7 Days Northern Lakes & Italian Riviera — Self-Launched from Milan
7 days · Northern Italy
Europeando Europa charges £3,390
No-markup version: ~£660 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Europeando Europa's Northern Lakes and Italian Riviera tour covers the same stunning route — from Milan through Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Bergamo, Lake Garda, Verona, Genoa, Portofino, Cinque Terre and back — but at a fraction of the cost. Swap the private minivan and 4-star hotels for trains, regional buses, ferries, and well-located budget hotels or guesthouses. All the key experiences — boat trips on the lakes, wandering Bellagio, Romeo-and-Juliet Verona, the pastel villages of Cinque Terre — are fully doable independently. Prices below are approximate estimates per person based on budget travel rates in Northern Italy.
Day-by-day
Milan → Lake Orta → Stresa → Lake Como
Milan / Orta San Giulio / Stresa / Como
Start early from Milano Centrale. Take a regional train to Orta-Miasino (change at Novara, ~1.5 hrs, ~£8). Explore the beautiful Orta San Giulio village on foot, then take the public ferry to the Island of San Giulio to visit the Monastery Mater Ecclesiae and the Romanesque Basilica of Saint Julius (~£3 return). Head back to Orta, take a train to Stresa on Lake Maggiore (~40 mins, ~£5). From Stresa, catch the Navigazione Laghi public ferry to Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella — combined tickets available at the dock (~£15). In the late afternoon, travel by train to Como (change at Milan, ~1.5 hrs, ~£10). Check into your guesthouse or budget hotel near the lake.
🚌Regional trains Milan–Orta-Miasino (~£8), Orta–Stresa (~£5), Stresa–Como via Milan (~£10). Public Navigazione Laghi ferries from Stresa (~£15).
🛏Ostello Bello Lake Como or a budget guesthouse near Como station (~£35–50/night)
- →Explore Orta San Giulio village independently
- →Public ferry to Island of San Giulio — visit Monastery Mater Ecclesiae and Basilica of Saint Julius
- →Navigazione Laghi public ferry to Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella from Stresa
- →Evening stroll along the Como lakefront
Como → Bellagio → Bergamo
Como / Bellagio / Bergamo
After breakfast, take a short walk around Como's historic centre — the Duomo and waterfront are free to explore. Then board the public Navigazione Laghi ferry from Como to Bellagio (1.5–2 hrs, ~£12 one way) — a stunning lake crossing that rivals any private cruise. Spend 2–3 hours wandering Bellagio's narrow lanes and waterfront cafés. In the afternoon, take a ferry back toward Varenna or Menaggio, then a bus/train connection to Bergamo (~1.5 hrs, ~£10). Arrive in Bergamo and ride the funicular up to Città Alta (upper town, ~£1.50) for a golden-hour wander through the medieval streets and the Piazza Vecchia. Stroll back down through Città Bassa.
🚌Navigazione Laghi ferry Como–Bellagio (~£12). Bus/train Bellagio area to Bergamo (~£10). Bergamo funicular (~£1.50).
🛏B&B or budget hotel in Bergamo Città Bassa (~£45–60/night)
- →Self-guided walk of Como's Duomo and lakefront
- →Navigazione Laghi public ferry Como to Bellagio
- →Explore Bellagio village
- →Funicular ride to Bergamo Città Alta
- →Walking tour of Bergamo old town and Città Bassa
Bergamo → Sirmione → Lazise → Verona
Bergamo / Sirmione / Lazise / Verona
Take a morning bus from Bergamo to Sirmione on Lake Garda (~1 hr, ~£8 via APAM/FlixBus). Walk out along the Sirmione peninsula — the Scaligero Castle and the Grotte di Catullo Roman ruins are both easily reached on foot (entrance ~£6–8). Grab lunch at a lakeside café. In the afternoon, take a local bus to Lazise (~20 mins, ~£3) — a charming walled village with a free-to-enter historic centre. Then bus or train to Verona (~40 mins, ~£5). Check in and explore the city in the evening.
🚌Bus Bergamo–Sirmione (~£8). Bus Sirmione–Lazise (~£3). Bus/train Lazise–Verona (~£5).
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in central Verona (~£35–55/night)
- →Walk to Scaligero Castle and Grotte di Catullo ruins in Sirmione
- →Explore Lazise village and its medieval walls
- →Arrive in Verona — evening stroll along the Adige River
Verona → Lake Iseo → Genoa
Verona / Iseo / Genoa
Spend the morning on a self-guided walking tour of Verona's highlights — all within easy walking distance: Piazza Bra and the Roman Arena (exterior free, interior ~£8), Via Mazzini, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori, Dante's monument, and Juliet's Balcony (courtyard free, small fee for balcony access ~£6). After lunch, take a train to Iseo on Lake Iseo (~1.5 hrs via Brescia, ~£12). Walk through Iseo's lakeside town and waterfront before catching a train to Genoa (~2.5 hrs, ~£20). Check into your accommodation in Genoa.
