7 days Itinerary - Arriving in Remini and Flight back from Milan Bergamo

With car or no car?

You have 7 nights on the ground, but the first night you might have to spend in Rimini or Riccione or vicinity, because you are getting there late. If you want to spend two nights, you could visit San Marino, then head up north.

Lake Garda or lake Como can be visited in 3 nights. If you opt for lake Como do that last (last 3 nights), since it’s close to Bergamo.

If you want to add the Dolomites to lake Garda (or lake Como) then skip San Marino, otherwise you don’t have enough time for the Dolomites. You need at least 3 nights for the mountains and 3 nights for the lake (whichever lake)..

If you rent a car, you could start driving up north as soon as you land, to get closer to the Dolomites or Lake Garda, but I don’t know about driving at night in unfamiliar territory. Not my cup of tea. Are you a British driver? Are you familiar with driving on the right side of the road instead of the wrong (😅) side like people do in Britain?

Venice needs 3 nights, so if you want to include it then you need to drop something else.

Thanks Roberto for your advice ..I would prefer to skip the car rental, though I am used to driving in UK...🙂
Any advice which is better Como or Garda..
Would you suggest any places to stay on the way to one of the lakes, like Verona, or a night in Bergamo?
So most probably 2 nights in Riccione or Rimini, 3 nights at lakes, and then the remaining 2 nights in Bergamo before leaving for the Milan airport?

Thanks Again

Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, just a clarification regarding the Highway Code (Codice della Strada) specifically the section concerning the driver's license, the point about that in your note.
Article 135 of the Highway Code applies to holders of driving licences issued outside the EU and EEA. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom falls into this category, so the rule applies.
You need your driving licence along with an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a sworn translation into Italian.
The IDP does not replace the licence, it complements it, and both must be carried in the vehicle.
An IDP can only be issued by the country that issued the driving licence, it cannot be obtained in Italy. Therefore, it is not something that can be sorted out upon arrival.
People often run into trouble because many car rental desks hand over the keys without asking for the IDP, leading customers to assume it isn't required. The police, however, take a different view and an insurance company, in the event of an accident, takes an even stricter one.
Your decision to use public transport was the right one, and I also believe that since you're arriving on the 29th, you won't have time to get an IDP issued.

UK drivers do not need an IDP for Italy if it's a photo licence

You're right; I had an old version of the article from the Highway Code. Below is what the official website of the British Consulate in Italy says.

British Driving Licences in Italy
Driving in Italy with a British Licence

British driving licences are valid for driving within the territory of the Italian Republic for up to one year from the date the holder establishes official residence in Italy.

Tourists and visitors may therefore use their British driving licence without needing to obtain an International Driving Permit or an official Italian translation of the document. However, if you intend to rent a vehicle, it is advisable to check the specific rental terms directly and in advance with the private rental company concerned.

Holders of a British licence who transfer their official residence to Italy may use the licence for up to one year from the date of the move. After this period, they must apply to have it converted into an Italian driving licence.

We lived in Germany from 87-91 and did a trip to the beach at Rimini around 1990.

The beach at that time was a huge disappointment. There was a bit of an odor that was somewhat offensive.
The town was OK, but frankly, I would advise skipping a stay there.

Verona is great as was Bologna. Ravenna was wonderful and you can do it in a day.
San Marino is worth a couple of hours.
Lake Garda and the Dolomites are good, but that involves a bit more of travel. However, you are flying back from Milan, so Lake Garda would be easy.
I suppose you aren't interested in Venice, still it is an amazing place and should not be ignored.

@geovagriffith,

Thanks for sharing.

So just looking at the map I guess I can either do Rimini, to Venice spend a couple of days there , else Rimini to Lake garda (Desanzano Lake garda) by train.Changing at Bologna.

So in case I need to breakup the itinerary

Arrive on 29th Aug'26 evening - Spend overnight in Rimini
30th Aug'26 - Spend the day in Rimini exploring Old town
31st Aug'26 - Travel to San Marino spend a night there
1st Sep'26 - Travel from SanMarino to Desanzano Lake Garda

4th Sep'26 - Depart from Lake Garda and stay overnight in Bergamo
5th Sep'26 - Spend the day in Bergamo and evening travel for flight back to Manchester..

Or would you suggest spending a night in Bologna or Verona or any other suggestions and reducing the day in Rimini?

Again thanks for your advice. Just trying to work out the itinerary , so that I can book my stay accordingly. Intention is to atleast book the initial stay , and keep the rest of the plan flexible..

Thanks

Arrive on 29th Aug'26 evening -
Spend overnight in Rimini

30th Aug'26
The old town in Rimini and especially the Roman bridge can be seen easily in the evening, maybe after dinner in one of the restaurants near the canal. You don't need all day to visit it, it can be done in minutes.
My cousin who lives in Rimini, likes to take me to the restaurant Da Lele, close to the Rimini Medical Center where she works. It's a bit south of the city center, but it's great for fish.
During the day you go to San Marino, or hang out at the beach. The beach is nice and sandy with lots of beach clubs (bagni) where you can rent an umbrella, but the water is not the crystal clear water Sardinia or the Caribbean but I don't remember foul odors all the times (many in my lifetime) when I went.

