ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112592618', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car right after a long flight. Day trips 1) Arles and Le Baux; (2) Avignon and Pont du Gard. We chose to take on Northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! It probably is reasonable for me to be able to go back to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Id fly into Paris and spend 3 or 4 night there and then take a train down to Nice for 2 nights there. possible route via Orange and Sault (Lavender fields); or just 4 of us (2 couples) heading to France next september.Paris mid september and have 5 weeks touring before returning to Paris mid October. Any advises you can share- I appreciate it. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). So I have gradually reduced the extent of the distances I travel. It will be cheaper to buy the tickets as you go. Driving probably as much but on a smaller area. Of the 5 towns, Vernazza is probably best for a short visit and its definitely the most scenic. Im sure youll find good information by Googling it. In fact, Nice used to be a winter resort because the weather is mild compared to the other big cities. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112594285', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Annecy to Barolo is long, two of viaMichelin's suggested routes are quite scenic. Unless you are starting from elsewhere in Europe, youll want to carefully choose which airport to fly into. Let me know if you have any other questions. When arriving, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that this town overflows with Roman history. We returned the rental car on arrival and walked to our accommodation which was very close by. Its true that you cant just all of France by just visiting Paris on your first trip, but its still not a bad idea because this city is the center of almost everything and even the areas surrounding it are filled with great sights, amazing histories, and plenty of things to do. I have a few questions. Find a detailed review about it in the time to come on my blog. Thanks also for pointing out the long distances and shorter 2 nt stays can make it harder to have time for the small towns. -Roger. However, if you have only 7 days in Northern Italy, I would probably only stay 1-2 days. The post Northern Italy & southern France in style, a 11-day road trip itinerary first appeared on Swiss Traveler, Your email address will not be published. But for a quick trip where you are trying to include as much as possible, Pisa is best for a day trip. Regardless, these two sister cities are only 40 minutes apart by car, but exhibit completely different landscapes. Thank you! Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. If you have less time and want to see a lot, plan out your transportation well and get ready for days jam-packed with things to do and breathtaking places to see! I hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions. As announced, my husband and I attach much value to staying and dining in style. The areas you are planning to visit are all obviously very well established and there arent many pitfalls to worry about if you plan it yourself. From the views, to the quiet harbor, to the unreal swimming spots like Lord Byrons Grotto and the untouched beaches of Palmeria Island, its a lovers paradise and exudes Italian charm. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger, Hi Roger. 9 days to 3 weeks Destination #1: St. Tropez Dream away in St Tropez! I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. Kind regardsCraig (NZ). This is about Relais San Maurizo, an impressive resort in a former monastery. My impression was that it was a pretty busy place with a lot of groups in for wine tastings and such. Yes, extremely helpful! The Eternal City is also quite expensive, especially by Italian standards, which is another reason to save only a few days there rather than a full week. Im so excited to look into Hotel Cler! One minute trip to Venice | Triptile | Firebird Tours Watch on Also take advantage of the linked posts within this article to discover individual destinations in depth and ultimately allow you to plan your trip better. On our last day in Annecy, we took a bus/train combo back to Paris that left Annecy around mid afternoon. I loved it in Eze, it was so beautiful in the morning as it was quiet and not crowded and the Jardin Exotique was amazing, with unforgettable views. Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list! To reachSorrentoyoull take a train to Naples and then change for a one-hour local train (known as the Circumvesuviana) to its final stop. I'm usually the first to warn people of driving when jet-lagged, but for such a short distance I'd risk it. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Days 1 2: Lucerne, Switzerland. We do like road trips and are accustomed to doing very long distance drives (in North America). I love creating free resources for your travels and personally responding to your questions over chat and email. I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website. Days 5 6: Zermatt, Switzerland. Im glad this has been helpful. travel from Cannes/nice to Italy (Rome/Florence/venice), The Originals City Le Village 49 - Angers Sud. Before coming to it, there is one more thing to add. The Tuscany of northern Italy? While youll easily be able to get from city to city and even towns using regional trains, going through the mountains will mean there are less stops and train options, or there may just be no option at all. I found it hard to narrow down the areas that we want to go to. Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. We did not venture far, to neighboring Italy and France. We walked whenever possible according to the motto Only where you were walking, you have really been (Wolfgang von Goethe). Im planning a 2 and half (possibly 3 weeks) week trip for next summer (or September); based off of your Itinerary, I basically would be going to all the cities except Provence, Milan, and Cirque Terre. But in general, when you want to explore small towns and villages and see the countryside and tale scenic routes, you need to take the smaller roads. Thank you! Be prepared for a small hotel room, even if you pay a lot, so its more about paying for the location rather than for a luxurious and large place to sleep. And I think a canal trip around Paris would be great. As the largest and most central city in Tuscany, Florence is a cultural capital filled with famous museums, cathedrals, and other sights, but its also the ideal jumping off point for day or overnight trips into some of the nearby hill towns. Its the traffic and general sense of chaos (multiplied by the summer heat) that wear on visitors. Some of these links are affiliate links. 13 Days Itinerary to Italy, Switzerland and France for a Good Mix of Europe Italy, Switzerland and France are the classic must-visits for Central Europe, each with its Perhaps surprisingly, Venice shuts down early, with most restaurants and bars closed by around 10pm. Part of the reason we chose this area was so it would be do-able to spend a few hours in Eze on the morning of check-out on our way to Italy. Do I need an international driver's licence for car hire? We had favored a place near Lyon, probably the countrys gastronomic capital. Not only on this thread, but also having read so many other conversations on this forum, I came across many helpful tips. Bus travel is also an option, but comes with its own challenges: one, understanding regional bus routes in a short period of time, and two, using coach buses means youll get dropped off in one spot and you dont have much freedom to travel around. Required fields are marked *. Hi there! It might be best to just consider any of them and look for a hotel or resort that you like the look of and that fits your budget. Venice is also quite compact so seeing the main highlights in 24 hours isnt difficult. After heading to the sea, return to the mountains around the area of Bergamo. Going in, say, April would probably be better, but if your choices are staying in Paris the whole time or also going to Nice for a couple days, I would go to Nice. My experience in Italy is that some people with limited English speak good French, so you might be able to use your French there. Next was a typical Piedmont destination, a resort near Santo Stefano Belbo. Maybe you'll catch 40 winks on the train, even if I think it's better to try to stay awake as long as possible on arrival day. France is a deceptively large country so travel will eat up some time unless you are flying or taking the bullet trains. Your insight is so much appreciated! The Statue of David in Florence: A Simple Guide to Planning Your , Where to Stay in Florence, Italy for First-Timers: Best Neighborhoods & Accommodations, Mid-range price compared to bus and rental car travel, Well-connected between cities and towns (regional trains), Can be super cheap & is overall less expensive, Takes time to understand routes of regional or city buses. Our first stop was the Lake Orta region Before going into details about the places we visited, here is the itinerary of our trip. I have done it plenty of times for both personal and business trips. My husband found most of the driving was fun (Im glad he was driving, hes a confident driver whereas Im more of a nervous wreck kind of driver). Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. Then take a train to Rome for 3 or 4 nights and fly back to Paris and then home or straight back home if you can get a cheap enough ticket that way. Once you are checked into a hotel there, you can take the same train back to Naples, or an even faster boat. Enjoy incredible beaches, immerse yourself in the local culture and discover the history of these beautiful places. If youre planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare. complete with the Restaurant Guido da Costigliole, a Michelin star dining-spot. Come back later to learn a bit more about Vienne and its flagship hotel and restaurant. This was easy to do and we got off in Menthon-Saint-Bernard. -Roger. You could probably do all three of those things on a guided trip from Rome. Driving time: 2 hours (190 km/118 miles) from Its no secret Lake Como is one of the most luxurious destinations in Italy and its exclusivity, plus the incredible views of villas and alpine peaks, makes it an intimate retreat. I prefer nearby la Morra, and there are other nice villages too. Regardless of your starting point, you can go to the Pisa Centrale train station and walk about 25 minutes to the Leaning Tower area, or take a train to the Pisa San Rossore train station and 7 minutes to the Field of Miracles. It will probably also be too cool for sunbathing until May or so, in case that matters. The thing is, between about 10am and 5pm every day of the year, the main walkways in Venice are a slow-moving parade of more tourists than seem possible or even safe. ?time to Avignon. We rather wanted to enjoy the vibes coming with being by the sea and of course we were eager to explore the region, above all by walking. Hello again! You could do it in a day, but you might be more And that is even more true of lunches and dinners in random restaurants. Gondola ride for two? Northern Italy is the most developed part of the country, so transportation is easy-to-access and can take you just about anywhere. But if the price is better in Rome, you could always take a train to a major northern Italian city or find a cheap flight with RyanAir, for example. Southern Italy Road Trip: Stop 4 Sicily Itinerary. This area also goes under the name of the French Riviera. Read my full disclosure! Which itinerary is on your bucket list? But like I said to see more or to discover more, you need to drive on those smaller roads but they take more time. in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary Summary Day 1-3 Veneto Day 4-6 Emilia Romagna Day 6-10 Tuscany Day 10-11 Liguria Day 12-14 Lombardy/Veneto Northern Italy Road Trip Map Camper or Car? Thank you for suggestions. This is the enchantingVilla della Pergola, located a bit above town in a gorgeous botanical garden. So expect suggestions for high-end accommodations, gourmet dining-spots and things to do, especially short walks (details on the latter in separate posts to follow). If you can afford another 3-4 days, then the plan looks much more sensible. Obviously you could go to an offline travel agent and have them put something together for you, and if youve done that in the past with success then it might be fine to do it again. We had not checked out the town of Vienne, where this establishment is located, in detail. Im trying to plan a graduation trip for my family of 5 for our daughters graduation. It can still be quite expensive during July and August, when most French are filling their own beaches, but in other months its not too bad. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112575872', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Avignon I would directly go there it would be one less lodging change in a short amount of time. Comment*interested in this itinerary however I would like to include 1-2 nights in Tuscany? Its much appreciated!! Italian Riviera 2 nights. From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored. And you find here also the one Michelin starred Nove Restaurant. Let me know if you have any other questions. There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. Our first stop was the Lake Orta region not far from the Swiss border to Italy. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The stops on this north Italy itinerary include: Youll probably start this itinerary in Milano, given that the most major airports are located just outside the city. We have a total of 12 nights. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise. I would actually recommend the slower pace to most people on their first trip because travel days (checking out of a hotel in one city and into a hotel in the next city) are rarely good sightseeing days and they can be a bit stressful, so minimizing them is good in some cases. The beach weather in southern Italy usually goes into early October or so. It is doable without any problem. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112612320', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Europe again in a few years, so I will resist the urge to try to cover too large a geographical area! Its also the cheapest city on this list so lingering here will be more affordable in addition to relaxing. The flights on low-cost carriers can certainly be cheap, but most major cities are only 2 to 5 hours apart by train, so riding the rails is faster, more pleasant, and far more scenic. They are on the west coast a bit north of Florence, so they are a bit out of the way if you are headed to Rome. It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula. The coast is also called Italian Riviera. We had a northern Italy and southern France trip in mind. Route Napoleon is faster but they are both scenic drives. Heres a more in-depth look at how to get around northern Italy: There are both national train lines and regional train lines, meaning you are well-connected between the major cities and there are also options to reach smaller towns. Night 12 - Hotel at Paris CDG airport. Lake Garda 2-2.5 days. I'm Michela, a travel photographer living in northern Italy with a passion for empowering wanderlusting women like you to travel fearlessly and start living their travel dream. We walked around the area, and out to the point on this huge rock where there were steps going down so you could go for a swim. Flying around in France and Italy doesnt make much sense. Theres not much I need to explain as to why Venice is a good city-break: the uniqueness of its landscape and how it affects every aspect of life from transportation to food. We are at a loss as to where to start as there are so many places that can help you or customize a trip for you. This is perhaps the most challenging question when planning an itinerary. While the drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy? Train to Florence 2 nights They are all just so filled with Europeans during July and August that it can be frustrating, so going just before or after those months is ideal. September there should be nice as well. On the other hand, Southern Italy is great for those looking for a slower pace of life, gorgeous coastal areas and plenty of ancient ruins. If you have longer, great! But I do have a couple of questions for a future trip that I am planning. Sometimes the one-way flights are exactly half the round-trip fare, sometimes a bit more than half, and other times they are double. Let me know if you have any other questions. On the plus side, Milan has one of Europes most photogenic gothic domes at its heart, and its the home to Da Vincis Last Supper (if you make reservations well in advance). Nice to Venice by train: About 7.5 hours. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112568990', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');France and a bit of Northern Italy in August to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The main city is Arles and that is probably the best base, although Avignon (where the Popes lived) is also very tourist friendly and could be a good choice. Region covered: Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Cte dAzur. Starting from Moustiers-Ste-Marie and the Gorge du Verdon for example. Days 9 10: Bernina Express and Milan, Italy. Itinerary tips and tricks, Affordable safaris in Kenya & Tanzania: Tips from a pro. In reality, any daytime visitor who uses the typical precautions will be fine. And of course I will also let you know how it is staying and dining at Chteau Saint-Martin. I think the hiring a car for a village near Siena sounds great. In regards to returning to the states, would you recommend I fly out of Naples? It is housed in a building typical for this region, a so-called mas. Nights 8-9: La Morra, Italy - in Piemonte region. Id also like to see Lake Como, Lake Guardia, Dolomites and Piedmont but know we cant fit it all in and Im ok with making another trip some day. They had a shuttle bus that took us down to Eze). All of Italys regions offer something unique and in this guide, the spotlight is on the north. Best for: history, sightseeing, nature, small towns, food & wine. On the other hand, youve got the time it seems so it could be a good place to slow down for a bit. Niceis the largest (and cheapest) city on the Cte dAzur (AKA French Riviera) so its the perfect base to explore this stunning part of the world for a few days. