Northern Italy tour packages

Northern Italy is home to around a quarter of the Alps mountain range and spans 8 regions. From west to east, these are: Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

This part of the country also borders 4 other European nations – Austria, France, Slovenia and Switzerland – which brings plenty of cultural diversity to the region.

Head south, and you’ll notice how the landscape changes. The towering Italian Alps give way to vineyards, rolling hills and lakes, such as Como and Garda. You’ll also find Italian cities like Milan, Venice and Verona in this region.

Absolutely! Thanks to its incredible food, welcoming locals and rich culture, Italy is one of the most-visited countries in Europe. Head to Northern Italy and experience all of this while also marvelling at spectacular Alpine scenery.

When it comes to culture, the region is a treasure trove of fascinating history and world-renowned art. For instance, you could glimpse Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural portraying the Last Supper in Milan. Or visit the historic centre of Verona, which was the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Meanwhile, nature lovers can prepare to be blown away by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and the rugged beauty of the Dolomites. Not to mention the shimmering waters of the Italian lake district, where you’ll find Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore.

If you’re a wine aficionado, don’t miss the Lombardy and Piedmont regions. Here, you can tour and enjoy tastings at world-class vineyards. And, of course, there are delicious dishes and local specialities to try everywhere you go – this is Italy, after all.

What’s more, Northern Italy blends Italian charm with influences from nearby Switzerland, Austria, and France. So, whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, you can expect an extraordinary getaway.

Northern Italy is packed with some of the country’s most famous destinations, along with plenty of lesser-known spots you won’t want to miss. These are just some of the most amazing places to go in the region:

Must-see cities
•  Milan
•  Venice
•  Verona
•  Como

Charming lakeside towns
•  Bellagio
•  Menaggio
•  Varenna
•  Bardolino
•  Malcesine
•  Riva del Garda
•  Desenzano del Garda

Top regions for nature lovers
•  South Tyrol
•  Lombardy
•  Aosta Valley

Check out this round-up of the best places to visit in Northern Italy for more inspiration. And if you’re tempted to venture further, explore all our Italy tours to see what awaits in Rome, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and beyond.

May to October is the best time of year for sightseeing and road trips in Northern Italy and the Alps.

Travel during spring, summer, and autumn to enjoy plenty of daylight, which is perfect for soaking up the stunning scenery. Plus, the warm temperatures are ideal for spending time outdoors. As well as being great for hiking and lake swimming, summer is best for dining al fresco, visiting castles and meandering around medieval cities.

There are also year-round activities here, such as riding cable cars and mountain railways. That said, the winter months of November to April bring cold weather and snow to Northern Italy and the Alps. While this is amazing for snowsports, it can make driving challenging, and you’ll find that mountain roads are often closed.

Top tip: June, July, and August are the most popular months for visiting Northern Italy and the Alps. So, book well in advance if you’d like to travel at this time of year. Or if you want to see the sights when it’s not as hot, and there are slightly fewer visitors, we recommend travelling in May, September or October.

Choose your season with our guide to the best time to visit Italy.

The best way to explore Northern Italy depends on the type of travel experience you’re looking for.

For the freedom to go at your own pace and stop whenever you like along the way, a Northern Italy road trip is perfect. But instead of trying to find and book a hotel that’s well-reviewed in each destination, leave the planning to us.

Travel with us, and a dedicated travel consultant will book your accommodation for you. Whether you go for Comfort Plus or upgrade to Superior, you can expect top-quality places to stay. Think peaceful lakeside properties, welcoming family-run hotels and city centre hideaways.

Your travel consultant will also organise your car hire with a trusted local partner. And you’ll get a road map hand-marked with recommended attractions and the most scenic route to take. Plus, if you need support during your trip, our 24/7 helpline means assistance is just a phone call away.

It’s also worth knowing that, depending on your chosen itinerary, you might not need to drive every day. For instance, boat trips are an excellent way to visit towns and cities on the shores of Lake Garda and Lake Como. You could also use Italy’s extensive rail network for day trips to destinations like Verona and Venice, which have large, centrally located train stations.

If you’d prefer to explore with a knowledgeable guide, check out our small group tours of the Alps. These guided tours don’t include Northern Italy yet, but watch this space!

The length of time you should spend in Northern Italy will depend on the pace you like to travel and what you want to see during your trip.

