northern italy may june 2023

If you like mountains and hiking I recommend you look into staying in the Val Gardena. it’s about 45 minutes from the city of Bolzano . There is a bus that I will take you there if you’re not driving. Lots of great hotels that include half bored plus you get a bus pass and activities that you can join. We are returning there for one week in June early July.

where do we go for these 2 nights?

I would Add one night in Bologna, to see Modena or Ferrara, and one on the Lake Orta to see the Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. Otherwise I would spend both nights in the Langhe and make a day trip to the Cinque Terre.

You are changing too many hotels and the Val d'Aosta is too far from southern Piedmont. In one day and half there, you could barely see Aosta.

The Val Gardena is so far from La Morra that you'd waste almost a day only to drive there from the Langhe.

You will have a wonderful time in the Piemonte, especially if you love food! We have been lucky enough to make many visits to Europe, and I still remember our visit to the Piemonte as one of the most decadent food experiences we've ever enjoyed on a trip.

In the Barolo area, it sounds like you've already chosen a place to stay, in La Morra. But I would like to put in a plug for the magical place we stayed in Montforte d'Alba, Le Case della Sarracca. At the time, it was only rooms and they were constructing the wine bar, it looks like now there's a restaurant, as well. Guilio Perin, the owner, was wonderful. If you are interested in wine, in addition to your day with a sommelier, your hotel should be able to arrange visits to vineyards (you don't just drop in). I most enjoyed our visit to Podere Ruggeri Corsini, where we tasted their wines in, basically, their kitchen. We had a great dinner in Monforte at Felicin, where they served us plate after plate of pasta. The little wine bar in the middle of town was full of locals and us. The most memorable meal was Sunday afternoon at La Ciau del Tornavento, another place where we seemed to keep on eating.

I also would suggest that you not also try to fit in Val d'Aosta. When we left Turin, we did a day drive up toward Val d'Aosta, partly because the entire time we were in the area it was lovely weather but hazy enough that we couldn't see the mountains until we drove further north. It was a nice day trip.

Enjoy!

I met a young lady in a laundromat in Vienna 2 years ago. She had lived in Aosta for a number of years. She said it one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen.

https://www.italia.it/en/aosta-valley

thanks all for your comments. we've been to cinque terre last september. may add an extra night to langhe and lake orta if there is availablity. i wanted to see Aosta region but not sure if early June is the right time to visit. Anyone know if it is? thanks

We spent 2 weeks in the Langhe last year and a week in the Aosta Valley. We are going there again this year, this time spending 4 weeks in the Langhe and 1 week in Aosta.

I think it is hard to go wrong with your itinerary. We have not spent a lot of time in Bologne in recent years but have been to Parma a half dozen times and had some wonderful meals especially in the country side. For wine and food though the Langhe is our new favorite and if you like to walk it is great place to eat and get exercise. We ate two good meals a day and still lost weight by walking the vineyard trails from village to village. La Morre is very nice. As commented previously Monforte D'Alba is a great town so worth a visit if you have time or save it for the future. Nearly every village in the Langhe seems to have one or more outstanding restaurants. Turin is more of a city but is also wonderful with lots of dining options, great people watching and interesting museums.

This year as last we will be in the Aosta Valley in early June. Early June is before the summer season starts, but we liked the quieter nature of being there in the off season and we had no problem finding plenty to do and eat. Last year we stayed in Courmayeur and this time are staying in Aosta. If you like to hike there are many beautiful trails that are accessible and do not require hiking gear. There are of course very challenging ones as well. Even though it is early in the season, there were Rifugio's open for dining along the hiking routes we took. If hiking is not for you, you can drive to Rifugio Monte Bianco and enjoy lunch on their deck while viewing the glacier across the valley.

Enjoy your trip and happy anniversary!

Would love to know the route you ended up taking!