Northern Italy Self-Drive
To the Dolomites!
Get ready for jaw-dropping scenery, iconic historical sites, and fairytale hillside towns! Experience Como, Verona, Bolzano, and Milan on this 7, 8, or 9-night road trip through Northern Italy. Drive through stunning South Tyrol, spot bright blue lakes, and wander through colorful villages near the Dolomites. With included tours, tastings, and meals, this vacation is the perfect taste of Northern Italy.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Milan (MXP)
- Manual rental car for the duration of your trip – upgrade to automatic available
- Pickup & Drop off Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- 1 night in Como at the Hotel Metropole Suisse
- 2 nights in Verona at the Hotel Villa Malaspina
- Verona Food & Wine Walking Tour
- 3 nights in Bolzano at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, or similar
- Traditional dinner at a local restaurant
- Cheese Tasting Tour
- Half-day private tour of Bolzano
- 1 night in Milan at the Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center or NYX Milan Hotel
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
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Visit Bressanone, Chiusa, Ortisei, Vipiteno, and other picture-perfect towns in South Tyrol.
- Take note of German and Austrian influence in South Tyrol! You may even find strudel and soft pretzels around Bolzano.
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Travel back to Shakespearean times and see Juliet's balcony in Verona.
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From Lake Como to Lake Braies, admire Northern Italy's natural beauty.
-
Come face-to-face with the impressive Duomo di Milano.
Get ready to discover the magic of Northern Italy! From Como, to Verona, to South Tyrol, to Milan, this once-in-a-lifetime vacation boasts the very best of Northern Italy's artistic culture and natural beauty. With your very own rental car, you'll have the freedom to explore at your own pace!
Embark on a drive through the Dolomites, feel your eyes widen at bright blue Lake Braies, and wander through adorable pastel-colored towns. Along the way, you'll enjoy included tours, like a cheese tasting tour in South Tyrol, a half-day private tour of Bolzano, and a food and wine walking tour in Verona! Gaze out at Lake Como, and stare up in awe at Milan Cathedral. This incredible package is the adventure you've been waiting for.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Milan (MXP)
- Manual rental car for the duration of your trip – upgrade to automatic available
- Pickup & Drop off Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- 1 night in Como at the Hotel Metropole Suisse
- 2 nights in Verona at the Hotel Villa Malaspina
- Verona Food & Wine Walking Tour
- 3 nights in Bolzano at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, or similar
- Traditional dinner at a local restaurant
- Cheese Tasting Tour
- Half-day private tour of Bolzano
- 1 night in Milan at the Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center or NYX Milan Hotel
- Breakfast daily
-
Visit Bressanone, Chiusa, Ortisei, Vipiteno, and other picture-perfect towns in South Tyrol.
- Take note of German and Austrian influence in South Tyrol! You may even find strudel and soft pretzels around Bolzano.
-
Travel back to Shakespearean times and see Juliet's balcony in Verona.
-
From Lake Como to Lake Braies, admire Northern Italy's natural beauty.
-
Come face-to-face with the impressive Duomo di Milano.
Get ready to discover the magic of Northern Italy! From Como, to Verona, to South Tyrol, to Milan, this once-in-a-lifetime vacation boasts the very best of Northern Italy's artistic culture and natural beauty. With your very own rental car, you'll have the freedom to explore at your own pace!
Embark on a drive through the Dolomites, feel your eyes widen at bright blue Lake Braies, and wander through adorable pastel-colored towns. Along the way, you'll enjoy included tours, like a cheese tasting tour in South Tyrol, a half-day private tour of Bolzano, and a food and wine walking tour in Verona! Gaze out at Lake Como, and stare up in awe at Milan Cathedral. This incredible package is the adventure you've been waiting for.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Como!
Upon arrival in Milan, pick up your rental car and drive to Como, the first stop on your Northern Italian adventure. Check-in to your hotel and get settled, then explore on your own!
Feast your eyes on the beauty of Lake Como, get to know the city of Como, or venture to the picturesque lakeside towns of Bellagio and Varenna!
Check-in - Hotel Metropole Suisse
Enjoy a relaxing stay in the heart of Como at Hotel Metropole Suisse, family run since 1892. Located in the center of the city overlooking Lake Como, you will be within short walking distance from not only the lake but all of Como's must-see sights like Broletto, Cathedral of Como and Casa del Fascio. The hotel is located across the street from the boat docks and within walking distance of both train stations.
Behind the beautiful 19th-century facade, Hotel Metropole Suisse has 100 rooms decorated with a tasteful European touch, while suites feature stunning views of Lake Como. Enjoy complimentary breakfast and then dinner at Ristorante Imbarcadero, serving fine Italian cuisine in a formal dining salon or outside on the summer lakefront terrace. Metropole's staff will help you organize excursions by foot or car, restaurant reservations, boat trips and everything else this enchanting area has to offer.
Day 2. Como - Verona
Today, you'll drive just over 2 hours to Verona, a medieval city made famous for being the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. If you're interested in spending time in Milan, you may want to stop along the way.
Upon arrival in Verona, check-in to your hotel and discover the beauty of this riverside city. Find Juliet's Balcony, then treat yourself to a lovely dinner in the old town.
Check-in - Villa Malaspina
Hotel Villa Malaspina is strategically situated in a position at the edge of Verona city, reachable by public transportation. It is near the countryside area in the south of Verona city, in the famous area of rising farming. The historical center of Verona is 5.5 miles from the hotel, the airport is about 6 miles, and the Exhibition Area is only about 4 miles from the hotel.
Day 3. Verona
Get ready to mangia! Today, you'll embark on your Verona Food & Wine Walking Tour.
