Itinerary for Italy

Month-Long Italian Adventure Itinerary

Here’s an exciting and well-rounded itinerary for a month-long journey through Italy, complete with recommendations for hotels, restaurants, shopping, and unique experiences.

Week 1: Northern Italy (Milan, Turin, Lake Como, Verona)

Day 1-2: Milan

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Hotel Principe di Savoia
  • Mid-range: Hotel Spadari al Duomo
  • Budget: Ostello Bello Milan
• Eat:
  • Breakfast: Pasticceria Marchesi – Start your day with exquisite pastries.
  • Lunch: Nobu Milano – Savor innovative Japanese-Italian dishes.
  • Dinner: Trattoria Milanese – Enjoy traditional Milanese cuisine.
• Shop:
  • High-end fashion at Quadrilatero della Moda
  • Local souvenirs at Corso Como 10
• Unique Experience:
  • Tour Fondazione Prada, a modern art gallery.

Day 3-4: Turin

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Principi di Piemonte
  • Mid-range: NH Torino Santo Stefano
  • Budget: Tomato Backpackers Hotel
• Eat:
  • Breakfast: Caffè Torino – A historic cafe in the heart of the city.
  • Lunch: Eataly Torino – Explore a variety of gourmet foods.
  • Dinner: Ristorante Consorzio – Experience local dishes with a modern twist.
• Shop:
  • Gourmet chocolates at Guido Gobino
  • Antiques at Balôn Market (Saturdays)
• Unique Experience:
  • Sample bicerin, Turin's iconic chocolate-coffee drink.

Day 5: Lake Como

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
  • Mid-range: Hotel Metropole Suisse
  • Budget: Ostello Bello Lake Como
• Eat:
  • Lunch: Ristorante Bilacus (Bellagio) – Delight in lakeside dining.
  • Dinner: La Darsena (Tremezzo) – Savor local flavors.
• Shop:
  • Local silk scarves in Como town.
• Unique Experience:
  • Take a private boat ride on the lake.

Day 6: Verona

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Due Torri Hotel
  • Mid-range: Hotel Accademia
  • Budget: StraVagante Hostel
• Eat:
  • Lunch: Trattoria al Pompiere – A cozy spot for local specialties.
  • Dinner: Antica Bottega del Vino – Indulge in traditional Veronese cuisine.
• Shop:
  • Leather goods and jewelry at Piazza delle Erbe.
• Unique Experience:
  • Watch an opera at Arena di Verona (seasonal).

Week 2: Venice and Florence

Day 7-8: Venice

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Gritti Palace
  • Mid-range: Hotel Antiche Figure
  • Budget: Combo Venezia Hostel
• Eat:
  • Lunch: Trattoria al Gatto Nero (Burano) – Feast on seafood in picturesque Burano.
  • Dinner: Osteria alle Testiere – Sample Venetian seafood dishes.
• Shop:
  • Hand-blown glass in Murano
  • Lace in Burano
• Unique Experience:
  • Attend a mask-making workshop.

Day 9-11: Florence

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Florence
  • Mid-range: Hotel Brunelleschi
  • Budget: Hostel Archi Rossi
• Eat:
  • Breakfast: Caffè Gilli – Renowned for its pastries and coffee.
  • Lunch: Mercato Centrale – Experience a vibrant food market.
  • Dinner: Trattoria Mario – Enjoy traditional Tuscan fare.
• Shop:
  • Leather goods at Santa Croce
  • Jewelry at Ponte Vecchio
• Unique Experience:
  • Take a Florentine cooking class.

Week 3: Tuscany and Central Italy

Day 12-15: Tuscany

• Stay: Agriturismo accommodations in the Chianti region or Siena.
• Eat:
  • Try wine tastings at Castello di Verrazzano.
  • Dinner at Osteria di Passignano (Chianti) – A classic Tuscan dining experience.
• Shop:
  • Wine from local vineyards.
• Unique Experience:
  • Hot air balloon ride over Tuscany.

Day 16: Assisi

• Stay: Hotel Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum
• Eat:
  • Dinner: Trattoria Pallotta – Enjoy local Umbria dishes.
• Unique Experience:
  • Attend a Gregorian chant service at the Basilica of Saint Francis.

Week 4: Rome, Naples, and Amalfi Coast

Day 17-20: Rome

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Hotel Eden
  • Mid-range: Hotel Artemide
  • Budget: The Beehive
• Eat:
  • Lunch: Roscioli – Famous for its deli and Italian cuisine.
  • Dinner: Hostaria Romana – Traditional Roman dishes in a lively atmosphere.
• Shop:
  • Fashion at Via del Corso
  • Souvenirs at Campo de' Fiori
• Unique Experience:
  • Explore the Catacombs of San Sebastiano.

Day 21-23: Naples and Pompeii

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Romeo Hotel
  • Mid-range: Hotel Piazza Bellini
  • Budget: La Controra Hostel
• Eat:
  • Pizza: L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele – Experience Naples’ cult favorite.
  • Seafood: Ristorante Mimì alla Ferrovia – A renowned seafood restaurant.
• Shop:
  • Handmade nativity scenes in Via San Gregorio Armeno.
• Unique Experience:
  • Private guided tour of Pompeii.

Day 24-26: Amalfi Coast

• Stay:
  • Luxury: Le Sirenuse (Positano)
  • Mid-range: Hotel Marina Riviera (Amalfi)
  • Budget: La Casa di Peppe (Positano)
• Eat:
  • Lemon-based dishes at Ristorante Savo (Ravello).
• Shop:
  • Handmade ceramics in Vietri sul Mare.
• Unique Experience:
  • Boat tour to Blue Grotto on Capri.

Day 27-29: Sicily

• Stay:
  • Palermo: Grand Hotel Wagner
  • Taormina: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
• Eat:
  • Dinner at Antica Focacceria San Francesco (Palermo) – Iconic Sicilian street food.
• Unique Experience:
  • Hike Mount Etna with a guide.

Day 30: Departure

• Relax and take in any last-minute sights or shopping before departing.

This carefully curated itinerary offers a blend of culture, gastronomy, shopping, and unforgettable experiences throughout Italy, ensuring a memorable journey through this stunning country. Enjoy your travels!