Fodor's To Europe!
The Good Life in Northern Italy
Back to European itinerary browser »No one has mastered the art of living well as successfully as the Italians. This itinerary highlights locales in northern Italy that are dedicated to pleasure, from a luxurious lakeside getaway to gorgeous wine country to a cliff-lined seacoast. The trip is proof that you can have a wonderful Italian vacation without seeing one Renaissance masterpiece or setting foot in a cathedral—though there are plenty of opportunities to do both if you want to.
- Art and Culture
- Food and Wine
- Natural Beauty
- Shopping
This Trip's Top Experiences:
1 Lake Como
Villa gardens reflected in the azure of a glacial lake
- Ferry to pristine villages nestled along the lakeshore to visit lush gardens and elegant villas
- Learn about silk production from the area that produces almost three quarters of Europe's supply
- If you're feeling energetic, swim, hike, or even wind surf in Europe's deepest lake
2 The Monferrato and the Langhe
Wine and dine
- This is wine country: the gently rolling landscape produces some of Italy's most noble reds and delectable sparkling wines, as well as the highly prized white truffle
- Visit Asti, city of 100 towers
- Hike the hillsides amid beautiful, age-old vineyards
3 The Cinque Terre
Five remote fishing villages
- Whether relaxing at a café, hiking in the hills, or lounging on a beach, you'll never be far from a gorgeous Mediterranean view
- Compare and contrast the five villages, each more charming than the last, that make up the Cinque Terre
- Sample pesto Genovese in the land where it was born, along with the freshest of fish and the wines produced to accompany them
4 Milan
Back to the present in style
- Visit world-famous designer boutiques in their hometowns, or search for bargains at nearby outlets
- Experience the opera at the legendary La Scala, or simply tour its celebrated museum
- A rich and varied collection of art and museums means there's something for everyone, from Leonardo's Last Supper to the Triennale, celebrating contemporary design.