Italian
Italy is a country that changes with the seasons and must be explored! If you are looking to escape Milan this autumn and see a little more of the country’s beauty, here are five unmissable day trips that you should take.
Lake Orta
You may not have heard of Lake Orta before as it’s not as famous as its other Italian counterparts but if you’re looking for somewhere a little bit quieter and less touristy, it could be the place for you! It’s the perfect place to witness the change in seasons.
What to do at Lake Orta
- Take a hike around the beautiful lake and take in the incredible scenery
- Take a boat trip around the lake
- Visit the picturesque town of San Giulio with its narrow streets and antique shops
- Admire the view from the Sacro Monte of Orta
- Go horseback riding in the surrounding woodland if you’re feeling adventurous
Where to eat
- Cucchiaio di Legno: an agriturismo that transforms locally sourced ingredients into delicious, home-cooked dishes
- Locanda di Orta: a small and stylish restaurant that offers tasty dishes made from traditional ingredients
- Venus: a lake-side trattoria which puts a twist on traditional dishes
How to get there
- Unfortunately, it’s only accessible by car - it only takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there though
Venice
It’s hard to squeeze all of Venice into one day but it’s definitely worth a try. It’s a city that is renowned far and wide for its long canals, narrow streets and incredible museums. With the cooler weather, autumn is the perfect season to explore all the sites of Venice!
What to do in Venice
- Take a stroll around Piazza San Marco, admire the architecture and visit the many museums there
- Climb the Campanile and get a bird’s eye view of the city
- Cross over the iconic Ponte di Rialto and check out the jewellery and souvenir shops
- Visit the Bridge of Sighs and learn about the history
- Navigate Venice like a local and ride a vaporetto on the Grand Canal
Where to eat
- Trattoria alla Rampa: A popular lunch spot with locals that offers tasty dishes for a reasonable price
- Osteria al Portego: A classic bar that serves traditional cichetti and good wine ideal for an afternoon snack
- Dal Moro: A pasta-to-go restaurant that won’t break that bank and lets you enjoy the Venice scenery
How to get there
- By car, it takes about around 2 hours and 40 minutes
- By train, it takes about 2 hours and 25 minutes without changes
- By bus, it takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes
Franciacorta
Not only is Franciacorta renowned for its exquisite wine production, it’s also famous for its beautiful landscapes, historical sites and peaceful environment. It’s the perfect place to spend a crisp autumn day and watch the seasons change in the classic Italian scenery.
What to do in Franciacorta
- Organise a tour of one of the many vineyards and cellars and see how their wine is made
- Take a bike ride through the ‘Strada del Vino Franciacorta’ and work off your wine calories
- Take a hop-on-hop-off boat tour around Lake Iseo and explore the towns
- Walk Through the Bogs of Torbiere del Serbino
- Stroll through the Castello di Brescia and its beautiful gardens and embrace the history of the region
Where to eat
- Locanda al Lago: A family owned restaurant that serves freshly caught fish to locals and tourists
- Ristorante San Martino: A welcoming restaurant that boasts the best pizza in the area and great seafood to match
- Due Colombe: A Michelin starred restaurant that is surprising laid-back despite its epic food offerings
How to get there
- By car, it takes around 52 minutes
- If you want to go via public transport, you’ll need to take the train and bus which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes
Parma
It’s been said that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’, and well, the same can be said about Parma. This city is much more than just Parma ham and Parmesan cheese with many cultural and historical offerings to view.
What can you do in Parma?
- Indulge in a food and wine tour of Parma and sample the local delicacies
- Visit the Museo Glauco Lombardi and learn more about European history
- Walk around the Cathedral and Baptistery and look at the architecture
- Stroll through Parma’s liveliest square, Piazza Garibaldi
- Relax in Parco Ducale and admire the Palazzo
Where should you eat?
- Pepèn: A favourite among tourists and locals that boasts the best sandwiches in Parma, perfect to stroll around the sights with
- Trattoria del Tribunale: A restaurant in the heart of the city that offers traditional dishes made from locally sourced ingredients
- La Forchetta: An elegant restaurant that offers high quality, classic dishes
How do you get there?
- By car, it takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes
- By train, it takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes
How do you get there?
Once you’ve decided where you’re going, it’s time to plan your trip! Below are the best transport options, just click the link and start planning.
- Trains
- Trenitalia (https://www.trenitalia.com/)
- Italo (https://www.italotreno.it/)
- Trenord (https://www.trenord.it/)
- Buses
- Flixbus (https://global.flixbus.com)
- Car Rentals
- Car-Sharing
Richard
Richard is the founder of Cribmed. He was born and grew up in New Zealand. In his twenties, he traveled and backpacked extensively before finally settling down in Rome, Italy in 2011.
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