Short Trip to Italy: These Three Places Offer Pure Dolce Vita

Italy is always worth a trip – and especially for a short getaway, the country offers countless exciting places that perfectly combine culture, nature, and cuisine. In this post, I’m introducing three beautiful destinations we explored over the past two years. From the sun-kissed coasts of Liguria to the little-known hill country of Veneto and all the way to the picturesque Lake Orta in Piedmont – these three places provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable break. Come along on a journey of discovery through Northern Italy and let yourself be inspired.

The Euganean Hills in Veneto

I discovered the Euganean Hills south of Padua rather by chance last spring. While looking for a special accommodation in Padua, I clicked through various hotel portals and finally stopped at the Bed & Breakfast La Mugletta (partner link). It is located only about a 20-minute drive from Padua, on the edge of the “Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei.” Since last year, the approximately 18,500-hectare regional park has been part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and is a popular recreational area for the people of Padua. Beyond that, the fascinating volcanic landscape that seems to rise out of nowhere from the Po Valley is still an insider tip. At least in my circle of friends, this travel destination caused puzzled looks. Because the three rooms of the B&B were already fully booked over Easter, we postponed our short trip to the height of summer and set off for four days in Veneto at the beginning of August.

The B&B La Mugletta is the ideal starting point for exploring the natural landscapes of the Euganean Hills either on hiking trails or by bike. At the same time, you can take day trips to the old towns of Vicenza and Padua – or even plan a side trip to Venice. The hosts of La Mugletta, Ulla and Eberhard, provide their guests with valuable tips, whether it’s choosing the trattoria with the best view over the hilly landscape or recommending wineries where you can sample the local wines.

The guest rooms at La Mugletta are simple and functional. The heart of the house is the communal salotto with a kitchen, large dining table, and cozy seating around the fireplace. This is complemented by a spacious, natural garden that invites you to linger.

Because it was much too hot for extended hikes during our stay in August, we took it easy. Over the four days, we did:

• • a visit to Villa Barbarigo and ventured into the oldest surviving boxwood labyrinth in the world,

• • a morning in Padua, strolling through the city and visiting the botanical garden,

• • a walk through the old town of Vicenza to admire the elegant buildings,

• • a side trip to Trattoria Teresa Di Bressan Loretta to enjoy the impressive view over the volcanic hills,

• • relaxed hours in the garden of La Mugletta, where we lost ourselves in our books.

If, like us, you have a fondness for Michelin-starred cuisine, I can also recommend a stop at the 3-star Le Calandre restaurant in Rubano (a suburb of Padua). Another culinary highlight was dining at La Peca in Lonigo (2 stars, about 40 minutes towards Vicenza).

Our Accommodation Tip in the Euganean Hills

Bed and Breakfast La Mugletta in Feriole (partner link), room rates from 245 euros per night including breakfast.

Lake Orta in Piedmont

At the beginning of October, we spent a wonderfully sunny family weekend at Lake Orta. Our goal of finding a destination that would offer something for both children and hiking enthusiasts was fully met here. The smallest lake in Northern Italy impresses with a wealth of sights, varied hiking trails, and breathtaking viewpoints.

You’ll find most tourists in Orta San Giulio. A side trip to Chiesa del Sacro Monte di Orta is particularly worthwhile – from there you can enjoy a magnificent view of the offshore Isola San Giulio.

You don’t necessarily need a car to get from A to B here. In the summer season, several boats operate on the lake, allowing you to conveniently travel from one village to the next. Alternatively, the eastern side of the lake is connected to the Domodossola–Novara railway line.

We checked in at the Hotel Ristorante Giardinetto (partner link), which sits right on the lake and close to the boat landing in Pettenasco. This family-friendly 4-star hotel offers a good standard and stands out for its direct lake access. If you like, you can jump into Lake Orta right after arrival or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the area from the water.

This is what we did during our three-day stay at Lake Orta:

• • Hike from Omegna to Pettenasco.

• • Circular hike from Pettenasco to Monte Barro with a wonderful view over Lake Orta, including a stop at the fantastic Hostaria 3 Tigli (here’s the route description on Komoot).

• • Swimming in Lake Orta (and in the hotel pool) as well as extended stand-up paddle tours.

• • Boat trip from Pettenasco to Orta San Giulio with a stop at Isola di San Giulio.

• • Excursion to Sacro Monte di Orta.

Our Accommodation Tips at Lake Orta

Hotel Ristorante Giardinetto (partner link) in Pettenasco. Room rates start at about 116 euros per night. The hotel is open seasonally (from April to the end of October).

Above Orta San Giulio lies the “La Darbia Resort” (partner link). I added this slightly more exclusive resort with an enviable lake view to my shortlist for a short trip to Italy some time ago. So far, it hasn’t worked out schedule-wise. Room rates start at around 330 euros per night here.

Baia delle Favole in Liguria

My memories of our wonderful stay in the Baia delle Favole on the Ligurian coast between Genoa and La Spezia are still fresh. Right after Christmas, we traveled by train from Zurich to Liguria and made a two-day stop at the Casa Pernice (partner link) in Cavi di Lavagna, right next to Sestri Levante.

The Bed & Breakfast is located above the town center and is about a ten-minute walk from the bus stop Via Aurelia, Cavi Borgo. However, the friendly hosts, Giorgia and Davide, are also happy to pick you up in style with their Fiat at the Sestri Levante train station. Before this, they had already run a guesthouse near Como on Lake Como. However, they had to look for alternatives because their landlord there had other plans.

Once you arrive, you don’t really want to leave. Yet from here, you could go on wonderful hikes in all directions, explore the (pebble) beaches along the coast of the Gulf of Tigullio, or stroll through the historic center of Sestri Levante. A highlight here is the Baia del Silenzio. However, there’s a big difference depending on whether you visit in the off-season or during the high season, as we were told on site.

If you want to soak up some sun between November and March, you’ll definitely find your happy place here.

Our Accommodation Tips at Baia delle Favole

The Casa Pernice in Lavagna (partner link) is open year-round. Room rates from 300 euros per night including breakfast (with many products from their own garden).

Alternatively, from mid-April to the end of October, the iconic Hotel Helvetia in Sestri Levante (partner link) entices with a postcard view of the Baia del Silenzio. Room rates here start at 380 euros per night.