portion of Italy, if that's what you're looking for.

Turin is home to many museums. Here are my top recommendations:

Museo Egizio: It might seem random, but it is one of the most popular destinations to visit. This museum is the only one outside of Cairo dedicated to Egyptian history.

Mole Antonelliana: This is the most iconic part of the city, and is a noticeable point in the Turin city skyline. Fun fact: it was originally built to be a synagogue.

Parco del Valentino & Borgo Medievale: Finish your day walking the beautiful Parco del Valentino while also exploring the Borgo Medievale. The park is beautiful, as it sits right along the river. The medieval castle sits inside the park and is a replica of what existed hundreds of years earlier.

Pick up your rental car in the morning from the Turin train station and make your way to Lake Como. Enjoy the scenery along the way; don't let the driving intimidate you! Especially if you have a co-pilot, it's quite manageable. Take your time and make stops along the way. The drive usually takes two to three hours.

Once you hit the southern part of Lake Como, you might pull over a few times because of the breathtaking beauty.

Check into your hotel in Bellagio.

Take a private sunset cruise on a traditional boat: This is an absolute must while you're on Lake Como. Especially since the boat tour will likely be on a traditional boat. There are multiple options. Let me help you book this!

Town hop Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna: Get a full-day ferry pass and spend the day moving between each of the three villages. Grab an espresso in Bellagio before boarding, grab some lunch and rosé (or any non-alcoholic beverage of your choice) in Varenna and finish the day with gelato or dinner in Menaggio.

Visit Villa Monastero: While on Lake Como, you must visit at least one lakeside villa. Villa Monastero is a great option, located right in Varenna. There is a fee to enter, but it is well worth it. Visit, walk around the garden and stop for a coffee or tea. The views here are some of the most spectacular and iconic.

Spend day five of your Northern Italy itinerary relaxing. I always recommend having at least one day where you don't have anything booked. It leaves room for relaxing and doing something spontaneous!

You might want to sit by the pool, hop in the lake from a local beach or find a café to sit and people watch for hours.

I also recommend visiting Il Perlo Hotel and Restaurant up the hill. You will find some of the most iconic views of Lake Como. Visit for an aperitivo or pre-dinner beverage around four or five o'clock in the evening. The views will not disappoint!

On day six, wake up early to drive down to Florence. You will spend the next two nights exploring the city. Once you drop your rental car off at the Florence airport, take the tram into the city.

Next, check into your hotel.

Grab your walking shoes and join a walking tour. This is a great way to get oriented with your surroundings. If you want something more intimate, a private tour is also a great option.

When you start to get hungry, Angel Roofbar & Dining is a lovely option to satisfy those cravings. A rooftop bar and restaurant is a must in Florence. There are so many to choose from. Start with Angel if you don't want to be overwhelmed by all of the options.

On day seven, wake up early before the crowds start coming!

Ponte Vecchio: Visit the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River. This is a high-tourist attraction, so it can get quite busy as the day progresses.

Visit the Accademia Gallery to see the Statue of David with skip-the-line tickets purchased in advance.

Lastly, make sure to visit a wine window at Babae. Wine windows are a special thing in Florence that you might not see in other parts of Italy (or Europe). They were originally built as a way for families to sell wine without having to pay taxes as a business (hundreds of years ago). Babae is a restaurant, though their wine window is only open for a few hours in the late afternoon. There might be a line, but the experience is worth it!

With only 10 days in Northern Italy, I recommend doing a day trip from Florence to Chianti for a full-day wine tour. I can help you find the perfect one! You don't have to worry about transportation. Just relax and enjoy the ride (and the wine!).

Take the early morning train to Cinque Terre! Then, check into your hotel.

A half-day pesto cooking class and boat tour is a great way to spend the afternoon learning how to make pesto (the iconic dish native to the Ligurian region).

Spend your morning leisurely exploring the area.

Then, take a mid-day train back to Milan. Check into your hotel for your last night and wake up the next morning ready to explore the city until your final dinner.