Kiwi Curated
Exploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
by Joy PecknoldIf Italy only had the top of its boot shape to work with, travelers would still be very well-taken care of. The northern part of the country is a diverse landscape of delights—culturally rich cities, towering mountains, sparkling lakes, sunny beaches, rolling vineyards. Herein, we explore some of Northern Italy’s top spots to help you chart your course.
Exploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
Home to one of the big four fashion weeks and the world’s largest furniture design fair, Milan is a must, especially for aesthetes. Fresh off a full renovation and celebrating its 20th anniversary, Park Hyatt Milano makes a stylish resting place. Steps from the Duomo, the hotel’s neutral color palette takes inspiration from the iconic cathedral. After a day of sightseeing, change into your best cocktail attire for drinks at the hotel’s renowned bar, Mio Lab.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
On the balmiest days in Milan, you’ll be happy you made Hotel VIU Milan your home away from home—it’s got one of the best rooftop pools in the city, rave-reviewed terrace bar included. While the bites are delicious up top, guests won’t want to miss indulging in one of Giancarlo Morelli’s multi-course meals. Book a seat at the Friend’s Table, inside the kitchen, to immersive yourself in the magic. “Sì, cuoco.”
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
A two-hour train ride east of Milan, fair Verona is where we next lay our scene, also known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Here, Vista Palazzo Verona has dramatic interiors to match the city of love—from sunny yellow to the moody green of Verde Alpi marble. After all the romantic strolling all over town, recover with a glass of wine on the rooftop or a visit to the Turkish bath.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
A little more than an hour east of Verona is the canal city of all canal cities, Venice. Near Piazza San Marco, you’ll find Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione, a 16th-century inn made luxurious to align with present-day standards. Dine near water level at Le Maschere or head up to Altana for rooftop views. To explore those canals, they’ll arrange for a gondola or water taxi to pick you up from the hotel’s private dock.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
The mountains are calling and you must go? Head north into the Dolomites, otherwise known as the Italian Alps, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. In the village of Ortisei, you’ll find Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa. Here, indulge in jaw-dropping activities, such as hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, spa pampering anytime and feasting whenever required—the hotel has its own Michelin-starred restaurant Anna Stuben.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
Retreat even further into South Tyrol and put yourself above the clouds. Combining three modern towers with a restored Alpine chateau, FORESTIS is about being one with nature. The minimalist-style rooms with big picture windows put all the focus on the staggering mountain views outside. Spa treatments, dining, seasonal experiences, everything here is shaped by natural elements.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
For a perfect transition from mountain life to lake life, escape to Lake Garda, specifically Lefay Resort & SPA Lago de Garda, which sits perched above the body of water on a lush hillside. This eco-friendly resort is all about restoration—from the Exclusive Suites with private lake-view Jacuzzis to the expansive spa which blends Eastern and Western medicines and healing modalities.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
Arguably the most famous lake in Italy, Lake Como brims with bucket-list accommodations and that includes Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa. The lavishly restored 19th century villa sits right on the waterfront and the suites that face that side provide guests the opportunity to sip their morning coffee, bathe or both with the sparkling lake in view. With a spa, beach club, restaurants and bars all onsite, you won’t feel the need to rush anywhere else.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
The coastline of the crescent-shaped Liguria region is known as the Italian Riviera. In Rapallo, near Portofino, Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort has hosted guests since 1904, which makes this year their 120th anniversary. It has, of course, kept up with the times, including adding a beach club just a three-minute complimentary shuttle ride away so you have the option of cooling off in the pool or the sea. The resort also has a new executive chef, Andrea Cannalire, who brings a Michelin Star history with him.
VIEW HOTELExploring Northern Italy: 8 Essential Stops
At the foot of the Alps, bordering France and Switzerland, Piedmont is a region renowned for its wine and dining. Those interested in these delicious pursuits will be more than happy hunkering down at Villa La Madonna. The family owned boutique hotel and vineyard even invites guests to learn firsthand about the grape harvest and rewards you with a long table lunch among the vines. If you don’t happen to visit in the fall, you can also wine taste in their 17th century cellar or, when the weather’s especially balmy, poolside for intermittent refreshing dips.
