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Northern Italy Itinerary + Active vacation + Food/Wine Suggestions

Posted by (Raleigh, NC, USA/Austria) on

Hi All,

My husband and I are planning a trip in mid-March to Northern Italy. We would like to fly in and out of Milan. We will ideally arrive on the evening of March 10 and leave the AM of March 18.

Our sightseeing goals are fairly open. We would like to go to Venice, Como or Garda, and have been to Milan before, so planning to avoid. I have heard good things about Bologna, and we are interested in any opportunities to visit wineries and generally eat good food (duh, Meg, it's Italy). We love biking and are active, outdoorsy people, so any suggestions related to these interests would also be welcome. We would prefer to avoid renting a car. We are open to the idea of heading up to Lugano or Turin, but obviously we don't have a ton of time.

Thoughts? Thanks for your knowledge!

Meg

Posted by
927 posts

If you haven't purchased plane tickets yet, Emirates has a sale going on today (for next 4 days but will likely sell out) for JFK to Milan for under $500 on certain dates. You'll just have to find a way to get to NY! I did a sample booking departing March 9 and returning March 18 and cost was $965 for two people total.

That being said, with only 7 days on the ground, i would limit myself to maybe Venice and Bologna with a final night in Milan. you can see all of these without a car.

Posted by
907 posts

For food and wine you can't go wrong in Emila Romagna. Thus, Bologna, Modena, Parma, Ferrara, and even the beach at Rimini.

Bologna, Modena, and Parma are good choices, easy to get between and great cities.

Posted by
5250 posts

You could do Venice and lakes, or maybe a bit of Dolomites. I would consult a guidebook about weather constraints for the mountains though. It might be the case that in March, Venice plus Bologna would be a safer bet. (Nature next time)
Turin and Piedmont would be great too, but car is better for Piedmont.

Posted by
28435 posts

Many of the streets in Bologna's very large historic district are arcaded. That could be a big plus if you are unlucky with the March weather. I haven't spent enough time in Milan (and haven't been to Torino at all), so I can't compare the situation there.

Posted by
12 posts

Thanks all-- valadelphia and arcraven--yes, I was a bit worried about the March weather myself with the lakes.

Posted by
5779 posts

Obviously, weather in March could be an issue. Another issue to consider is the greenery: we were in Eastern Europe last March and missed the glory of the gardens and the leaves on the trees. The gardens were still in winter mode.
Safe travels!

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