Northern Italy balances art and appetite with uncommon ease. In Milan, Roman-era roots meet cutting-edge design and fashion; in Verona, medieval lanes unwind to a Roman amphitheater still hosting operas under the stars. Between them are lake breezes, alpine vistas, and vineyards carved by centuries of careful hands.

This 12-day itinerary blends icons and insider corners. You’ll climb the Duomo’s marble rooftop, stand before Leonardo’s The Last Supper, sip a Negroni Sbagliato where it was born, then drift to Verona’s riverside terraces and the Arena’s vast stone bowl. Side trips add variety: Lake Como’s villas, the Swiss Alps by Bernina train, and Valpolicella’s Amarone cellars.

Practical notes: Pre-book “Last Supper” access and summer opera seats well in advance. Italy’s high-speed trains make city hops easy, and both cities reward walkers. Expect a culinary through-line—risotti and osso buco in Lombardy; big-shouldered reds and handmade pasta in Veneto.

Milan

Milan is Italy’s engine room—financial center, fashion runway, and a crucible for ideas since it was Roman Mediolanum. Gothic grandeur crowns the Duomo; a few blocks away, Leonardo’s genius still glows on a refectory wall. By evening, Navigli’s canal-side bars revive the art of aperitivo—small plates, big chatter.

Getting in and around: Fly into MXP/LIN/BERG and take the Malpensa Express or a taxi. For flights within or to/from Europe, compare options on Omio. If you’re coming from outside Europe, check fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. In town, the ATM metro/tram network is fast; plan for about €8 per day on passes, and tap-in/tap-out on the M4 to/from Linate.

Where to stay (4–6 nights)

• Iconic splurge: Hotel Principe di Savoia — Old-school Milanese glamour, a short hop to Porta Nuova’s skyline.
• Design-forward midrange: Room Mate Giulia — Steps from the Duomo; playful interiors by Patricia Urquiola.
• Best social vibe (budget): Ostello Bello — Warm staff, nightly pasta, and a great base for Navigli/center.
• Solid central pick: UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano — Between Sforza Castle and Brera’s galleries.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Milan | Hotels.com Milan

Days 1–4: Duomo, Leonardo, Brera, and Navigli

Start where Milan soars: the Duomo’s rooftop forest of spires. The marble underfoot has a rosy glow at golden hour; afterward, slide into the Galleria for a Campari at the landmark bar opened in 1915. In Brera, cobbled streets hide courtyards and the Pinacoteca’s Renaissance canvases; boutiques here showcase Milanese design without the Quadrilatero’s fuss.

Make “The Last Supper” non-negotiable—tickets are limited to preserve the mural. Complement it with Sforza Castle (Michelangelo’s final Pietà) and Parco Sempione’s rambling green. Evenings belong to Navigli’s canals, where antique barges reflect neon and locals trade office shoes for spritzes.

• Essential guided experience: Milan Duomo & The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Small Group Tour

  

  Why: you get guaranteed entry to two sell-out icons and a concise city walk with context.
• Coffee & breakfast: Marchesi 1824 (almond croissants under Murano lights), Pavé (buttery “torta della nonna” and cappuccini), and Princi (focaccia and still-warm cornetti).
• Lunch: Luini for classic panzerotti by the Duomo; Miscusi for fresh pasta bowls; De Santis for pressed tramezzini stuffed with artichokes and speck.
• Dinner: Trippa (market-driven trattoria; book early), Ratanà (Milanese saffron risotto in a Liberty-era building), and Langosteria (seafood shrine; crudo and linguine alle vongole).
• Aperitivo & cocktails: Bar Basso (home of the Negroni Sbagliato), Camparino in Galleria (bitter classics with a view), Nottingham Forest (playful molecular mixes).

Days 5–7: Lakes, Alps, Stadiums, and Contemporary Culture

Trade streets for shores with a Lake Como day—Como’s cathedral, a private boat past silk-smooth villas, and Bellagio’s stair-stepped alleys perfumed by wisteria in spring. If you want real mountain drama, add the UNESCO-listed Bernina railway: glaciers, spiral viaducts, and the bright red train climbing to 2,253 meters.

Back in Milan, football devotees can walk the players’ tunnel at San Siro, while art lovers head to Fondazione Prada or Pirelli HangarBicocca (the Anselm Kiefer “Seven Heavenly Palaces” are monumental). Dinner near the canals and a gelato stroll keep the tempo easy.

• Como + Switzerland day trip: Italy and Switzerland Day Trip: Lake Como, Bellagio & Lugano from Milan

  

  Expect villa-studded shores and time ashore in two countries.
• Cooking night in Milan: Gnocchi, Pasta, Tiramisù and Wine Class

  

  Hands-on recipes you’ll actually cook at home.
• For football fans: Milan: Official San Siro Stadium and Museum Tour

  

  Walk the tunnel, see the changing rooms, and trace Inter/AC history.

