North Italy - Bergamo, Milan, Verona & Venice
- ankat87
- Oct 19
- 20 min read
Updated: Oct 20
For many years I wanted to do a round-trip through Italy but somehow I always ended up traveling someplace else. Finally I spontaneously decided to just do it, without much planning or calculating. Of course I did some research before I booked my one-way ticket, as I always do, but that only took me a couple days. And I was confident that I will meet amazing people along the way who will help me learn, explore and experience all the beautiful things in "Bella Italia".
Bergamo (Lombardia)
I started my trip arriving in 📍Bergamo, a city in the Lombardy region, close to the Alps and around 40km (25mi) Northeast of Milan. It was only a short stay of 2 days but enough time to explore this charming little city, which is often overlooked by tourists.
So if you are visiting Milan, make a trip to Bergamo, it's worth it. Because Bergamo is a mix of beautiful landscape and medieval history, it has an authentic Italian culture and is perfect for an off-the-beaten-path experience. It's a great soft start for Italy first-timers as it's not so overly crowded with tourists.
I started exploring the city by walking from 📍Torre dei Caduti up to 📍Città Alta, the upper city, perched on a hilltop and surrounded by Venetian walls, which were build in the 16th century. The narrow cobblestone streets lead to stunning landmarks like 📍Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the city, where you can admire the medieval architecture and the magnificent 📍Campanone (bell tower) or the 📍Palazzo della Ragione while sipping on an espresso or cappuccino, taking it all in. I also had my first very delicious pizza at 🍕"Il Fornaio", which is close by.
My next stop was the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a beautiful 12th-century church filled with Renaissance art and Baroque decorations. It's small compared to other big churches in Italy but not less impressive.
After around 1 hour of strolling though Città Alta I took a walk along the Venetian Walls (📍Mura Veneziane-Patrimonio), a defense system which is an UNESCO world heritage site, then I relaxed my feet at a park nearby (📍Parco della Rocca e Fauna Orobica) from where you have breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the lower city, Città Bassa.
I ended my afternoon with a visit to the 📍Accademia Carrara Art Museum (Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara) which holds an impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. I bought my entry tickets on site but you can also get them online here.
If you're not sure if it's for you, they have a website which you can check out. I'm not big into arts but can definitely recommend, it's impressive.
The next day I walked through the alleys of the lower city, and did some shopping before jumping on my train to Milan. If you decide to ride the train as well, there is a direct train ride from 📍Bergamo train station in the district "Stazione", you can't miss it. Bus is also available, but takes longer.
My host in Bergamo, told me to try Casoncelli, the region’s signature dish.
I had these small, half-moon-shaped stuffed pasta for dinner. It's filled with a mixture of ground meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and herbs, served with a rich butter and sage sauce. It reminded me a bit of Tortellini or Ravioli and is absolutely delicious. I went to 🍝"Trattoria D'Ambrosio Da Giuliana" as it was close to where I was staying. It's a cosy, colourful and little chaotic looking restaurant but with delicious authentic food and absolutely worth a visit.
There you can also find more signature dishes from the region but Casoncelli is the one I got to try and so should you. 😁
Milano (Lombardia)
I spend a whole week in Italy's fashion capital, 3 days or so would have probably been enough but I really liked it there and I had amazing company so I decided to stay longer. 😊
If you're planning a trip to Milan, you're definitely in for a treat! Milan offers a unique blend of history, art, fashion, and again incredible cuisine (gotta love Italian food 🤤).
On my day of arrival, my amazing host took me on a scooter ride through the city center and we stopped at the 📍Duomo di Milano and 📍Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an upscale shopping mall with luxury clothing brands and restaurants.
The Duomo is one of the largest and most intricate Gothic cathedrals in the world.
If you are up to it you can climb to the rooftop (or take the elevator) for panoramic views of the city and a close-up look at the cathedral's spires.
The entry fee is around 10€ if you decide to get your ticket online you pay 1€ extra for pre-sale. But to go up to the terraces you gotta dig a bit deeper in your pockets.
Feeling sporty? Take the stairs for 25€. If your Legs don't work like they used to but you don't wanna miss out on the view? Take the elevator for 29€.
