Enjoy the La Dolce Vita in Italy - Part 1
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 11
Part 1 introduces you to the Northern regions of Italy such as Venice, The Dolomites, Verona, Bologna, Milano, Florence, Portofino and Cinque Terre.
Venice
A romantic, centuries-old lagoon city famed for its winding canals, historic architecture, and timeless Italian charm.
Suggested day trips and activities in Venice:
Spend 1-2 days wandering by foot in the city: Start from Piazza San Marco, then St Mark’s Basilica, Doges Palace, Campanile di San Marco, experience Gondola ride in the canal (~100-120EUR), visit the unique Librairie Acqua Alta. For the sweet tooth taste, don't forget to try the canoli and gelato in Venice!
Day trip to visit Murano and Burano, or Chioggia by the water buses.
Another day trip plan to spend a chill morning in Padova and romantic afternoon in Verona.
Dap trip to the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa.
Long day-trip to Bologna or Florence by speed train if your Italy trip is short-time. However, it's still best to spend longer time in these 2 cities.
The Dolomites (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Dolomites are a breathtaking mountain range in northern Italy, which located in the Italian regions of Veneto, Trentino-Alto/Südtirol, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
The below information are only for your reference to plan hiking trip to the Dolomites:
Where to base: Ortisei village in Val Gardena as it has good bus public transport to most of main point into the Dolomites if you don't have a car.
When to visit: From June to September.
How long should you stay: at least 3-4 nights.
Easy hiking routes with panoramic views: Seceda to Col Raiser Mountain Station (~1hour), Resciesa to Rifugio delle Odle (Cinema delle Odle) via Malga Brogles (~4-5hours), Hike the Sassolungo (Langkofel) Circuit Trail (~4-5hours)
Beautiful alpine lakes to visit: Lago di Braies, Lago di Carezza, Lago di Crespëina.
Verona
Within 1-2hours by train from Milano or Venice, you shouldn't miss to visit the Northern romantic city Verona where is famous for the love story Juliet and Romeo.
Suggested activities and day trip from Verona:
Spend one day to walk around the city: Verona Arena, Arche Scaligere tombs (only open in the summer), Church of Sant’Anastasia, Church of San Zeno, Juliet’s House (must book in advance), San Fermo Church, Verona Cathedral, Archeological Museum at the Roman Theatre, Castelvecchio Museum, Lamberti Tower.
1-day trip to visit Lake Garda (the Italian largest lake) together with Sirmione, Borghetto, Bardolino.
1-day trip to visit Vicenza (famous for its Renaissance landmarks) and Bologna (famous for their Bolognese pasta with other Italian delicious cuisine).
Milan
Milan or Milano is Italy’s dynamic fashion and design capital, where cutting-edge creativity meets grand historic landmarks in a fast-paced, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Suggested activities and day-trips from Milan:
Spend 1 day to visit iconic landmarks in the city: Piazza del Duomo and Duomo Terraces, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (famous shopping mall in Italy), La Scala Opera house, Braidense National Library, Sforzesco castle, Cenacolo Vinciano Museum (where you can see the famous painting The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci).
1-2 day trip to visit Lake Como with its famous beautiful small towns Bellagio, Bellano, Varenna, Tremezzina, Menaggio, Mandello del Lari.
Other day-trips to visit Milan nearby cities by train such as Bergamo, Turin and Brescia.
Florence
Florence (Firenze) is the artistic heart of Italy, where Renaissance masterpieces, elegant architecture, and timeless Tuscan charm create a city filled with culture and beauty.
Suggest activities and day trips from Florence:
10 things not to miss in Florence: visit Uffizi galery, Piazza della Signoria and Loggia dei Lanzi, San Lorenzo market, Brunelleschi's Dome, the Biblioteca delle Oblate, the iconic Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo area, Oltrarno area, and Santo Spirito spare area.
Self Day-trips from Florence by train: Sienna (~1.5hrs), Bologna (~50minutes), Ferrara (~1.5hrs), Pisa (~1hr), Lucca (~1.5hr).
Don't miss to visit the Tuscany area for its famous wine and gastronomy culture in Chianti, Val d’Orcia, San Gimignano, Volterra, Vinci & San Miniato (It's recommended to join a small group tour due to limited public transportation to visit these areas).
Portofino & Cinque Terre
If the Amalfi visit is over your budget, Portofino and Cinque Terre are great choices as the alternative options.
Portofino is a picturesque village on the Italian Riviera coastline and,
Cinque Terre is a rugged coastline on the Italian Riviera composed of five beautiful hillside villages; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The five villages are connected by hiking trails open all year round.
Where to stay to visit Portofino and Cinque Terre: Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo.
Means of transports: Portofino (Ferry), Cinque Terre (Train or Ferry).
Awaiting for Part 2
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