Please advise our Northern Italy itinerary ?

Posted by aderasmo7 on 10/06/25 10:50 PM

Hi
My wife and I are planning a trip in early / mid May 2026 to the following destinations :

Fly to Venice and stay 3 nights.
Verona & Lake Garda stay 3 nights.
Milan stay 3 nights.
Lake Como Bellagio stay 2 nights. (Varenna is optional instead of Bellagio).
Turin stay 2 nights.
Back to Milan for flight back to U.S.

We’re not driving and plan on using trains, ferries , and bus if needed.
We’ve been following Rick’s advice on our last few trips of going strictly carry-on so we won’t be bringing
Any big luggage. Are we leaving out some nice destinations ? Are we trying to do too much ?
We have not been to any of these destinations so I’m wondering if this seems like a workable plan.
We certainly would like to do day trips as well.
Thanks for reading !
Anthony

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

10/06/25 11:20 PM

17025 posts

Which Milan airport are you flying out from? Malpensa or Linate?
Either way I would probably leave Milan as your last nights of your journey.
Be aware that Malpensa is a bit far from the city, so you need about 40 minutes by train from the Milan Cadorna station (or 55 minutes from Centrale).
I’m not a huge fan of Milan, so I would probably limit my stay to 2 nights before flying home. You can add that time to any of the other places you are visiting. Maybe I would do an extra night on lake Como, but it’s up to you.
The portion I like best of lake Garda is the north side, which is farther from Verona and more difficult to reach (buses only). I wouldn’t split my stay between Verona and lake Garda. Stay in one and day trip to the other. On the south side of the lake Sirmione is nice, but hugely popular and crowded in summer and weekends, so, if you can, go there on a weekday.

Posted by jules m

Twin Cities of MN

10/06/25 11:23 PM

7579 posts

I don't think you have enough time for Venice and Lake Como. Personally, I'd add a day each, and take them from Milan.I would also consolidate your Milan stay to the end of your itinerary. I hope you plan to be in Milan the night before your flight.

In terms of missing anything, Italy has lots of nice places you are bound to miss something. I thought Padua was very nice and we loved our time there. It is close to Verona.

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

10/07/25 12:31 AM

8908 posts

Hi, I would consolidate your lake time and just go to Lake Como or Stresa at nearby Lake Maggiore. I’m also not a fan of Milan, but I love Torino. Yes, all of these destination are easy by train.

Fly to Venice and stay 3 nights.
Verona - stay 3 nights. (Mantova is a nice day trip with amazing Gonzaga trasures.)
Turin (Torino) stay 3 nights.
Lake Como Bellagio stay 2 nights. (Varenna is optional instead of Bellagio).
Milan - 2 nights.
Fly back to U.S.

Ideas for hotels, etc.:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-solo-mother-daughter-in-north-italy