This blog is a unique travel guide that I have created from first hand experience traveling Northern Italy.
Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy (3 nights)
In order to truly experience Milan, you need to stay a minimum of 3 nights. From the Arco della Pace to the great Duomo di Milano, there’s so much to see and experience.
While in Milan we made the mistake of only staying 1 night in this precious city… I would have loved for someone to have given me advice and tell me that it would have been a bad idea to plan it that way. This city has many landmarks and we only got to see less than a handful. Despite this, I’ll share how we spent our one night out in Milan.
Sightseeing
Since we arrived in Milan later in the evening, we decided to go to Sempione Park to watch the sunset and visit the famous Arco della Pace. Within the park, there are outside restaurants and bars for you to stop in for some aperitivo. If you start at the Arco della Pace then you will most likely end at the Sforzesco Castle. This grand castle is open 7 days a week from 9am-7:30pm. Sadly, by the time we arrived at the castle it was closed, but the outside view was still incredible.
To end our night in Milan we ended up going to a cozy bar called ‘Flow Milano’. Here I ordered a drink known as Blue Monday and it was absolutely delicious. The bar was able to call us a taxi back to our place which was extremely helpful since Ubers aren’t very convenient in Italy. Our night out was definitely one for the books!
Lake Como
Como, Italy (2-4 nights)
We spent our first day exploring all that Como had to offer. Although we were only there for 2 nights, we could’ve easily stayed for four. There is so much to see around this area! Our hostel (Ostello Bello) was located just 8 minutes by walking and 2 minutes by taxi from the train station. We picked up a pamphlet at the front desk and took off to seize the day. From walking by historical sites such as the Cathedral of Como to having our first pasta in Italy, we saw Como in its entirety.
Bellagio, italy (day trip)
How to get There
From Como, there is a ferry that will take you to multiple different towns that are alongside the lake. The ferry is a perfect way to explore much more of the lovely land surrounding Lake Como. You can take the ferry from Como to Bellagio as well as other towns nearby! The ride is about 45 minutes to 1 hour (fast boat) or 2-3 hours (slow boat). I highly recommend getting the fast ticket, it’s about 14 euros each way. You won’t regret visiting this ‘hidden’ gem of a town.
Sightseeing
While we were here, we explored this piece of land by walking. Next to where the ferries docks, there are multiple restaurants and gelato! Just up the stairs, towards the very top, there’s a wine room called Aperitivo Et Al. The wine room was fantastic; there were several different kinds of wine to choose from and the staff was happy to help out and let us know their recommendations. While sipping on the glass of wine, they brought out appetizers for us to munch on. Such sweet people and such good wine!
Cinque Terre
La Spezia (2-3 nights)
After searching multiple online forums to find the most popular and accessible place to stay in Cinque Terre, I found la Spezia. There’s a train station here that’s connected to other larger cities in Italy; overall, it’s very convenient. In la Spezia, the night time streets are filled with families in search of food, music, and drinks! During the day, people are shopping, hanging out, and several are grabbing an early morning (or afternoon) caffΓ¨! This is truly the best place to stay if you are hoping to explore the cities that make up Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is made up of five towns! (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) If you have time make sure to explore all of them.
Vernazza
This small town is magical. From the second the train exits the tunnel to the stunning view across the water… This place was for sure a highlight from my trip. Although the beach is available, I wouldn’t recommend it since it’s tiny and can easily crowd. However, this small town is the perfect stop to grab some gelato and enjoy the sunset after a long day of exploring.
Monterosso (day trip)
On the train ride to this city, we were in awe at the amazing sites that we saw along the way. Monterosso has a large beach, and for that reason it’s the most popular beach town out of the five. While here, my friend and I decided to grab some food at a restaurant called Tosca Bistrot. The pesto pasta was so yummy and definitely worth the calories. Afterwards, we decided to rent some beach chairs (25 euros each) and sat basking in the sun. They rent towels along the beach but if you bring one, you’ll save yourself a few euros!
Bologna
Bologna (2 Nights)
Known for its rich foods and ancient architecture, Bologna also happens to be filled with many students since there is a university located within the city. This makes for a lively nightlife as well as a hotspot for young adults. However, no matter your age, you’ll find this city stunning.
MADONNA DI SAN LUCA
This sacred church opened in 1765. To get here, you either have to hike uphill (around 500 steps to the top) or you can hire a taxi to take you up. To go inside the church, you have to pay a small fee (around 10 euros, but students get a discount!) While inside, take the opportunity to go up the spiral staircase to the right of the entrance doors (it’s about a 2 minute walk up the stairs) and when you get to the top, step outside to see a breathtaking view of Bologna.
I will mention that the spiral staircase to reach the top of the church is quite tight and narrow, so if you have claustrophobia I wouldn't recommend you do it!
Piazzo santo stefano
Surrounding this plaza, there are multiple shopping centers, outlets, food and music. People gather here to meet up with one another and enjoy their day. There are some name brand stores here as well as local boutiques; it’s perfect if you want to experience authenticity as well as shop in stores you’re familiar with.
Venice
Venice (2-3 nights)
This city was absolutely wondrous. To get around, people have to travel by boats, canoes, and basically anything else that floats! Many bridges are scattered throughout the city in efforts to connect the sections of land. The only downside is that in order to reach your hotel, you might have to haul your luggage and heavy backpacks up multiple flights of stairs… speaking from first-hand experience.
Sightseeing (Venice at Night)
Upon arriving in Venice, we grabbed some drinks at the Top of the Carlton Sky Lounge. The view from the lounge was one that will never be forgotten. It overlooks the canal and is the perfect place for people watching. After drinking Spritz and munching on appetizers, we grabbed some ice-cream sticks from Magnum Store Pleasure. The rest of the night was spent wandering the streets of Venice and talking with strangers.
Sightseeing (venice in the day)
The following day we saw all Venice had to offer. We explored historical sites such as Rialto Bridge & Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, ate delicious foods at places like Trattoria Pizzeria Pan E Vin, and took a private gondola ride through the canals. This precious city is filled with tourists, travelers, locals and beauty.
[…] As soon as we got dropped off at the hostel, we began to plan the day… Since this was our first destination for backpacking around Europe, we were so anxious to explore that we didn’t mind running on two hours of sleep! Read more about our backpacking adventures here https://runawayjuliet.com/?p=245 […]