In One Week

This brief, 1-week loop brings you to northern Italy's must-see destinations, starting in Milan, northern Italy's major gateway, and winding up in Venice, before a 3-hour train ride back to the Lombard capital. It follows a very simple route that could easily be taken by train.

Day 1: Arrive in Milan

Most of this large city's major sites are confined to the area around the Duomo, in the epicenter, a good place to start any tour. The two top attractions, however, seeing a performance at La Scala opera house and viewing Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, will require advance reservations. This is one of the few cities in the entire country with a reputation for nightlife, so if you are looking for chic bars and active nights past 11pm, best to get it done here. Also, if you're here during Fashion Week or during another major trade fair, be sure to reserve your hotel in advance.

Day 2: Lake Como

With a daylong boat pass, spend the day crisscrossing the lake, from Como and nearby Cernobbio, home of the famed Villa d'Este, up and over to Bellagio, one of the most captivating lake towns in the country. Skip over to the western shore to hike up in the scenic hills above Menaggio. On the opposite shore is Varenna, an excellent place to have lunch or dinner, especially at the Vecchia Varenna. This is also the side of the lake that has train tracks leading to Milan, and -- even better -- straight to Bergamo via Lecco.

Day 3: Bergamo, Brescia & Verona

Spend the morning exploring Bergamo's Old City, around the stunning Piazza Vecchia and Piazza del Duomo. After a polenta lunch, make a quick stop to see the Loggia in Brescia and the city's excellent collection of paintings in the Pinacoteca Tosio-Matinengo before heading to Verona for the rest of the afternoon. (Bergamo to Brescia, and Brescia to Verona, are each only 45-min. train rides.) In Verona, don't miss the slightly hokey but nevertheless magical House of Juliet, and, if you're there at the right time, an opera inside the city's Roman Arena. (You'll need to reserve ahead for tickets and bring some very nice clothes.) The performance will be one you'll remember for a lifetime.

Day 4: Vicenza & Padua

Here are two gems shamefully overlooked by Venice-bound travelers, separated by a 30-minute train ride. After a coffee in Verona's Piazza delle Erbe, head for Vicenza. Just walking around the city is inspiring enough, as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but take time to see the Teatro Olimpico and, if it is open, the Basilica Palladiana. Two great side trips would be to see the massive outdoor chessboard in Marostica, accessible by a 40-minute bus ride, or, if you are driving, by all means check out the Villa Rotonda, on the outskirts of the city. The highlight of the day, however, will probably be the Scrovegni Chapel, in Padua, and its frescoes by Giotto. Note: Padua is so close to Venice that budget travelers might plan to book a hotel here, as it will cost a fraction of a night on the lagoon.

Days 5 & 6: Venice

You'll need at least 2 nights in Venice and will wish you had the time and money for 10 more, especially if you come in the off season when the atmosphere is so much more pleasant. (In fact, if you come in July or early Aug, the crowds can really be suffocating. Booking a hotel in advance will be essential.) By all means, try to time your visit with one of the city's many festivals, especially the Regata Storica. Be sure to spend some daytime hours in lesser-visited quarters, such as Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto. But don't snub the gondola ride as too touristy; grab a bottle of prosecco and float through the canals at night.

Day 7: Last Day in Milan

It's only a 3-hour train ride back to Milan, so you should have lots of time to do the things you missed on the first day. If you've already seen the Scala, why not go for the other end of the cultural spectrum and catch a game at Italy's most revered soccer stadium, San Siro? Or if shopping is your priority, don't miss the frequent outdoor market.