How to Spend a Week in Northern Italy

Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy. Photo by Matteo Raimondi on Unsplash

If you’re thinking of taking a vacation to Europe but only have a limited time, you’ll want to plan ahead to be able to make the most of your trip. Italy is a beautiful country rich in history and culture and certainly has no shortage of cities worth seeing. Here are our suggestions for how to spend seven days in Bel Paese.

Start in Milan

As Milan is one of the northernmost cities in Italy and is the home to an international airport, it makes sense to plan it as your starting point. Spend a day or two in the city and check out the Duomo di Milano Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for some of the world’s best shopping.

Stop in Verona

Most known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a quaint and picturesque town just over an hour from Milan by train. The city is home to a 1st-century Roman Amphitheater where events are still often hosted. A statue of Juliet located outside what is rumored to have been her family’s house is also worth a visit. Touching it is believed to bring the visitor luck!

Head to Venice

One hour from Verona by train, Venice is a port city on Italy’s eastern coast. While it is full of unique shops and restaurants, Venice isn’t very big and can definitely be explored and enjoyed for much of what it has to offer in one or two days. Be sure to check out some of the blown glass shops, which the city is known for.

End in Florence

Wrap up your trip with a few days in Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. From here you can take daily tours of local vineyards in the countryside, or if you prefer to stay in the city, be sure to visit the Duomo or some of the many art galleries.