There are other options as well but those are the 2 most common ones.
Little budget hack on the side: If you wanna visit many historical and cultural sites in and around Milan but don't wanna spend much money on entry fees, get yourself a MilanoCard for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days and it also comes with different options. You gonna safe some money this way and still be able to see a lot of great places.
OR if you are on a trip through Northern Italy like me, you can also get yourself an ItalyPass. You can use it in Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples for free public transportation, free airport shuttles and discounted entry fees for their main attractions.
I mean it's not really "free", the pass costs 95€, but it includes:
free Milan Public Transport for 3 days
free Rome Public Transport for 3 days
free Naples Public Transport for 3 days
Train ticket valid for 5 consecutive days on Trenitalia
free shuttle bus to/from the airport
free access to Milan Duomo Cathedral, rooftop and museum
5€ for taxi
discounted entry fees for main attractions in Milan, Rome, Naples and Florence
It was really convenient for me and I didn't have to worry about getting train or entry tickets on the go.
Alright, where was I?
Ah yes, Duomo di Milano, very impressive.
Right next to it you find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an elegant shopping arcade that’s home to high-end stores, cafes, and restaurants.
Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, the architecture alone is worth the visit. It has this beautiful glass dome and mosaic floors. In the center of it you find a little dip in the floor (on a bull's testicles 😅), on which people make pirouettes on their heel, 3 to be exact.
For good fortune he said. 😊
And of course, no trip to Milan is complete without seeing Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" at the 📍Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as the limited slots fill up quickly. Planning a few days ahead will definitely pay off. The mural’s grandeur and historical significance are astonishing in person. I knew from my research that it's a quite big painting but it appears even bigger when standing in front of it.
Afterwards, I headed to the 📍Castello Sforzesco, around 10 minutes walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie. It's a fortress dating back to the 15th century that now houses several museums, including the Museo d'Arte Antica (Museum of Ancient Art). It also includes Milan's most famous green space the 📍Parco Sempione which was so worth a stroll.
I recommend you do the same, it's absolutely stunning. I love the peace and quiet of parks, even filled with people on a warm spring or summer day it somehow still radiates tranquility.
The📍Navigli District, where all previous mentioned attractions are located, is also known for its network of canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci. This area is lively both day and night, with charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants lining the waterways.
In the evening, it’s the perfect place for a traditional Italian aperitivo.
As I mentioned before, Milan is synonymous with fashion, and my local contact told me that no trip would be complete without a visit to the 📍Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan's luxury shopping district. Even if you're just window shopping, this area is a feast for fashion lovers. Especially along "Via Monte Napoleone".
You know from my previous blog entries, I'm not all too much into arts but of course I don't say NO if I get invited to one of Italy's most important art galleries 😅
The 📍Pinacoteca di Brera houses works by masters like Raphael, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt. After we absorbed the art, we took a stroll through the 📍Brera District, known for its bohemian atmosphere, narrow streets, artisanal shops and a few, I would say, rather glamorous Milanese restaurants, like 🍽 Ristorante Nabucco were we had dinner. Absolutely worth it. 🤤
At the end of my stay in Milan I went to 📍Lake Como, which is a perfect escape from the city. Only 40min away by train, the lake is surrounded by picturesque towns like 📍Como, 📍Bellagio, 📍Varenna, and 📍Menaggio, just to name a few.
George Clooney didn't choose this place for nothing. 😁 It's breathtaking and gives serene vibes. I went to Como in the morning as it was closest by and took a boat ride across the lake to from Como to Bellano and back, (which took around 2 hours all together) with short stops in other small villages around the lake. Como is a cosy little town and it was fun to explore the charming streets, and enjoy lunch with a view at 🥗La Vita è Bella Ristorante & Insalateria.
In the late afternoon I was back in Milan.
To be honest, I could have stayed there longer it was really calming, at least a good 3 days or so. Maybe next time. 😊
Before my onward trip to Verona I decided to check out the CityLife district, a very modern area with futuristic skyscrapers, green spaces, and shopping centers.