31st Aug'26 -
I wouldn't bother to go there and spend the night. Just go during the day, preferably on the 30th as suggested above, or, if on the 30th you want to spend the day at the beach, then go on the 31st, but return to the same hotel in Rimini. San Marino is a few hours' thing. There is a great view and a fortress but other than that it's just a tourist traps for German and Russian tourists (although not so many Russians now after the Ukraine war).

My personal choice would be to go to San Marino on the 30th from Rimini as a day trip (skip the beach). Then come back to Rimini when done. San Marino can be visited quickly and there are buses from the Rimini station that take you there frequently. If you go early in the morning, you might still have some beach time in the late afternoon. Then have dinner and take a stroll to the historical center (and the famous Roman Bridge) after dinner.

31st Aug or 1st Sep'26 (depending on when you go to San Marino)
Travel to Desanzano Lake Garda or Peschiera (both have stations). Peschiera is more historic and a UNESCO Heritage site, Desenzano has more nightlife and restaurant scene, so it depends on what you want. Between the two I'd stay in Peschiera.
Actually I prefer the north side of the lake (Malcesine, Riva, Limone, etc.), basically the portion of the lake from Garda town and north. However the train doesn't go there and you'd need a bus from Peschiera up (or also from Verona). There are also passenger ferries that you can use to go up and down the lake from Peschiera, from Desenzano, and practically every town on the lake. The lake is long, and the ferries make stops in many towns, so from the south to the north, it takes some time. In the south lake Sirmione is the most popular destination (crowded when you go), accessible via ferry or bus from both Desenzano or Peschiera. It's pretty and when I went there last time (in July) I had trouble finding parking, but that won't be an issue since you don't drive.

4th Sep'26 -
Depart from Lake Garda and stay overnight in Bergamo
5th Sep'26 -
Spend the day in Bergamo and evening travel for flight back to Manchester..

Or would you suggest spending a night in Bologna or Verona or any
other suggestions and reducing the day in Rimini?

Verona would be a great place to visit on a day trip from Peschiera, if you decide to stay there. No need to change hotels, just stay in Peschiera. If you stay in other towns, like Malcesine or Garda, there are buses directly to Verona. If you stay on the lake, use that base for visiting Verona also, don't bother to change hotels to go to Verona. Changing hotels wastes precious time and Peschiera is just minutes from Verona via train (or also buses)

Hi Roberto,

Thank you so much for the detailed itinerary, its truly helpful and helps me with taking decision on the stay in Rimini and Lake Garda.

A few questions if you would be able to suggest

1. In Rimini - Is staying closer to old town near train station better or along the coast for 2 nights? As you suggested will make that as a base and visit San Morino.

2. What would be a better idea to stay at Lake Garda , one of the north villages ( Malcesine, Riva, Limone, etc.) & any preference in those, or would making Peschiera as a base be better? If possible I would like to visit Verona if it's a must see.

3. To get to the north villages , I guess will need to arrive in Desanzano Lake Garda or Peschiera train station and then take a bus to one of these villages? Or would it make sense to make Verona as the base and visit the North villages? Or probably stay 2 nights in Verona and 2 on the lake side villages?

4. Would travel by boat or by bus be more scenic?

Thanks Again

1. Nearly all hotels are near the beach (between the station and the beach), not sure if there is much in the city center. Try to stay around the Marina Centro/Fellini Park (basically closer to the canal) so that you can walk the station within 15-20 min by walking. It's a nice stroll along the canal and is full of life in the evening. Actually in August all of Rimini is super packed with people walking everywhere.
2. Peschiera is better logistically because of the trains (including to Verona), and also the proximity of Sirmione. The north lake with all the mountains is prettier in my opinion. Malcesine and Riva are both nice, Torbole is too. Limone is the small and quaint but it's on the Lombardy side of the lake, so not ideal for day trips by bus. Better to visit it by boat. More to the south, on the East shore, some people like Garda (town) a bit north of Peschiera, but I've never been, only driven through it. Garda is a bus hub, so there are plenty of buses to both Peschiera and Verona, and ferries of course (but not to Verona, which is not on the lake). Hard to say which option is better for you. Peschiera and Garda are better to visit Verona, the north (Malcesine especially) is pretty and you can take the funicular to Monte Baldo for a gorgeous view.
3. If you want to see Verona, My first choice would be to base myself in Garda (town), my second choice would be to stay in Peschiera. Garda is also good to see the north lake, because it's closer and all buses to the north start from there, so if you stay in Peschiera and want to go the north by bus, you will likely need to change buses in Garda town.
4. By boat is scenic and relaxing, but takes longer. But you should take ferries to really enjoy the lake, for example to Limone, to Malcesine, to Sirmione. Ferry Timetables are below (click on + Timetables for PDF) https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/tickets-and-timetables-lake-garda/ Bus Timetables on the East side of the lake (Verona province) are here: https://www.atv.verona.it/LineeLago