Northern Italy Itinerary 12 Days: Piedmont, Tuscany, Lake Maggiore

Welcome to diverse Northern Italy, a region where every bend in the road reveals a new landscape: shimmering lakes, rolling vineyards, jagged Alpine peaks, and medieval villages. Here, food and wine are not just meals but a way of life. Sip espresso in a piazza bar, meet pasta-making families, and sample wines straight from the vineyard.

This 12-day Northern Italy itinerary takes you from Piedmont’s truffles and Barolo wines, across the hills of Tuscany, into the cultural heart of Veneto, and ends peacefully at Lake Maggiore. Along the way you’ll stay in atmospheric hotels on the foothills of the Alps, among Tuscan vineyards, and on the shores of the Italian lakes.

Highlights

Taste regional Italian delicacies — truffles, Barolo, pesto, risotto, cantuccini
Learn the art of wine & food pairing in family-run wineries
Explore medieval towns like Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, and Verona
Marvel at natural beauty from Lake Maggiore to the Tuscan hills and the peaks of Piedmont

Day 1: Milan → Piedmont

Arrive in Milan, pick up your car, and head straight to Piedmont. Your base is Barge, a charming village at the foot of Montebracco in the Infernotto Valley. Over 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci praised the beauty of this very landscape, with views stretching over the Cuneo plateau to the Monviso mountains.

Accommodation: Alter Hotel / Tenuta La Cascinetta

Days 2–3: Piedmont

Your first days are all about Piedmont’s culinary and cultural treasures. This region is a paradise for gourmets: Barolo and Barbaresco wines, white truffles, hazelnuts, pumpkin, cheeses, and hand-made pasta.

Suggested visits:

Pian del Re & Parco del Monviso — where the River Po has its source beneath the high mountains bordering France.
Abbazia di Staffarda — a peaceful medieval abbey.
Saluzzo — wander its old center, climb the Civic Tower for sweeping views, and admire Renaissance villas.
Alba — once dotted with 100 towers, today famous for its truffles (tartufi bianchi) and gourmet shops.
Wine tastings — scenic roads between Alba and Barolo are lined with small wineries. Stop for a tasting and meet the winemakers.
Turin & La Reggia di Venaria — a royal palace of the Savoy family, surrounded by baroque gardens.

Visiting in October? Don’t miss the Alba Truffle Festival. The celebration of “white gold” begins with a medieval donkey race, where donkeys often wander off course, leaving their riders to finish the race on foot a tradition full of humor and charm.

Accommodation: Alter Hotel / Tenuta La Cascinetta

Day 4: Piedmont → Tuscany (via Liguria)

Today is a traveling day, but the journey is just as memorable as the destination. Drive via the Ligurian coast, with stops like:

Cinque Terre — hike between the five colorful seaside villages on the UNESCO list.
Portofino — a chic harbor town.
Sestri Levante — quieter, with sandy bays and pastel streets.

Lunch tip: try pasta al pesto, Liguria’s pride. Continue inland to Tuscany.

Accommodation: Buonamico Wine Resort / Hotel Villa delle Rose

Days 5–7: Tuscany

It’s easy to fall in love with Tuscany, rolling hills, world-class art, medieval towns, and unforgettable cuisine.

Choices for your days here:

Florence — the cradle of the Renaissance, with masterpieces in the Uffizi and the iconic Duomo.
Montecatini & Pistoia — authentic towns with lively piazzas and less tourist traffic.
Prato — known for cantuccini, almond biscuits perfect with dessert wine.
Volterra & San Gimignano — Etruscan ruins and the “town of towers.”
Collodi — birthplace of Pinocchio, with a whimsical park.
Pisa & Lucca — climb the Leaning Tower, then taste Lucca’s olive oils and sweet buccellato bread.
Artisan pasta in Lari — at the Martelli family factory, where four types of pasta are still produced by hand.
Siena & Fattoria La Vialla — admire Siena’s Gothic splendor, then sample organic wine, olive oil, cheese, and bread at this farm estate.

Evenings bring feasts of Chianti wines, ribollita soup, and bistecca Fiorentina.

Accommodation: Buonamico Wine Resort / Hotel Villa delle Rose

Day 8: Tuscany → Veneto (via Emilia Romagna)

Travel northeast through Emilia Romagna, often considered Italy’s food capital.

Bologna — birthplace of tortellini, lasagna, and tagliatelle al ragù (pasta Bolognese).
Maranello — visit the Ferrari Museum.
Verona — stroll Juliet’s balcony, Roman amphitheater, and elegant piazzas.

Arrive in Veneto in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Tacchi / Hotel Relais Villa Corner della Regina

Days 9–10: Veneto

The Veneto region is both a cultural powerhouse and a place of natural beauty.

Suggested day tour:

Vicenza — Palladio’s palaces (UNESCO), plus local dishes like bigoli pasta and baccalà.
Thiene & Marostica — castles and the quirky tradition of the living chess game.
Bassano del Grappa — sample its famous spirit, cross the historic bridge, and admire pottery traditions.
Padua — a bustling university city with Giotto frescoes and a Byzantine basilica.
Venice — timeless canals and gondolas. If time allows, ferry to Burano, famous for lace and colorful houses.
Colli Euganei Hills — rolling vineyards and quiet hiking trails, away from the crowds.

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Tacchi / Hotel Relais Villa Corner della Regina

Day 11: Lake Maggiore

Drive west for a relaxing finale at Lake Maggiore.

Visit Isola Bella, with its baroque palace and gardens.
Stroll the botanical wonders of Villa Taranto.
Explore Santa Caterina del Sasso Monastery, perched on cliffs above the water.
Ride the funicular up Laveno for breathtaking views of the lake and Alps.

Pair the scenery with local Ossolano d’Alpe cheese, Gorgonzola, and a glass of Nebbiolo.

Accommodation: Hotel Bel-Sit / Blue Relais Maggiore

Day 12: Departure

Enjoy a final lakeside breakfast before returning to Milan for your flight home.

Why This Itinerary Works

This 12-day Northern Italy itinerary blends iconic highlights with hidden gems. From truffle festivals and artisan pasta workshops to quiet abbeys and lively piazzas, every stop is designed for authentic connection. You’ll leave not just with photos, but with stories, flavors, and memories that feel uniquely Italian.