The 📍Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers covered in trees and plants, are symbolizing Milan’s push towards eco-friendly architecture I'm all here for that. 🌳🌱
Milanese Cuisine
Since I've spend a bit more time in Milan than in the other cities, I got to try more local dishes and I got really excited about it, because I've been told how super delicious it is.
Source: Milan locals 😉🇮🇹🤌🏼
Creamy cheesy risotto infused with saffron, giving it a golden hue and a little sweet but also tangy flavor. It’s often served as a side to "Ossobuco", but it's very tasty on its own as well.
But don't be fooled, it's not a vegan dish, vegetarian at it's best since it's made with lard (from pig fat), beef bone marrow and beef stock.
Ossobuco 🥩
A true Milanese classic, I was told. Ossobuco is a slow-cooked veal shank braised in white wine, broth, and vegetables. It's a casserole and typically served with "Risotto alla Milanese" (see photo) or "Polenta".
It's kind of similar to a schnitzel but a bit thicker. The Cotoletta is a breaded and fried veal (bone-in) cutlet, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It’s one of Milan’s most beloved dishes, and you'll find it in many local restaurants. It was the first Milanese dish I had because everybody told me that I have to try it.
Even though it's traditionally associated with Christmas, Panettone is a sweet bread filled with raisins and candied fruit that you can find year-round in Milan. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee or as a dessert. I had it as a gift once pre-Christmas but nothing beats the original from Milan. 😊
The Lombardy region, where Milan is located, is famous for Gorgonzola, a blue-veined cheese. I enjoy it in sauces, on pizza or simply with a slice of fresh bread and a glass of wine. It has a strong taste but comes also in a milder version and is not everybody's cup of tea. I love it though. 🤤
Polenta 🥣
A staple of Northern Italian cuisine, polenta is a kind of porridge and made from boiled cornmeal. In Milan, you’ll often find it served with hearty stews or meats, especially in colder months. It kind of looks like matched potatoes but obviously tastes completely different.
I have to admit, it wasn't my favourite, but you might like it, it's worth trying anyway.
These small, fried meatballs are made from leftover meat, typically beef or veal, mixed with eggs, bread, and Parmesan. We had them as a starter and they somewhat reminded me of our German "Boulette". 😊
Milan is a city that effortlessly blends the old and the new, offering travellers a chance to experience both historical landmarks and cutting-edge design. Whether you’re wandering through centuries-old cathedrals or sampling modern Italian cuisine in a stylish cafe, Milan leaves a lasting impression.
You can easily enjoy a week in this vibrant city - there’s always something new to discover.
And now, off to Verona!
Verona (Veneto)
Maybe you are asking yourself now - Why visiting Verona? What's there to see that I can't see in other more popular Italian cities?
Well, yes, like many other Italian cities Verona is UNESCO-listed, with lots of roman architecture and ruins, medieval castles, and Renaissance architecture. Which I'll get into a bit more detailed later. But most of all Verona is known as the setting of Romeo and Juliet, with 📍Juliet’s House as a major attraction.
Actually I went to Verona twice once after Milan for a few hours on my way to Venice and then again at the end of my trip through North Italy because my best friend was vacationing with her family nearby at 📍Lake Garda. So I decided to stay in Verona for 3 days and meet them there to spend a day exploring the city together.
It took me around 2 hours to get from Milan to Verona, it's a little shorter from Venice though. There are different options, if you take the fastest waay for a bit more than 1 hour it's €30 or more each way by Trenitalia Frecce. If you opt for a cheaper ride you find train rides for around 15€, but they take an hour longer.
There is also a Flixbus going to Verona a few times per day. It's cheaper, if you are more on a budget, but it also takes around 2 hours.
Who likes traveling in a rush anyway. 🙂
Verona itself is super walkable, so you better have comfy shoes with you.
In my opinion spring and autumn in North Italy have the best weather, but winter means fewer crowds and cheaper entry tickets and summer means, well massive crowds and the heat 🥵 is not really pleasant.