VIEW HOTELHome to one of the big four fashion weeks and the world’s largest furniture design fair, Milan is a must, especially for aesthetes. Fresh off a full renovation and celebrating its 20th anniversary, Park Hyatt Milano makes a stylish resting place. Steps from the Duomo, the hotel’s neutral color palette takes inspiration from the iconic cathedral. After a day of sightseeing, change into your best cocktail attire for drinks at the hotel’s renowned bar, Mio Lab.
VIEW HOTELOn the balmiest days in Milan, you’ll be happy you made Hotel VIU Milan your home away from home—it’s got one of the best rooftop pools in the city, rave-reviewed terrace bar included. While the bites are delicious up top, guests won’t want to miss indulging in one of Giancarlo Morelli’s multi-course meals. Book a seat at the Friend’s Table, inside the kitchen, to immersive yourself in the magic. “Sì, cuoco.”
VIEW HOTELA two-hour train ride east of Milan, fair Verona is where we next lay our scene, also known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Here, Vista Palazzo Verona has dramatic interiors to match the city of love—from sunny yellow to the moody green of Verde Alpi marble. After all the romantic strolling all over town, recover with a glass of wine on the rooftop or a visit to the Turkish bath.
VIEW HOTELA little more than an hour east of Verona is the canal city of all canal cities, Venice. Near Piazza San Marco, you’ll find Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione, a 16th-century inn made luxurious to align with present-day standards. Dine near water level at Le Maschere or head up to Altana for rooftop views. To explore those canals, they’ll arrange for a gondola or water taxi to pick you up from the hotel’s private dock.
VIEW HOTELThe mountains are calling and you must go? Head north into the Dolomites, otherwise known as the Italian Alps, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. In the village of Ortisei, you’ll find Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa. Here, indulge in jaw-dropping activities, such as hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, spa pampering anytime and feasting whenever required—the hotel has its own Michelin-starred restaurant Anna Stuben.
VIEW HOTELRetreat even further into South Tyrol and put yourself above the clouds. Combining three modern towers with a restored Alpine chateau, FORESTIS is about being one with nature. The minimalist-style rooms with big picture windows put all the focus on the staggering mountain views outside. Spa treatments, dining, seasonal experiences, everything here is shaped by natural elements.
VIEW HOTELFor a perfect transition from mountain life to lake life, escape to Lake Garda, specifically Lefay Resort & SPA Lago de Garda, which sits perched above the body of water on a lush hillside. This eco-friendly resort is all about restoration—from the Exclusive Suites with private lake-view Jacuzzis to the expansive spa which blends Eastern and Western medicines and healing modalities.
VIEW HOTELArguably the most famous lake in Italy, Lake Como brims with bucket-list accommodations and that includes Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa. The lavishly restored 19th century villa sits right on the waterfront and the suites that face that side provide guests the opportunity to sip their morning coffee, bathe or both with the sparkling lake in view. With a spa, beach club, restaurants and bars all onsite, you won’t feel the need to rush anywhere else.
VIEW HOTELThe coastline of the crescent-shaped Liguria region is known as the Italian Riviera. In Rapallo, near Portofino, Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort has hosted guests since 1904, which makes this year their 120th anniversary. It has, of course, kept up with the times, including adding a beach club just a three-minute complimentary shuttle ride away so you have the option of cooling off in the pool or the sea. The resort also has a new executive chef, Andrea Cannalire, who brings a Michelin Star history with him.
VIEW HOTELAt the foot of the Alps, bordering France and Switzerland, Piedmont is a region renowned for its wine and dining. Those interested in these delicious pursuits will be more than happy hunkering down at Villa La Madonna. The family owned boutique hotel and vineyard even invites guests to learn firsthand about the grape harvest and rewards you with a long table lunch among the vines. If you don’t happen to visit in the fall, you can also wine taste in their 17th century cellar or, when the weather’s especially balmy, poolside for intermittent refreshing dips.
VIEW HOTEL