Verona

Verona is a stage set that never feels like a stage. Pink marble streets sweep toward Piazza Bra; the Arena, a 1st-century amphitheater, still fills with arias each summer. Over the Adige, Roman theaters and hilltop views bring the story full circle—and yes, Juliet’s balcony exists, though the real romance lies in twilight along the river.

Getting there: Take a morning high-speed train from Milano Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova via Omio Trains—about 1 hour 12 minutes on Frecciarossa/Italo, typically €15–€35 if booked in advance. Buses are a slower, cheaper fallback via Omio Buses. Verona’s old town is walkable; local buses connect Porta Nuova station to Piazza Bra in ~10 minutes.

Where to stay (5–6 nights)

• Classic address by Sant’Anastasia: Due Torri Hotel — Historic salons and rooftop terrace views.
• Best for Arena nights: Hotel Milano & Spa — Steps from Piazza Bra, with a small rooftop jacuzzi.
• Value with wellness: Hotel San Marco Fitness Pool & Spa — Good for drivers; pool and spa to decompress.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Verona | Hotels.com Verona

Day 8: Arrive, Settle, and Sunset Verona

Drop bags and orient at Piazza Bra, where cafés face the Arena’s rose-hued stone. Stroll Via Mazzini for window-shopping and reach Piazza delle Erbe for a spritz beneath frescoed façades; climb Torre dei Lamberti for a first panorama if time allows.

• Aperitivo: Osteria del Bugiardo (Valpolicella by the glass and cicchetti), then a river walk to Castelvecchio’s crenellated bridge.
• Dinner: Trattoria al Pompiere (Veronese bollito misto and an excellent salumi counter) or Locanda 4 Cuochi (seasonal, modern plates near the Arena).

Days 9–10: Roman Arena, Juliet, and Riverside Lanes

Tour the Arena by day to grasp its scale; if you’re visiting June–September, consider an opera evening for goosebumps. Thread through the historic core—Piazza dei Signori, Arche Scaligere, and yes, Juliet’s courtyard (arrive early for calmer moments), then cross the Adige to the Roman Theater and take the funicular to Castel San Pietro for the city’s best view.

• Guided overview with access: Verona Small Group Walking Tour with Cable Car and Arena Tickets

  

  A compact way to see the essentials and ride up for views.
• Skip-the-line inside the Arena: Verona Arena Skip-the-line Tour

  

  Great if you want to focus on the amphitheater’s Roman engineering.
• Coffee & sweets: Caffè Borsari (tiny, old-school charm), Pasticceria Flego (mignons and fruit tarts), and Gelateria Savoia (creams since 1939).
• Dinner (special night): Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli (contemporary tasting menus in a storied setting) or Antica Bottega del Vino (deep cellar, classic pastas and braised meats).

Days 11–12: Valpolicella Wines and Lake Garda Breezes

Spend a day in the hills for Amarone, Ripasso, and views over stone-walled vineyards. Your second day leans lake-ward—Garda’s southern shore mixes castles (Sirmione’s Scaligero), Roman ruins (Grotte di Catullo), and easy boat hops between colorful towns.

• Wine country made easy: Valpolicella and Amarone Wine-tasting Tour from Verona

  

  Visit two traditional wineries and compare terroirs with an expert.
• Hands-on cooking (evening option): Verona: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class With Free Flowing Wine

  

  Learn to roll and fold like a local, then dine on your work.
• Lake day idea: From Verona, trains to Desenzano/Peschiera run ~20–30 minutes; walk lakefront promenades, ferry to Sirmione, and try Garda PDO olive oil with lake fish at lunch.

Practical dining map (Verona)

• Lunch: Osteria Le Vecete (polenta e funghi, aged cheeses), La Piazzetta (seasonal pastas near Sant’Anastasia).
• Aperitivo: wine bars around Piazza delle Erbe; look for local Custoza whites or Bardolino Chiaretto rosé by the glass.
• Dessert: slice of sbrisolona (almond crumb tart) with a grappa nightcap.

Logistics at a glance

• Milan → Verona train: ~1h12–1h30, €15–€35 advance fares via Omio Trains. Book a morning departure to maximize your first day.
• Flights home: For European routes use Omio Flights. For long-haul searches, compare Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights.

Across 12 days you’ll trace Northern Italy’s greatest hits—Duomo pinnacles, Leonardo’s masterpiece, a lake-laced escape, Roman stone, and vineyard dinners—without ever feeling rushed. The rhythm shifts from cosmopolitan Milan to lyrical Verona, a pairing that flatters both cities. Expect great coffee, measured walks, and a suitcase scented faintly of leather, citrus, and Amarone oak.