Well as you already know, I love to sleep long and have a slow morning, but for my friends I make exceptions, especially if it's my best friend. 😁 So I got up earlier to meet her and her little family. First stop of our city tour was of course 📍 Juliet's House coming from the 📍Ponte Delle Navi (bridge), which also gives a nice view of the river (Adige) and a glimpse of the city. The entry Juliet's House court yard, where you can see the balcony and a statue of Juliet, is free. Maybe you wonder now why I touch her boobies, they said it's for more luck in love. 💘 (can't say it helped)
If you want to enter the house, which is a little museum, to see some artefacts and exhibits related to the story of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the history of the building, you gotta pay an entrance fee of 12€, it's discounted for certain kind of people and free for children under 18.
You can buy a ticket at the box office in the courtyard or online here.
We continued our little walking tour to 📍Piazza Bra, a lively square surrounded by cafes and restaurants. I guess one could say that the highlight here is the Arena di Verona, a massive Roman amphitheater dating back to the 1st century AD. It’s incredibly well-preserved and still hosts concerts and operas.
At daytime you can enter the amphitheater for €10 (GA), but every first Sunday of the month in winter it's only 1€ for EU residents. If you feel sporty like us, you can climb up to the higher tiers for a fantastic view of the square.
There are many amazing opera plays like "Nabucco", "Aida", "La Traviata" or "Carmen", maybe you want to attend one of them while you are there. You'll find the tickets on their official website. I didn't attend any because they had some festival going on during that time, but if I will ever get the chance again, then I will. 🙂🎶
At 📍Piazza delle Erbe we had a little coffee stop. It's a quite busy marketplace surrounded by historic buildings and cozy cafés. One of the more significant historic buildings is the 📍Palazzo della Ragione it's a palace from the 12th century and also former town hall with tower from which you can get a nice view over the city, it even has an elevator, if you are not up for climbing the stairs. The palace also houses an art museum if you are interested in modern art from Achille Forti.
Another museum that might interest you is 📍Castelvecchio, its's a 14th century fortress filled with medieval and Renaissance art we
apons. To be honest me and my friend didn't feel like museum hopping so we didn't check it out, but if you are into it, I've been told, it's definitely worth a visit. Here goes the same as for Arena di Verona, entry price is 6€ and every first Sunday of the month in winter it's only 1€ for EU residents. (just a short reminder, EU is not all of Europe but merely 27 out of 44 countries)
We finished our day with a nice dinner and a little photo session at the 📍Ponte Pietra, Veronas oldest bridge and Castel San Pietro in the background, which I visited the next day.
As I had the next day to myself I just felt like relaxing and not doing much. Close to my hosts place is the 📍Giardino Giusti, a gorgeous Renaissance garden with cypress trees, fountains, and peaceful paths where I was strolling around in the morning, enjoying the scenery, listening to the birds. (Look at me sounding like an old woman 🤣)
As you might have noticed already, everything in Italy costs money. So the entry is €12.
I spent my day just wandering around trying different foods and having chats with the locals.
In the evening I watched the sunset from a restaurant called 🍝 Re Teodorico at 📍Castel San Pietro which lays on a hill and offers an amazing view of the Ponte Pietra, and the city skyline, in my opinion one of the best sunset spots in Verona. If you want an even better view, head up to Castel San Pietro for a breathtaking panorama.
And this time it's for free 😁 (or €2 if you take the funicular up 🚡).
Veronese Cuisine
I met a local friend and he suggested to go to a traditional osteria and try some of these must-eat Veronese dishes and as you already know, I'm not saying NO to food. 😄
Risotto all’Amarone
A rich risotto made with Amarone wine, which gives it a deep red color. Not quite my taste but worth a try. The waiter offered a Taleggio cheese as topping. I could have just had the cheese to be honest 😅
Pastissada de Caval
It's a stew made with slow-cooked horse meat, and I've been told it's a historic Veronese specialty. It's often compared to the Croatian "Pasticada", which is made with beef instead. It did look delicious but I somewhat have an aversion to eat horse.
Pandoro
Pandoro is a sweet, fluffy bread delight that also originated here, and makes for a perfect dessert. It's typically eaten on Christmas or New Years Eve but you can get it or bake it all year around to enjoy.
