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The Good Life in Northern Italy
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Fly into: Milan
Fly out of: Milan
Total Duration: 10 Days
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:
Days 1-2
Ann Forcier/Fodors.com member
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
Days 3-5
silvano audisio/shutterstock
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
Days 6-8
Kelli Glaser/Fodors.com
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
Days 9-10
Merrill Albert/Fodors.com member
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.
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