🚌Train Verona–Iseo via Brescia (~£12). Train Iseo–Genoa (~£20).
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Genoa central (~£35–50/night)
- →Self-guided walk: Piazza Bra, Arena of Verona, Via Mazzini
- →Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori, Dante Alighieri monument
- →Juliet's Balcony (Casa di Giulietta)
- →Lakeside walk in Iseo town
Genoa → Rapallo → Santa Margherita → Portofino
Genoa / Rapallo / Santa Margherita / Portofino
Start with a self-guided city tour of Genoa — the medieval caruggi (alleyways), the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the old port (Porto Antico) are all free to explore. Grab a focaccia from a local bakery for a budget Genoese breakfast. Take a regional train to Rapallo (~35 mins, ~£5) and walk through the old town and past the Castle of Dragut on the seafront. Continue by train to Santa Margherita Ligure (~5 mins, ~£2). From Santa Margherita, take the public ferry to Portofino (~£8 return) — far cheaper than a private boat and equally scenic. Stroll Portofino's famous harbour, then return to Genoa by train in the evening.
🚌Train Genoa–Rapallo (~£5). Train Rapallo–Santa Margherita (~£2). Public ferry Santa Margherita–Portofino return (~£8). Train back to Genoa (~£5).
🛏Same accommodation in Genoa (night 2 of 3)
- →Self-guided walk of Genoa's caruggi, Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Porto Antico
- →Explore Rapallo old town and Castle of Dragut
- →Visit Santa Margherita Ligure
- →Public ferry Santa Margherita to Portofino
- →Explore Portofino harbour village
Genoa → Portovenere → Cinque Terre
Genoa / Portovenere / Cinque Terre
Take an early train from Genoa to La Spezia (~1.5 hrs, ~£12), then a public ferry from La Spezia to Portovenere (~£8 return) to explore the colourful harbour village and the Church of San Pietro on the headland. Return to La Spezia and take the local Cinque Terre train to Vernazza (~15 mins, ~£4) — buy a Cinque Terre Card (from ~£8/day) for unlimited train hops between the five villages plus trail access. Spend the afternoon in Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, with time for a swim and lunch at a local trattoria. Return to Genoa by train in the evening.
🚌Train Genoa–La Spezia (~£12). Ferry La Spezia–Portovenere return (~£8). Cinque Terre Card train pass (~£8). Train back to Genoa (~£12).
🛏Same accommodation in Genoa (night 3 of 3)
- →Public ferry La Spezia to Portovenere
- →Visit Church of San Pietro and Portovenere harbour
- →Cinque Terre Card for train access between villages
- →Explore Vernazza village
- →Explore Monterosso al Mare — beach time and local lunch
Genoa → Varazze → Finalborgo → Milan
Genoa / Varazze / Finalborgo / Milan
Take a morning regional train west along the Riviera to Varazze (~25 mins, ~£4) — a pleasant Ligurian seaside town with a long seafront promenade. Continue by train to Finale Ligure (~30 mins, ~£4), then a short bus or taxi (~10 mins, ~£3) up to the medieval village of Finalborgo — one of Italy's most beautiful borghi, with free-to-explore lanes, a castle, and a central piazza perfect for a farewell lunch. Return to Finale Ligure station and take the direct train back to Milan (~2.5 hrs, ~£18). Arrive into Milano Centrale by late afternoon.
🚌Train Genoa–Varazze (~£4). Train Varazze–Finale Ligure (~£4). Bus/taxi to Finalborgo (~£3). Train Finale Ligure–Milan (~£18).
🛏End of tour — depart from Milan
- →Stroll Varazze seafront promenade
- →Bus up to Finalborgo medieval village
- →Explore Finalborgo's castle, piazza, and old lanes
- →Train back to Milan
Self-launched vs. Europeando Europa
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Europeando Europa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£660 | £3,390 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,730 per person (81%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Europeando Europa-style trips? Check them out here.~£660
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 7 Days Northern Lakes & Italian Riviera — Self-Launched from Milan cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £660 per person for 7 days in Northern Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Europeando Europa?+
Yes — Europeando Europa charges around £3,390 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £660 — a saving of roughly £2,730 (81%) per person.
How long is the Northern Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Northern Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, slow-travel trip through Northern Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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