Gnocchi di Patate
Gnocchi di Patate, or potato gnocchi, are Italian dumplings made from potatoes and flour. You ca easily make them at home, my host showed me how. Typically, it's just mashed potatoes mashed mixed with flour to create a dough that is shaped into small pieces. Gnocchi can be served with different sauces, similar to pasta, for example with pesto, brown butter and sage, mushroom sauce, tomato sauce, with ragú, or like we had with a cheesy cream sauce and prosciutto. (see picture). It was delicious. 10/10 you gotta try it. 🤤
In Verona, they’re especially popular during Carnival (the “Venerdì Gnocolar” festival).
Bollito Misto alla Veronese
If you are a passionate meat lover this dish is for you 😁because it's a mix of boiled meats (like beef, tongue, and cotechino sausage) served with pearà, a peppery bread and bone marrow sauce that’s a true Veronese classic. It was so much meat, which made it perfect to share with others (or not 😅).
Torta Russa di Verona
Despite the name, it’s not Russian. It’s a crunchy almond and puff pastry cake with an almond-scented filling. They put powdered sugar on top and served it with sweet whipped cream. If you ever find your way to Verona get some. I'm sure all Veronese people would agree, it's a must try.
Verona is a city that just feels magical. Whether you're here for the history, the romance, or the amazing food, you’re guaranteed a memorable day. 🙂 Enjoy!
Venice (Venezia)
There’s something dreamlike about stepping into Venice - as if the laws of gravity and logic have quietly agreed to take a holiday. Streets are made of water, buses float, and your main form of navigation is equal parts intuition and guesswork. The moment you arrive, you realize that getting lost here isn’t a problem, it’s the whole point.
So I started my floating affair with Venice - getting lost (happily).
Most travelers arrive at 📍 Marco Polo Airport, just north of the city. It's relatively small and easy to navigate. From there, you can take the 📍Alilaguna water bus or a private water taxi that glides directly across the lagoon - the most cinematic airport transfer you’ll ever experience. If you prefer trains, and come from Verona or any other city, 📍Santa Lucia Station is right on the Grand Canal. You step off the platform, and Venice greets you instantly with gondolas bobbing beside the steps and the smell of espresso wafting from a nearby café. La Dolce Vita right in your face! 😁
Venice itself is completely car-free. The main modes of transport are vaporetti (water buses), traghetti (shared gondola crossings), or your own boat and of course your two feet. 🚤🚶🏻♀️
Walking, however, is a joy - even when you don’t know where you’re headed. The trick is to give up on maps early. Venice rewards spontaneity with secret courtyards, quiet canals, and small bridges leading to cafés that somehow don’t exist on Google Maps.
My host Cristiano told me first thing to do is having a wine and cicchetti at a bàcaro (Venetian wine bar). I'll explain that more later. 😊 So that was my very first stop before even dropping my bags. Absolutely valid way to start your time in Venice...wouldn't have it any other way.
I took a short nap and refreshed then my host dropped me pretty central to check the typical tourist spots off my list. Starting my wanderings in 📍Piazza San Marco, the grand drawing room of the city, with the 📍Basilica di San Marco, a marvel of Byzantine mosaics and golden light, sits proudly beside the elegant 📍Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece that once governed a maritime empire. Feeling sporty I decided to climb the 📍Campanile (bell tower) and was rewarded with sweeping views across the lagoon, where the red rooftops and green-blue canals shimmer like a Renaissance painting. (yep...Venice makes you talk like that...you'll see 😅)
From there, I drifted down the Grand Canal on 📍Vaporetto Line 1. It’s like sailing through an open-air museum - marble palaces, arching bridges, and balconies dripping with flowers.
I hopped off near the 📍Rialto Bridge for a stroll through the lively Rialto Market, which is directly on the bridge. Locals buy seafood caught that morning and vendors shout prices in the sing-song rhythm of Venetian dialect. Also a good place for souvenirs, overpriced but well, it's Venice. 😅 It's the most
I was craving a bit of calm, and I found it across the water to 📍Dorsoduro, it's the university district and filled with artists, students, and elegant decay. The 📍Peggy Guggenheim Collection (an art museum) offers one of Europe’s finest modern art collections, it was really interesting. If you are into modern art you should check it out. Nearby you also find the 📍Gallerie dell’Accademia which showcases the best of Venetian painting - Bellini, Titian, Veronese, you name it, it's there. 🏛
Venetian Cuisine
Venetian cuisine reflects its seafaring soul. Forget heavy pasta and pizza - here, food is light, briny, and full of character. Stop by a bàcaro (Venetian wine bar) for cicchetti, small bites meant for sharing. You might find sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines), polpette di carne (meatballs), or a creamy baccalà mantecato (whipped cod cream) on fresh bread.