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. And we came upon Hotel and Restaurant La Pyramide. My favorite hotel in Paris is called the Hotel Cler, which is on a small market street called Rue Cler, just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I cant begin to thank you enough for your input and detailed info with links. All of your tips are very helpful. Im going to re-think the middle Hire car and stay in a village near Siena 4 nights (day trips in the car) There will be options and decisions youll have to make based on your own tastes, but no matter how you do it this should be an unforgettable trip. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland. We are trying to plan a trip for 6 to Paris 4-5 days, then Lake Como for 2/3 days, then Amalfi Coast Then explore Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, the oldest national park in Italy, before heading north to the tiny town, but skiing haven of Breuil-Cervinia to see Monte Cervino otherwise known as the Matterhorn! Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer. If its your first stop you should add at least one extra day to help deal with jet lag, but you should plan on staying as long as possible because the French capital is one of the worlds great (and most beautiful) cities by any definition. I think the train only takes you to Sorrento and then you have to take a bus or a shuttle to Positano, but Im sure youll figure that all out. However, there is a lot more to unpack when deciding which Italian region to visit. Southern France Northern Italy Itinerary suggestions Can anyone suggest an itinerary and logistics for 22 days..Fly into Nice out of Milan in May Would like to go I concur that 3 h after your arrival time is the minimum amount of time recommanded for taking a train in CDG. Is there something else we should The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Days 7 8: Glacier Express and St Moritz, Switzerland. The choice fell on Alassio, a Ligurian seaside resort west of Genoa. Provence is also known for its cuisine, as it stands out even within a country where the food is amazing virtually everywhere you go. Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. Ok, I will plan for 3-4 hrs from the arrival time at CDG to the time for the departure with the TGV. Head west to Turin, a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana. With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, youll mostly be limited to cities. -Roger, Paris (minimum 3 nights but even that is rushing it), Venice (1 night minimum, 2 nights maximum), Florence (2 nights minimum, plus side trips), Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (optional up to 4 nights), Should you buy European train tickets in advance: Yes, and here's how to save, How and why to plan a (cheap) splurge on your next trip, How long to stay in each city? I considered this northern Italian spot as the ideal one to start our trip. We chose to take on And the Italian lakes regions really deserve more time then 2 nights. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rough Itinerary: Southern France, Northern Italy, Re: Rough Itinerary: Southern France, Northern Italy, Get answers to your questions about France, Eiffel Tower tickets to the top smallest wait time. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso. In the time to come, you will find reviews of the luxury hotels we stayed and the Michelin (starred) restaurants we dined. Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. Drive to the Luberon . Tour du Mont Blanc - Day Hike Recommendations. Im going to re-think the middle portion of this trip. For this trip we are interested in exploring mainly small towns, countryside, mountains. I wasnt even aware that outlet shopping had spread to Europe, but according to the internet, it has! Many do advise against driving a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you are over 25 you have to buy a 1st Class Eurail Pass, and those are probably only best for those with a bit more money to spend. And in between you have many other ways to make your trip work for you. Its better to plan to go slower and if you are getting bored you can do a day or overnight trip to something nearby. Then youll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites. Here are some suggestions: Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto! Read my guides to Italy in Summer, Italy in Fall, and Italy in Winter to dive deeper into which season may be a better fit for you. The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. Here are some foods to try in every region on this itinerary: Starting in Piemonte, the speciality is one of the most expensive and luxurious foods in the world: truffles! Paris is always great, but for Lake Como it really depends on the time of year. My husband and I walked to it while staying at the nearby Paradou. After all, this nation is the cradle of European civilization established by the Roman Empire and carried on by the Roman Catholic Church. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112591753', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane and then the travel by train, by the time we make it as far as Avignon wed be exhausted and just want a bed to lie on! You don't say where your mas is south of Avignon, but if not too far I would rent the car on arrival and go there directly if you can add 1 more night. 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary Breakdown. Cinque Terre photo byWorld Walk About on Flickr, Your email address will not be published.