Make it moving: A thrilling road trip itinerary for Northern Italy

Now it’s time to build your Northern Italy road trip itinerary. There’s no set way to do this trip. You can choose to do it back to front, do half or adjust it to suit your ideal timeframe. 

What you’ll read below is a suggested itinerary. If you like the sound of it, call our expert personal travel managers who will shape it to perfection.

Ready, set, go. 

Land in Rome and get ready to start your epic Northern Italy road trip. First, before you pick up your ride, don’t miss your chance to explore some of the city’s key highlights. 

We suggest taking the day to see top sites such as the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World which once held gladiator fights and over 50,000 spectators in its heyday. 

If you land early in the morning, you could head over to Vatican City and be treated to a VIP breakfast and early access to the Vatican Museum. 

You’ll have iconic sites such as St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with its frescoes by Michelangelo. This could also be saved for the next day before you set off on your four wheels. 

Don’t leave Rome without tucking into spaghetti carbonara and tiramisu. These two dishes are traditional Roman specialties and are both utterly delightful. 

Where to stay: Hotel de la Ville 

From its glorious vantage point atop the Spanish Steps, Hotel de la Ville welcomes its guests with panoramic views across Rome. The 18th century palazzo has rooftop drinking, outdoor bistro and a Sicilian-inspired spa. 

It’s time to hit the open road to the Tuscan city, Siena. Your fastest route is via the A1/E35 which should take you just over two and a half hours of non-stop driving. 

If you do feel like taking a breather, pause in Orvieto Old Town for lunch. The small city sits on top of a rock cliff in Umbria and is known for its ancient ‘honeycomb-like’ underground passages. 

After you’ve been suitably refuelled, drive the final leg to Siena, where you’ll stay the night. We recommend laying your head at Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel in the countryside. 

Spend the remainder of your day and the next morning exploring Siena’s medieval architecture including Torre del Mangia, a red brick tower with unrivalled views from the top. The tower sits within Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most impressive medieval squares. 

Don’t forget to swing by the medieval Duomo di Siena with its ornate architecture inside and out.

Your next leg of driving is less than an hour and twenty minutes up to Florence, the capital of Tuscany. 

Prepare to be dazzled by the wealth of Renaissance art and architecture around every corner. It’s no wonder the city centre is a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site. You certainly can’t see it all in a day so feel free to add a bit more time to your stay here. 

An unmissable attraction includes the Duomo. It’s iconic terracotta-tiled dome towers over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of the city. 

Make sure you pay your respects to Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell'Accademia and see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus painting in the Uffizi Gallery. 

As for where to eat, dine at La Bottega del Buon Caffè, a Michelin-starred restaurant celebrating earthy, farm-to-table dishes.

Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

The glamour of Renaissance Italy awaits you at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. Spread between the 15th century Palazzo della Gheradesca and the newly renovated La Villa, you’re immersed in luxury, history and authentic Italian lifestyle. 

Once you’re ready to hop back in the car again, it’s just over an hour and thirty minutes north to Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna. 

The region is widely regarded as the culinary heart of Italy, which is certainly saying something! Fantastic food that originates here includes parmigiano reggiano, Parma ham, tortellini, balsamic vinegar and, of course, bolognese sauce. 

After you’ve arrived in the terracotta city, dedicate the rest of the day to food. We recommend treating yourself to a private wine tasting with parmesan and Parma ham nibbles. 

You could also arrange for us to book you a private tour of a balsamic vinegar estate. Unlike the sharp-tasting stuff you get in the supermarket, traditional balsamic vinegar is thick, sweet and takes a minimum of twelve years to mature. 

In the evening, do a private cooking class and make fresh tortellini pasta. If you come across Bologna’s famous bolognese sauce, avoid eating it with spaghetti. The hearty ragù is much better served with tagliatelle!

It’s time to leave Central Italy and make for the coast, aka Venice. The drive is just under two hours, however, you may want to pause in Ferrara, one of the most culturally important cities in the Italian Renaissance. It’s an excellent stop for lunch. 

 Once you make it to Venice, park the car and explore the city’s labyrinth of canals and waterways. The best way to do this? By gondola of course!

Look out for top photogenic sites including the Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal. For more top tips, read our Rome vs Venice holiday comparison. 

Where to stay: San Clemente Palace Kempinski

Experience the luxe life on San Clemente, a private Venetian island just 10 minutes from San Marco. Here, you enjoy tranquility with the stunning city of Venice as your backdrop. 

The best bit? The hotel is only reachable by water taxi. Plus, with valet parking for your ride, you’ll feel like a Hollywood star. 

The next section of this Northern Italy road trip is back inland to “Fair Verona” as William Shakespeare called it in his famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. 

We can’t say whether you’ll meet any star-crossed lovers once you arrive, but you can visit Juliet’s House, a 14th-century residence with a balcony overlooking a courtyard. 

The city is also home to the Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre built in 30 AD. This makes it older than Rome’s Colosseum! 

One of the world’s best-preserved structures of this kind, it’s still in use today for concerts and performances. Other notable attractions include Piazza delle Erbe and Ponte Scaligero. 

As for dinner, check out the Michelin guide to restaurants in Verona. Out of 47 recommended restaurants, at least eight of them have one Michelin star. 

Where to stay: Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistá

This luxury hotel allows you to stay among an impressive permanent exhibition of contemporary art. 

The exterior has the appearance of a 16th century Italian villa. Inside? It’s a feast for the eyes bursting with unique and eclectic furnishings. 

You deserve some time to relax in nature after all your city sightseeing. We’ve got just the place for you. Less than an hour’s drive from Verona is the elegant resort town of Sirmione located on a thin strip of land that juts out into Lake Garda. 

Attracting holidaymakers for centuries, Sirmione is one of the most beautiful places to visit on the lake. Here, you can explore the 13th century fortress, Castello Scaligero di Sirmione, wander around the pretty Old Town or cruise around the lake. 

For complete peace and privacy, check out our recommended place to stay below. Your luxury lakeside retreat awaits. 

Where to stay: Villa Cortine Palace Hotel

Your restful stop on the banks of Lake Garda is Villa Cortine Palace Hotel. This glamorous five-star resides among five-hectares of parkland and has its own private access to the lake. Complete and utter bliss. 

The final leg of this Northern Italy road is perhaps one of the longest you’ll do with around two hours of driving. However, you’ll be well rewarded with an arrival into Milan, the global hub of fashion and design. We also recommend breaking the journey up with a lunch stop in Bergamo. 

Once you reach Milan, drop off your supercar (that may be the hardest part!) and celebrate a road trip well done with shopping, wining and dining. 

Prada and Dolce & Gabbana were both founded in Milan so picking up a few mementos from them are a must here. You can also find other big name fashion houses such as Bulgari and Armani. 

Head to Quadrilatero d’Oro and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for all your luxury shopping needs. The latter is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world!

Where to stay: Palazzo Parigi Milano

This gorgeous five-star hotel is set within the heart of Milan’s fashion district and what a place to end your Italian road trip! A sweeping marble staircase, beautiful modern rooms and an exquisite spa make it a must-visit.