Order an ombra - a small glass of local wine - and eat standing up at the counter like the Venetians do. 🤌🏼
Here are my suggestions for heartier Venetian meals:
Risotto al Nero di Seppia
A squid ink risotto that’s as rich as it is strikingly black.
The squid is slowly braised in its own ink with wine, garlic, onion, and tomatoes until tender. You do have a black mouth after that (not for long), but it's worth it. It often comes with other seafood as topping.
Bigoli in Salsa
A thick spaghetti served with anchovies, extra virgin olive oil and onion sauce. While today anchovies are usually used, some old osterias serve it with sardines like it was in the past. It's somewhat salty but a savory dish. Not my favorite but worth trying if you like anchovies.
Frittelle
A fried pastry filled with cream, crunchy on the outside and gooey soft on the inside. It's not overly sweet as one might think but it really hit's the spot if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.
But of course a scoop of gelato from 📍Gelateria Nico or 📍GROM pairs beautifully with a sunset stroll along the 📍Zattere promenade.
Venetian Life
Life in Venice moves at a slower rhythm. My host took me to 📍Campo Santa Margherita where mostly locals gather. It's a wide square lined with bars and pizzerias, where some kids kicked soccer balls and university students sip Aperol Spritz well into the evening. The city’s beloved aperitivo hour starts around 6 p.m. and can easily stretch until dinner - if anyone remembers dinner at all.
On weekends, Venetians escape to the 📍Lido, the long sandbar island separating the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. There, they ride bikes, swim, and enjoy a breezy seaside lunch far from the crowds of San Marco. I really loved it there, away from the tourist crowds.
Others venture to 📍Burano, famous for its rainbow-colored houses and handmade lace, or 📍Sant’Erasmo, where Venice’s vegetables are grown - particularly the prized castraure (baby artichokes) in spring.
Outside the city, many locals keep small homes or gardens on the mainland near 📍Mestre or 📍Treporti, where they can drive (yes, drive!) and live a slightly less aquatic life. They garden, cycle, and barbecue - all activities nearly impossible in the lagoon itself.
Let me tell you...the best moments in Venice often happen when you stop sightseeing. Sit on the edge of a canal at dusk, when the water mirrors the pink sky. Listen to the church bells echo across the lagoon. Or join a "voga alla veneta" club and learn the art of Venetian rowing - a graceful standing technique that locals use to navigate the canals without motors or noise.
Unfortunately I didn't experience a regata, one of the city’s rowing races, where locals cheer from the bridges and gondoliers compete in bursts of color and pride. But I heard it a lot of fun.
On a few days I spent a quiet morning in a hidden cloister garden, journaling, or just sipping coffee as the city slowly wakes up.
Venice is not a place to rush through. It’s a city that insists on slowness - on wandering, pausing, noticing. You’ll get lost, of course, but you’ll also find something better: a rhythm that’s beautifully, impossibly, Venetian.
Before you go on your Venice adventure, just a tip, water taxis look kinda cool but are crazy expensive - 120€-200€ for an airport transport (ca30min), and in the city between 60€-100€ plus surcharges for luggage or extra passengers (more than 5), unless you are a wealthy tourist, it's not a necessary experience.
Gondola rides are also a very typical tourist thing to do and especially during the holiday season of course expensive...no other but tourists do that. Private 30min rides are around 80€ at daytime and around 100€ at night. You can share a gondola with other tourists (max 5 passengers) which is cheaper but still around 30€-40€ per person.
But I understand for most tourists that's the ultimate Venice experience. Go for it! 😊
I suggest...Socialize! Find someone with a boat. Locals are super friendly and might take you on a ride. But be fair, invite them to an espresso or spritz. 😉
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