If you plan to visit other Alpine countries alongside Northern Italy, we recommend at least 7–10 days. This will give you a taste of the region, as well as neighbouring nations like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. But it’s worth bearing in mind that this length of trip could feel fast-paced if you have a packed travel wish list.

If you’re after something more leisurely with 2 or more nights at each stop, then 2–3 weeks is best for your multi-country adventure. This way, you’ll see top attractions while also giving yourself time to uncover hidden gems and delve deep into the local culture.

At Nordic Visitor, our travel experts have crafted a range of itineraries that include Northern Italy. Simply pick the tour length that works for you. Plus, you can tailor any of these trips by adding extra nights. Speak to your dedicated travel consultant about where to extend your stay based on your interests.

Book with Nordic Visitor and we’ll save you time and effort by planning your getaway for you.

If you organise your trip to Northern Italy yourself, you’ll need to do all the research and arrange each part of your tour. And if something comes up, you’d have to adjust your itinerary yourself.

With travel consultants based in Rome and the Alps, you can be sure you’re getting an authentic travel experience organised by local experts.

Our travel consultants have designed your itinerary to ensure you take the most convenient and scenic routes between stops. They’ll also book your accommodation and share their insider knowledge with you. And we’ll recommend top attractions and suggest hidden gems you might not know about.

What’s more, during your trip, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline. So, if something unexpected happens, you can reach us at any time.

Let us take care of everything on your behalf, so you’re free to relax and look forward to exploring Northern Italy.

These Northern Italy trips are designed to show you the best of the best. But we know everyone’s travel dreams are different, which is why we make it easy to tailor your tour. When you book online, you can pick your preferred type of rental car and choose from Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation.

You can also extend your trip by adding extra nights.You could add these at the beginning or end of your tour. Or, spend more time in places like Lake Garda if you want to go hiking or take day trips to Venice and Verona. And with plenty of things to see and do, Milan is another excellent option for extra nights.

Want to personalise it even more? Add experiences along the way. A private gondola gliding through Venice’s canals. Wine tasting in Lake Garda. Or skip past the queues on a guided tour of Milan’s iconic Duomo. These are the moments that turn a trip from great to unforgettable.

Yes! Our tours of Northern Italy and the Alps can begin on any day from May to October. For up-to-date availability, take a look at the online calendar of the trip you’re interested in and select the day that works for you.

We recommend checking what flights to Italy are available before booking your trip. That said, it’s best to hold off on buying tickets until your tour package is confirmed. Once your travel consultant has sent your trip confirmation, you can finalise your flights.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange private airport transfers, don't hesitate to contact your consultant for assistance.

What you’ll need to bring on your tour of Northern Italy depends on when you’re travelling and the activities you’d like to try.

For instance, if you’re visiting in the height of summer – July or August – it’s good to know that temperatures can be around 29°C (84°F). At this time of year, light layers and sandals are great for staying comfortable. We also recommend bringing swimwear and a travel towel if you plan to go lake swimming.

On the other hand, travel in autumn – late September to October – and you’ll have highs of about 19°C (67°F). This means you can still pack light clothes, but bring some warm layers for when the sun goes down.

If you’re hiking or visiting other Alpine countries, such as Switzerland, we recommend preparing for cooler temperatures and changeable mountain weather. Warm and waterproof layers are a must if you plan to ride mountain railways or take cable cars to higher altitudes.

These essentials will cover you for a range of activities during spring, summer and autumn in Northern Italy and the Alps:

• • Walking shoes or boots
• • Comfortable sandals
• • Sunglasses, sun hat and suncream
• • Short and long-sleeve shirts
• • Light trousers or shorts
• • Swimwear and travel towel
• • Waterproof jacket and trousers
• • Insulated jacket
• • Light trousers or shorts
• • Warm jumper or fleece
• • Scarf, hat and gloves
• • Day bag or rucksack
• • Reusable water bottle
• • Two-pin EU adaptor

Come evening, you’ll notice that the locals like to dress up and head out for an aperitivo before dinner. So, if you plan to dine out, you might want to pack some smart clothes and shoes.

Good to know: You must cover your shoulders and knees when visiting most cathedrals or churches in Italy. We recommend having a scarf in your day bag ready to drape over your shoulders during the summer.