7 days in Northwest Italy Itinerary

A city famous for its cuisine, Bologna is the seat of the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Mon): enjoy breathtaking views from Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell, take an in-depth tour of Museo Civico Archeologico, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano, then learn about winemaking at Manaresi, and finally don't miss a visit to Piazza Maggiore.

To see maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Bologna trip planner.

Thiene to Bologna is an approximately 2-hour car ride. You can also drive. When traveling from Thiene in August, plan for a bit warmer days in Bologna, with highs around 36°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 22°C. On the 30th (Tue), you're off to Florence.

Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Tue): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at The Baptistery of St. John, make a trip to Piazzale Michelangelo, and then explore the world behind art at Pitti Palace. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the views from Ponte Vecchio, find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, appreciate the extensive heritage of Piazza del Duomo, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, then take a peaceful walk through Foresta di Vallombrosa, and finally explore the world behind art at Florence Academy of Fine Arts.

To see traveler tips, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Florence vacation builder site.

Traveling by train from Bologna to Florence takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. August in Florence sees daily highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can go by car to Siena.

Siena, a medieval Tuscan city, features numerous attractions, including a historic town center, alleyways, towers, and well-preserved buildings.

To see more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Siena holiday website.

You can drive from Florence to Siena in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in August, and nighttime lows around 22°C. On the 1st (Thu), you're off to Montalcino.

In the heart of wine country, the hill town of Montalcino offers a glimpse of untouched medieval-era Tuscany.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Thu): learn about winemaking at Winery Solaria Patrizia Cencioni.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Montalcino trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Siena to Montalcino takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In September in Montalcino, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Thu) to allow time for the car ride to Pienza.

Pienza, a town and comune in the province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany (central Italy), between the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino, is the "touchstone of Renaissance urbanism."In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley, the Val d'Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO's World Cultural Landscapes.HistoryBefore the village was renamed to Pienza its name was Corsignano. Start off your visit on the 1st (Thu): take in the exciting artwork at Art Studio di Adelina Quadri, take a stroll through Monticchiello, then make a trip to Piazza Pio II, then see the interesting displays at Palazzo Piccolomini, and finally do a tasting at Enoteca Di Ghino.

To find maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Pienza journey planning website.

Pienza is very close to Montalcino. September in Pienza sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) to allow time to drive to Siena.

For traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Siena trip itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Pienza to Siena in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. You will leave for Montepulciano on the 2nd (Fri).

Perched on a limestone ridge in the heart of Tuscany, Montepulciano is known worldwide for its production of red wine, the Vino Noble.

On the 2nd (Fri), don't miss a visit to Piazza Grande a Montepulciano.

To see more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read Montepulciano trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from Siena to Montepulciano takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 19°C. On the 2nd (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Bagni di San Filippo.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): appreciate the extensive heritage of Via Francigena, then admire the sheer force of Le Sorgenti dell'Ermicciolo, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Fosso Bianco - Bagni San Filippo.

To see photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Bagni di San Filippo trip website.

Drive from Montepulciano to Bagni di San Filippo in an hour. September in Bagni di San Filippo sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Siena.

To find reviews, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Siena travel route planning site.

Drive from Bagni di San Filippo to Siena in 1.5 hours. You will leave for Modena on the 3rd (Sat).

Deemed the Capital of Engines, Modena is the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari and the headquarters of Italian sports cars.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Acetaia Giuseppe Giusti, then examine the collection at Museo Ferrari, then push the limits with an extreme tour, and finally see the interesting displays at Casa Museo Luciano Pavarotti. Keep things going the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Duomo di Modena, then examine the collection at MEF-Museo Enzo Ferrari, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Acetaia Villa San Donnino, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Piazza Grande - World Heritage Site.

For more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Modena online driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Siena to Modena in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In September in Modena, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive back home.