After a fun, food-filled experience, why not take a day trip to Venice? Just a 90-minute drive from Verona, the legendary canal-filled city awaits. Treat yourself to a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, take photos from the Rialto Bridge, and stroll around St. Mark's Square.
Enjoy a relaxing night back at your Verona hotel.
Verona Food & Wine Walking Tour
Immerse yourself in the culinary wonder of Verona. Follow your enthusiastic foodie culinary guide on a 3.5 hour walking tour around the old city center, stop at the old fashioned “botteghe" and taverns and discover the gastronomic traditions of the city. Meet the expert local food guide and begin the day with a nice espresso and pastries, then continue to walk through the lanes to the next stages, including a real “bottega” to taste some local cheese and salami with some homemade bread. Afterwards you will visit other local places to taste some typical Italian food and wine, that it's very important because Verona is the capital of wine in Italy. You'll taste wines such as the local Amarone, only produced in Verona, and Valpolicella, while hearing interesting stories behind the flavors. You will then finish the food trip with an artisanal ice cream. Our culinary guide will suggest some other good places to visit and explore more about Veronese and Italian enogastronomy!
Day 4. Verona - Bolzano
Today, you'll enjoy a scenic drive north to Bolzano, a lovely city in South Tyrol. Surrounded by mountainous beauty and vast vineyards, this picturesque city resembles a real-life postcard.
After settling in at your hotel, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant!
Check-in - Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano
Step into luxury and elegance at the contemporary Four Points Sheraton Bolzano! Check in with the friendly 24-hour reception team, then head up to your spacious room. Open the door to find crisp air conditioning, free WiFi, plush bedding, bath amenities, and much more.
Once you're all settled, unpack your swimsuit and take a dip in the pool! Pamper yourself with a spa treatment at the wellness center, which boasts spectacular views from the 7th floor. Work all your stresses away in the fitness center, then treat yourself to a delicious meal at The Restaurant Patio & Bistro.
Typical Dinner in Bolzano Restaurant
Enjoy an unforgettable meal at Hopfen restaurant, located on the lively Piazza Erbe in the heart of Bolzano! Take in the rustic, cozy ambiance of the restaurant, and savor the flavors of Northern Italy.
Your meal includes:
- Antipasto of your choice
- Mixed platter with several typical delicacies
- Dessert of your choice
- Beer brewed on-site! (One per person)
Day 5. Bolzano
Today may be the perfect day for your cheese tasting tour! Visit a renowned cheese shop Degust, founded by Michelin-starred chef Hansi Baumgartner, and savor the flavors of exquisite cheeses! During the your, you'll enjoy three plates of selected cheese, grissini bread, Tyrolean rye, mustards, and more.
After your tour and tasting, feel free to visit the gorgeous city of Bressanone, located just south of Degust.
Degust Cheese Tasting Tour
Degust cheese shop was founded by Michelin-starred chef Hansi Baumgartner in 1994. On this exciting tour, you will indulge in the flavors of South Tyrol during a delicious tasting! Enjoy 3 plates of carefully selected cheese, accompanied by grissini bread, Tyrolean rye, breadfruit mustards, and more.
Day 6. Bolzano
Fuel up with a delicious breakfast, then enjoy a half-day private tour of Bolzano. Walk through the famous Lauben (arches), admire the dome of Piazza Walther, and listen to fascinating history as you stroll through the city's main landmarks.
Half-Day Private Tour of Bolzano
Bolzano is a clear reflection of a place where different cultures meet and intercultural exchange takes place. In art, for example, paintings by Giotto and works by the Gothic school coexist, while in architecture, the unusual contrast between the historic town and the modern one, divided by the Talvera River, is quite obvious.
Your dedicated guide will show you around the center of Bolzano: you will walk through the famous Lauben (arches), admire the dome on Piazza Walter, you will visit the main landmarks and attractions, stroll on the promenade. Based on your interests, your guide will try to adapt the tour to satisfy your curiosity.
Day 7. Bolzano - Milan
Wave goodbye to South Tyrol and head to Milan! "Ooh" and "ahh" your way south as you enjoy this beautiful 4-hour drive - and feel free to stop along the way!
Upon arrival in Milan, check-in to your hotel and make the most of your very last night in Italy! Treat yourself to a celebratory final dinner, do some shopping in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and take incredible photos in-front of Milan Cathedral.
Step into comfort and luxury at this elegant hotel located in the middle of magnificent Milan. Walking around the lobby, you'll notice rich colors, fine upholstery, and beautiful Italian artwork. Head up to your room where you'll find air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a marble bathroom, flat-screen TV, and much more.
Work all your stresses away in the fitness center or unwind with a glass of wine at the hotel bar. When you work up an appetite, treat yourself to a delicious meal at the hotel's classy on-site restaurant.
Ready to see the city? Milan's main historic sights such as Milan Cathedral and La Scala are just 10 minutes away, by tramway.
Step into posh sophistication at this artsy hotel, located in a beautiful neighborhood near Milano Centrale train station. Throughout the hotel, you'll notice interesting sculptures and breathtaking paintings - all made by Milanese artists! Head up to your room and open the door to contemporary decor, plush beds, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and much more. If you forget something, kindly inquire at the front desk - they even have chargers and electric adapters for guests' use!
Unpack your running shoes and head to the fitness center, or enjoy stunning views on the rooftop terrace. When you work up an appetite, treat yourself to a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant. After dinner, spend the evening sipping cocktails at the bar, or enjoy the cool breeze out on the patio.
Day 8. Depart Italy
It's time to say arrivederci to Italy. Pack your bags, drop off your rental car, and enjoy a relaxing journey home. Spend your flight dreaming about your next adventure!