Northern Italy is in a perfect position to promote economic and cultural exchanges with neighbouring European countries such as France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The Alpine chain contrasts with the Po Valley, Italy's largest plain. This makes the territory perfect for all human activities and has favoured over time the economic growth of large cities such as Milan, Turin, Genoa and Venice
Milan: from economic progress to the artistic beauties of Leonardo and the Duomo
The city of Milan is the economic and financial centre of the country. In the city there are the major business groups in the world together with the Italian Stock Exchange, hosted at Palazzo Mezzanotte.
Despite the hectic life, typical of the metropolis, Milan also has great monuments of international historical and artistic interest. Just think of the Duomo with its complex architecture, famous throughout the world or the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci painted in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Beautiful museums and foundations of contemporary art are housed in cities such as the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the Bicocca hangar, the Fondazione Prada and many others.
If you come to Milan let yourself be carried away by the hectic life of Milan, get lost in the shopping streets such as the famous Via Montenapoleone, and let yourself be won over by a good aperitif maybe in the gallery Vittorio Emanuele II. Now it's time to start travelling again!
Turin: from elegant capital to industrial pole
So here we are in Turin, also a very important city for the Italian economy, a real industrial center that will win you over for its elegance and style. The view of the Alps from the city can only fascinate you and its architecture will leave you breathless. Not to be missed is the massive antonelliana, the tower built by the architect Alessandro Antonelli during the period of the unification of Italy and completed in 1889. A visit to the great Egyptian museum, which has one of the most important and complete collections on ancient Egypt in the world, is highly recommended, as well as a true pride for the city.
Venice, the "serenissima": the pearl of Northern Italy
About 400 km (250 miles) away is Venice, a real pearl among the cities of northern Italy. This city can boast a millenary history, having been for over 1100 years the historic capital of the Republic of Venice, also known as "serenissima".
It is located in the centre of the Venice lagoon and is therefore crossed by hundreds of canals. The most famous is the so-called Grand Canal, which with its typical "s" shape cuts the city in two.
The city of Venice is famous for its great Renaissance artists and for the school of color that contrasts with that of the typical Tuscan-Roman design (especially Rome and Florence). Titian, Giorgione, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Tintoretto and many others have brought the great Venetian painting to the international limelight.
Como: the wonderful city on the lake
Another place not to be missed is the town of Como located on the shores of the lake of the same name, on the border with Switzerland. In addition to the beauties offered by nature, there are also the great architectures that are the result of human ingenuity. Among these we find the large cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta whose construction began at the end of the fourteenth century. Very close to this building is the original headquarters of the municipality of Como built in 1215 and also known as Broletto di como, not to be missed its Gothic-Romanesque architecture and the ancient civic tower.
Itinerary of the Grand Tour of Northern Italy
There is still much to discover, wonderful cities such as Genoa, Piacenza, Verona, Bergamo, Cremona and many others. Italy is a country full of secrets and everything to discover. You will never cease to be amazed
Now that you know what to visit we have prepared an itinerary with which you can discover all this in a week.
Day 1
Venice accommodation in the hotel of your choice: dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 2
Venice - Breakfast meeting with the local guide and full day visit to St. Mark's Square: St. Mark's Basilica, interior, Byzantine mosaics, Golden Pall - St. Mark's Bell Tower - Procuratie Vecchie - Clock Tower - Procuratie Nuove - Doge's Palace: interior with stuccoes, golden frames, paintings and courtyard - Marciana Library. Lunch free continuation of the visit Correr Museum - Library Marciana - Bridge of Sighs - Prisons - Haberdashery - Rialto Bridge - Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Day 3
Venice - Breakfast meeting with the local guide and half-day visit: Jesuit Church: works by Tiepolo and Tintoretto - Church of the Holy Spirit - Campo della Salute: Patriarchal seminar with the Pinacoteca Manfrediana - Church of Santa Maria della Salute: Great Sacristy, works by Titian and Tintoretto - Dogana del Mar - Punta della Dogana Lunch free departure and arrival in Milan accommodation in the hotel chosen dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 4
Milan - Breakfast meeting with the local guide and full day visit :Duomo - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II° - Teatro e Piazza alla Scala - Castello Sforzesco - Lunch free continuation of the visit - Monumental cemetery - Cenacolo Vinciano - Santa Maria delle Grazie-. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5
Lake Como - Breakfast - departure and arrival in Como
meeting with the local guide and half-day visit: Church of San Abbondio - Porta Torre - Piazza and Church of San Fedele - Piazza del Duomo - Broletto - Torre Civica - Cattedrale -.Free lunch. Departure. End of services.
