Northern Italy

[wadesworld]

Any recommendations for 2 weeks in Northern Italy (and Cinque Terre)? We have a rough itinerary (couple days in Milan, few days in Cinque Terre, couple days in Verona, a good chunk of days in the Dolomites, and ending with Lakes Como and Maggiore).

Any must does in those areas? Best hikes you've done in the Dolomites (I'd consider us intermediate hikers. We will have hiking polls and have done long hikes with good elevation gains in the Canadian and Montana Rockies, but don't really love hikes that involve significant scrambling and definitely not climbing)?

Restaurant recommendations? Lodging recommendations (or advice)?

In general, any good (or bad) experiences using With Locals or Get Your Guide?

Thanks in advance!

[Not all scoop users are created equal apparently]

Florence is worth two days food alone!

[dgies9156]

Florence is worth two days food alone!

ABSOLUTELY!!!

[Hards Alumni]

Any recommendations for 2 weeks in Northern Italy (and Cinque Terre)? We have a rough itinerary (couple days in Milan, few days in Cinque Terre, couple days in Verona, a good chunk of days in the Dolomites, and ending with Lakes Como and Maggiore).

Any must does in those areas? Best hikes you've done in the Dolomites (I'd consider us intermediate hikers. We will have hiking polls and have done long hikes with good elevation gains in the Canadian and Montana Rockies, but don't really love hikes that involve significant scrambling and definitely not climbing)?

Restaurant recommendations? Lodging recommendations (or advice)?

In general, any good (or bad) experiences using With Locals or Get Your Guide?

Thanks in advance!

Don't spend too much time in Milan.  We ran out of things to do after 3 days.  If you're going all the way to Verona, you'd be a fool to skip Venice.  The city is absolutely magical.

If you decide to go to Cinque Terra, consider staying in La Spezia and taking the train up.  It'll be cheaper, and there are plenty of really good restaurants in La Spezia.  We stayed here: https://thepoethotel.it/

Also, I'd second Florence but it seems like you're not headed that far south.

[pbiflyer]

Seems like a lot of stops. Lots of times spent traveling, packing, checking in and out of lodging.
Agree on the advice on Milan. Maybe even skip it for less stops.

[MuggsyB]

Seems like a lot of stops. Lots of times spent traveling, packing, checking in and out of lodging.
Agree on the advice on Milan. Maybe even skip it for less stops.

Yes.  I haven't been there for 15 yrs but I couldn't agree more about skipping Milan. 

[Hards Alumni]

Yes.  I haven't been there for 15 yrs but I couldn't agree more about skipping Milan.

Yeah, when we were there in 2019, we checked out the Cathedral, the cemetery, and the old Sforzesco Castle... which is an art museum.  The food was great as well as the idea of aperitivo... but I won't be returning for any of those things.

[cheebs09]

We did a sunset boat ride in Cinque Terra which was awesome. Had dolphins swimming right next to our boat.

I have never been to Milan, but when my wife planned our trip, she said I wasn't missing a whole lot. I would second Venice. It was by far my favorite place we visited.

[Not all scoop users are created equal apparently]

We did a sunset boat ride in Cinque Terra which was awesome. Had dolphins swimming right next to our boat.

I have never been to Milan, but when my wife planned our trip, she said I wasn't missing a whole lot. I would second Venice. It was by far my favorite place we visited.

Venice is really cool but a couple days were enough for me there

[Galway Eagle]

Would suggest hitting Genoa if you have time and Florence both were fantastic for food.

We did Airbnb in cinque terre for very cheap. Be warned for walking between town it's a hike and very hilly. Wife and I are decent hikers but after a couple glasses of wine and wearing sandals we were not prepared for that.

[Hards Alumni]

Would suggest hitting Genoa if you have time and Florence both were fantastic for food.

We did Airbnb in cinque terre for very cheap. Be warned for walking between town it's a hike and very hilly. Wife and I are decent hikers but after a couple glasses of wine and wearing sandals we were not prepared for that.

We got a bit of distance on the trail, but my wife became more and more terrified of the heights, and it is pretty strenuous.

[JWags85]

Venice is really cool but a couple days were enough for me there

Really depends on the time of year.  But I agree unless you want to settle in and be a local for a week.  Assuming the itinerary is still in flux and thus won't be in the summer, Venice is way more enjoyable.

Would suggest hitting Genoa if you have time and Florence both were fantastic for food.

Florence has been raved about ad nauseam (for good reason!), but Genoa is probably the most underrated major city in Italy IMO.  Very cool place

[lawdog77]

Bologna is very underrated as a food destination.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Firenze is awesome!

And everything is so walkable.
I couldn't drink enough Chianti and Montepulicano.

[MuggsyB]

I will 2nd Bologna.  I also thoroughly enjoyed Torino as well as Siena. 

[warriorchick]

Bologna is very underrated as a food destination.

I thought their sandwiches were meh.

[Skatastrophy]

I thought their sandwiches were meh.

This is mortadella erasure