Your Perfect Fall 10-Day Itinerary in Northern Italy

Fly into Milan and drive three hours north to Ortisei, your base for exploring South Tyrol’s unique blend of Austrian and Italian culture. I recommend staying at Gardena Grodnerhof Hotel and Spa because it consistently earns excellent reviews from international travelers for its elegant rooms, spa facilities, and authentic alpine breakfast. The hotel sits in a prime location in Ortisei, so you can walk to restaurants and the cable car station. Alternative options include local chalets, but Gardena Grodnerhof offers the comfort and spa amenities that matter when you’re coordinating seasonal timings and want to relax after mountain activities.

Arrive by mid-afternoon and take the Seceda cable car for your first introduction to the Dolomites and fall colors. The cable cars stop running around October 15, so October timing is crucial for accessing these viewpoints before the ski season. Seceda offers spectacular views of the Odle peaks and Val Gardena without requiring serious hiking. This region is famous for its larches - deciduous conifers that turn brilliant gold in the fall. You’ll also see the dramatic limestone peaks that make the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Start early with the Alpe di Siusi cable car, which takes you to Europe’s largest alpine meadow surrounded by fall foliage and dramatic Dolomite peaks. This area provides amazing hiking opportunities with trails for every fitness level, plus you’ll experience South Tyrol’s unique culture where German is the primary language and Austrian traditions dominate.

I specifically recommend the Resciesa area because it offers well-maintained trails through mixed forests showing beautiful autumn colors, plus mountain huts serving authentic South Tyrolean food. The Gostner Schwaige hut in Alpe di Suisi serves excellent speck (smoked ham) and local cheeses with mountain views. Most tourists stick to the main cable car stations, but exploring the trail network gives you a more complete alpine experience.

Reserve dinner at Restaurant Tubladel, which offers excellent South Tyrolean cuisine with regional specialties. This restaurant provides authentic local dining with new wine tastings paired with roasted chestnuts and traditional dishes. I recommend Restaurant Tubladel over tourist-oriented restaurants because it maintains a genuine local character and consistently receives excellent reviews from both locals and visitors.

Take the Col Raiser cable car for different perspectives of the Dolomites and surrounding valleys with their fall colors. This area offers some of the most photographed mountain views in South Tyrol, but attracts fewer crowds than Seceda. The ridge walk provides panoramic views and helps you understand why this region attracts serious hikers and climbers from across Europe.

Spend your afternoon exploring Ortisei’s town center and visiting a local woodcarving workshop. South Tyrol is famous for traditional woodcarving, and seeing artisans work helps you understand the region’s cultural heritage beyond just the scenery. The town also offers excellent shopping for outdoor gear and local specialties. This provides a good alternative activity if mountain weather turns poor.

Use this evening for dinner at another local restaurant to try different regional specialties. South Tyrolean cuisine offers distinct dishes like schlutzkrapfen (spinach-filled pasta) or apple strudel made with valley apples. October’s timing puts you right in the heart of harvest season, so restaurants feature seasonal ingredients and traditional preparations that reflect the region’s cultural heritage.

Drive three hours south to Cogne in Aosta Valley. Time your arrival for the Devétéya é Féra de Cogne (the local patois name for the "Cow Descent and Fair"), the traditional cow descent festival that typically occurs in early October. This authentic celebration welcomes herds back from summer pastures and represents genuine Alpine culture rather than tourism marketing.

Stay at Bellevue Hotel & Spa, which locals use for special occasions, indicating consistent quality. The hotel’s spa uses local Alpine herbs and spring water, providing authentic relaxation after your drive. Alternative option is La Madonnina del Gran Paradiso, a family-run property that serves excellent regional food using local ingredients.

The cow festival features decorated animals parading through town—the “Reina di cornes” (queen of horns) leads with red decorations while the “Reina di lacé” (queen of milk) follows in white. This represents working culture rather than performance, making it particularly meaningful for travelers seeking authentic experiences.

Take the easy trail in Valnontey Valley to experience Italy’s oldest national park. This valley offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including ibex and marmots, plus well-maintained trails suitable for various fitness levels. The autumn timing means comfortable hiking temperatures and fewer insects.

I recommend the hike to Rifugio Vittorio Sella if you want more challenge. This mountain hut sits at 2,584 meters and provides spectacular views of Gran Paradiso peak. The trail gains significant elevation gain but remains well-marked and popular enough to feel safe for international visitors.

Visit Paradisia Alpine Garden if the weather turns poor. This botanical garden showcases high-altitude plants with detailed information in multiple languages, making it educational rather than just scenic.

Explore Cogne’s traditional architecture and visit the local iron mine museum if you’re interested in the region’s industrial history. The town developed around iron mining, and understanding this context helps explain the local culture and building styles.

Use the hotel spa for relaxation, or take gentle walks around Sant’Orso’s meadows. These vast meadows in the town center are unusual for alpine communities and provide easy walking with mountain views. The contrast between the intimate town and the expansive meadows makes Cogne particularly photogenic.

Try fontina fonduta at Bar à Fromage, restaurant de montagne for an elevated fine dining experience. This melted cheese dish originated in Aosta Valley and tastes best when made with local Alpine milk. Bar à Fromage specializes in regional cheese preparations and sources ingredients directly from valley farms, making it the ideal place to experience this traditional dish prepared with modern culinary techniques.

Drive to Lake Orta, choosing either La Darbia (vineyard setting with family-made wine) or Laqua by the Lake. Both properties offer excellent reviews and authentic regional food. Lake Orta’s timing works perfectly because chestnut forests reach peak color between October 15–25.

Take the afternoon boat to Isola San Giulio. This small island features Benedictine nuns who maintain medieval gardens and architecture. The island’s single circular street takes about 20 minutes to walk, making it manageable even for travelers with limited time. The silence that rules parts of the island creates an unusually peaceful atmosphere.

Climb to Sacro Monte through chestnut forests. This UNESCO World Heritage site features twenty chapels with Renaissance frescoes that tell religious stories. The path offers excellent lake views and takes you through the autumn chestnut groves that make this region famous for seasonal foods.

The walk takes about 2–3 hours round trip with moderate elevation gain. I recommend morning timing for better light and fewer crowds. Pack water and snacks, as services are limited on the mountain.

Spend your afternoon in Orta’s town center, which maintains authentic Italian village life without heavy tourism pressure. The Wednesday market at Piazza Motta offers regional products at local prices, not tourist markup.

Take a day trip to Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands if you want to see Italy’s most famous lake gardens. The boat connections from Stresa work well for day trips, and the timing allows you to see both Isola Bella and Isola Madre.

Alternatively, stay around Lake Orta for more relaxed exploration. Walk the lakeside path to neighboring villages, rent a boat for lake exploration, or simply enjoy the pace that makes Orta special among Italian lakes.

The evening should focus on regional food specialties, particularly risotto made with local Carnaroli rice and chestnuts prepared in traditional Piemontese styles. Taverna Antico Agnello offers excellent examples of these regional dishes. Local restaurants source ingredients from nearby farms, ensuring authenticity.

Stop in Borgomanero for its weekly market (if timing works with your departure day) or detour through Bergamo’s Alta’s medieval center. Both options provide a gentle transition back to the urban environment while offering final tastes of authentic northern Italian culture.

Borgomanero’s market showcases regional specialties without tourist pricing, making it good for last-minute gift shopping. Bergamo Alta offers impressive medieval architecture and authentic aperitivo culture, plus it’s directly connected to Milan’s transit system.

Time your departure based on flight schedules, but both towns provide reasonable stopping points without adding significant travel time to Milan airports.