An awesome northern italy itinerary, what to see and do

For three incredible weeks in October I toured northern Italy and visited my family.  What an amazing trip to say the least!  I’ve been on a sabbatical from my university position during this fall semester.  I knew that I had to take advantage of this time to roam around Italy SLOWLY and on my own terms.  I recommend that anyone do this in any country that they have a passion for.  During this memorable time in Italy, my senses were completely overwhelmed with the sights, aromas, and sounds of authentic of Italy.

I am sharing the complete detailed itinerary of the trip.  Every day for the next few weeks I’ll write a post about each destination along with providing the names and addresses of places that I shopped, lodged, or dined in.  

So come along!

 

Day 1:   ARRIVAL and MILAN – The LAST SUPPER 

  • Arrived in Bologna 
  • Took the train to Milan.
  • Checked into the Marriott Autograph in the city center.
  • Welcomed with a bottle of wine and fresh fruit and cheese platters.
  • Private, after-hours viewing of Leonardo di Vinci’s “Last Supper”.
  • Dinner at Eataly.

Day 2:  MILAN – The GALLERIA and LA SCALA

  • Strolled inside the beautiful Galleria shopping center.
  • Lunch at the original cafe, “Biffi”.
  • Tour of La Scala Opera House and Museum.
  • Took an open-top, hop on, hop off tour of the city (it was 75 perfect degrees).
  • Dinner at the Galleria Caffe’.

 Day 3: MILAN – The CATHEDRAL

  • Rooftop and interior of tour of Milan’s Cathedral (also known as the Duomo).
  • A second route of the city on the open-air hop on, hop off bus (we purchased a 48 hour ticket).
  • Shopping and strolling around the city center.

Day 4:  FLORENCE – The DUOMO

  • Took an early train to Florence.
  • Checked into the AC Marriott Hotel.
  • Toured the Duomo, all the way to the TOP!
  • Pizza and beer lunch at Move On Pizzeria and Bar next to the Baptista.
  • Strolled along Florence’s cobblestone streets:
    • Stopped in Gilli for the famous fruit flavored jellies.
    • Strolled along the Ponte Vecchio and shopped.
  • Dinner at Alla Griglia for Bistecca Fiorentina, Florence’s specialty beef steak.

Day 5: FLORENCE – The ACCADEMIA and the DAVID

  • Viewed Michaelangelo’s famous marble sculpture of David.
  • Strolled the museum and viewed mideaval artwork and marble sculptures.
  • Lunch at The Four Lions ristorante:  Fried, stuffed zucchini flowers, risotto with funghi (mushrooms) and lasagna.
  • Took train to Bologna.
  • Checked into AC Marriott Hotel.

Day 6 and 7:  BOLOGNA – CITY CENTER MARKET and CATHEDRALS

  • Walking Tour (my own) of three (3) of Bologna’s ancient cathedrals:
    • Basilica di San Petronio, and attended Mass
    • Basilica di San Domenico 
    • Basilica di Santo Stefano and Monastery
  • Lunch at PINO Ristorante & Pizzeria :  Tortellini alla Panna and Raspberry Cream Torta for dessert. 
  • Foodie Walking Tour (my own):  The Quadrilatero district of open markets and shops.
  • Dinner at Clive Clavature:  Spaghetti Bolognese and Panna Cotta with Frutti di Boscolo.

DAY 8:  MODENA and FAMILY

  • My cousin, Silvia picked me up and drove me to my hotel in Modena (about 30 minutes from Bologna)
  • Checked into Vittorio Vineto boutique hotel for 5 nights, perfectly located next to the city center, walking distance to everything.
  • Visited my cousin’s new business facility.
  • Dinner with all of the family for fresh, hot tigelle, served with prosciutto, lardo, or nutella for dessert.

