My trip to northern Italy 2024

Report on My Trip to Northern Italy:

**Duration:** From October 1 to October 16

I applied for the Italian visa myself, and it took 5 working days. They granted me a 4-year visa duration.

The tickets were booked through Etihad Airways from Dammam to Milan, costing 1,600 SAR per person.

I rented a car from Europcar for 730 USD, which included delivery fees at a different location. The deposit was 500 Euros and was refunded the day after returning the car.

I used the AutoEurope website, which I find to be the best intermediary for car rentals. What distinguishes them is that the insurance is direct from the company and not from a third party. The rental period was from October 1, picking up the car at Milan Airport and returning it on October 12 at the Europcar office near the first train station.

When I arrived, the car I had reserved, a Peugeot 3008, was unavailable, and they provided me with a similar alternative. They informed me that the insurance was included, and the border fees were paid (which I didn't know was included in the amount).

I picked up the car at 8 AM and headed to Como for a two-night stay.

I stayed at Lakeview Cabin, which cost me 494 Euros. The apartment had two rooms; the second room was small but had a direct view of Lake Como and was fully equipped. It is about a 10-minute drive from Como's center, and there is a ferry station a minute's walk away that takes you to the center for 3 Euros round trip.

**Day One:**

I dedicated the entire day to the center. Lunch was at Cervo Restaurant overlooking the lake, and the food was delicious, costing us about 40 Euros for two.

**Day Two:**

I went to Bellagio and Varenna, the villages overlooking the lake. I drove to Bellagio, which took about an hour and fifteen minutes. I do not recommend driving there at all; the road is mountainous and very narrow, requiring a lot of focus. Many times, the road only accommodates one car. We planned to visit Lugano, but we ran out of time.

I relied heavily on cooking in the apartment, shopping at a halal supermarket. Here is its location, and there are several halal supermarkets on the street to choose from:

[Halal Supermarkets Location](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vnhaFoy9czsxMFv1A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy)

**Day Three:** Departure and heading to Ortisei

We woke up early and headed to Lugano, which was about a 45-minute drive. We visited Mini Switzerland, which is worth the visit if you are in Como, and then we headed to Ortisei. The estimated time to reach Ortisei was less than 5 hours, but we faced a closure on the A4 highway that caused a significant delay of over 7 hours. We entered villages and rough roads, passing through farms and heavy rain. The road was very exhausting, and thankfully we arrived safely.

The northern Italian countryside, Ortisei, and its surroundings. I stayed at Cesa Marmolada for four nights, costing me 640 Euros.

The apartment had one bedroom and was equipped with a kitchen and sauna. It is located in a high area, providing a wonderful view of Ortisei. They gave me 4 free tickets for public transportation (and a ticket for the open swimming pool, which I didn't know where it was and didn't use).

The drawbacks of the apartment were that it was on a corridor for other apartments, meaning you couldn't open the curtains if you had family with you. The balcony was external and shared, but each apartment has its own designated space on the balcony, which is far from the other apartments.

**Day One:**

- Ortisei center

- We visited the Rivaiano waterfall; the parking was far from it, and we tried several ways to reach it but couldn't.

- The Pyramid Land in Renon had no parking, and we couldn't find a place to stop.

- Lake Wolfsgruben is relatively small, and most places are reserved for nearby hotels. There were no activities there.

- I went to Bolzano to shop for chicken and meat. 

For me, the three places were not worth the visit.

**Day Two:**

- Tervila waterfall is beautiful, but the parking is about a 20-minute walk uphill.

- The Sella Road is very beautiful, with a view of the Dolomites.

- We ended the day in Ortisei center and had dinner at a restaurant called Fidel, costing us 50 Euros. The food was delicious (but we noticed that the prices were different from the menu, and when I asked them, they said that the menu prices were old; I don't know if they raised the prices or if their statement was true).

**Day Three:**

- Lake Braies is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. We found the closest parking to the lake at number 4 and 3. We parked at number 4, which is the closest, costing 16 Euros for three hours. We took a private boat for 50 Euros for 45 minutes, along with two souvenirs.

- We visited the Loacker factory, which is good for gifts and has many varieties.

- We visited the San Candido slide.

**Day Four:**

- The Ortisei cable car is beautiful and worth visiting. There is parking next to it, but I didn't use it as it was close to the accommodation, and I walked there. There is an escalator that goes directly to the center.

- Shopping in the center.

**Day Five:** Departure and heading to Zillertal

We passed by the village of Foppiano, which has free parking nearby and is worth a visit. If you finish there, you will go up to a higher area, and the descent will be tiring, about a 40-minute walk. There is a bus that descends every half hour. We used the card we got from the hotel, but they also have payment available by card for 2 Euros. From there, we headed to Zillertal; the border was a bit crowded, and before reaching the accommodation, we visited the Amst slide. We didn't notice it closed on October 6 until we arrived. We spent time at the Tok supermarket, which had halal meat and chicken.

**Day Six:**

Zillertal Valley is, for me, the best area in Austria. I stayed in Hart im Zillertal for three nights at Perfect Lodgings apartments. The apartments are luxurious, and the view of Zillertal Valley is amazing. The accommodation is located in a high area, and there is nothing around you. The stay cost me 465 Euros.

- We visited the Talbach waterfall and the Harter waterfall.

- We visited Lake Achensee, which we had been to before, but the weather was wonderful, and we didn't miss the opportunity to take a boat tour for two for 54 Euros. The electric boat was closed.

**Day Seven:**

We visited Krimml waterfall and Lake Hintersee, and we passed through the center of Zell am See.

**Day Eight:**

Departure from Zillertal to Riva del Garda. On our way, we passed by Lake Molveno, which is very beautiful and worth visiting. I stayed at Residence Marina. The accommodation was average and clean, but it is distinguished by its view of Lake Garda, which was beautiful. It is located on a small hill, and walking to the center takes about 20 minutes, costing us 220 Euros.

- We explored the center on the first day.

- On the second day, we spent it in Limone sul Garda. The village is very beautiful and has many gift shops. We bought most of our gifts from there, and then we returned to Riva del Garda center to complete the rest of the day.

**Day Nine:** Departure to Milan. We visited the city of Verona, walked around, and didn't stay long, about an hour and a half. We returned the car and checked that the insurance was included. They asked me if the car was full, and I said yes. They checked it, and I received the report later that there was a scratch, but the insurance covered it, and I got the full deposit back the next day.

The remaining days were spent in Milan. 

In Milan, I stayed at a B&B opposite the train station. The hotel was clean, and their service was excellent, close to the train and metro station. 

We visited Venice, which, in my opinion, is not worth a repeat visit due to the crowd and old buildings. For transportation within Milan, we relied on the metro and bought an unlimited travel ticket for three days for 15 Euros per person. If your stay in Milan is for two days or less and your travels are limited, I recommend getting a single journey ticket for 2.2 Euros for the outbound and the same for the return.

All my hotel bookings were made through the official hotel website or by contacting them via email, which is the best way to get lower prices.

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