DAY 9:  MODENA – City Center Food Market, Shops and Cathedral

  • Walking tour with Silvia in Modena’s famous food market and boutique shops.
  • Visited Modena’s ancient cathedral.
  • Lunch at Da Panino for Tortellini alla Panna

DAY 10:  MODENA – PARMIGGIANO REGIANO FARM & CHEESE FACTORY

  • Morning spent visiting with family.
  • Toured Parmiggiano Regiano Farm and Cheese Factory.
  • Dinner at a traditional Italian Bocci Ball Club, Bocciofila Modenese Ristorante for traditional Modenese cuisine of tortellino, borlenghi, wine pudding and more.

DAY 11:  THE APPENINI MOUNTAIN towns of MONTECRETO, MAGRIGNANA and RENNO

  • Visits to family in both mountain towns.
  • Lunch at Al Focolare Ristorante in Montecreto for fresh pasta with fresh-picked funghi porcini (porcini mushrooms) and funghi crostini.
  • Scenic drive of the mountains.
  • Dinner at Modena’s famous OPERA o2 for Insalata Mista, appetizers, and Pasta with Truffles.

DAY 12:  MODENA – PAVAROTTI’s HOME

  • Toured Pavarotti’s home in Modena, his home city.
  • Food shopping in my cousin’s preferred market for high quality Italian foods home to ship home to the States.
  • Lunch at my cousin Silvia’s house.
  • Visited my cousin’s factory in Modena.
  • Dinner at my paternal cousin’s in Modena:  Insalata Mista with homemade balsamic vinegar, homemade tortelloni,  veal scallopini, and bracealo carpaccio.

DAY 13:  VERONA – JULIETTE’s BALCONY and SHOPPING

  • Visited Juliette’s Balcony (from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”)
  • Shopped along the boutique lined streets of Verona.
  • Lunch at Locanda 4 Cuochi of:  Fried Zucchini Flowers in Cream Sauce, and Gnocchi in Pomodore Sauce.
  • Dinner for pizza at Vaciglio Pizzeria in Modena:  My pizza was Quattro Formaggio with Spicy Sausage and Pomodore Sauce.  

DAY 14:  ASSISI

  • Took the train to Assisi, home of St. Francis.
  • Checked into an apartment offered through Booking.com; a 1000 year old house within the walls of the city.
  • Prepared spaghetti with olive oil in the kitchen for dinner.

DAY 15:  ASSISI – The BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO

  • Morning spent viewing and praying inside the Basilica of San Francesco.
  • Visited and prayed in the chapel where St. Francis is buried.
  • Strolled along the cobblestone streets of Assisi taking photos iDVD the beauty.
  • Enjoyed a cold Italian beer at a neighborhood biratecca.
  • Dinner with an American friend, Karen, at Ristorante Medivo in the City Center.

DAY 16:  ASSISI – The TEMPLE OF MINERVA and SHOPPING

  • Visited and prayed in the now Catholic Church, once a Roman Temple of Minerva.
  • Shopped for handmade knits, handmade paper cards and recipe books, table linens and rosaries.
  • Lunch in the city center at:  Taverna dei Console for the most amazing Cacio e’ Pepe and Beef Tagliata with Funghi and the most extraordinary sliced pineapples with caramel sauce for dessert.

DAY 17:  FLORENCE – The UFFIZI MUSEUM

  • Took the train to Florence.
  • Checked into an apartment in the San Lorenzo area, 2 blocks away from the Centrale Marketo.
  • Visited The Uffizi Museum.
  • Dinner for pizza at Camaldoli Pizzeria.

DAY 18:  FLORENCE – The CENTRALE MARKETO and Eco-Car Tour of Florence

  • Morning walk and lots of time spent in the famous Centrale Marketo of Florence.
  • Lunch at Move On Pizzeria (a return visit since the pizza was very good).
  • Took an hour long tour in a tiny eco-car all around Florence.
  • Enjoyed last evening in Italy in a piazza sipping on Italian wine.

DAY 19:  DEPART TO THE U.S.A.

  • Arrived in the States mid-afternoon.
  • Slept with wonderful memories of bella Italia!

 

Yes, a lot was experienced during this time in Italy.  So again, for the next few weeks, I’ll be posting more specifics about each destination listed in the itinerary above.  I hope that you’ll join me!