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Northern Italy Family Holiday

8 days | piazzas, pizzas and pisa, plus plenty more.

Explore the delights of Italy on a family-focused cultural exploration of the best sights and finest food that Italy has to offer on this eight-day tour of the country’s best. Get exploring in the winding canal maze of Venice, dip your toes in the ocean by the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline, make and taste authentic Italian pesto, savour delicious Tuscan cuisine, get the perfect snap of the Learning Tower of Pisa and try as much gelato as you can (how many flavours can the kids try before you leave?). There’s something for all ages in Italy as you whisk through Venice to Rome on this family escapade – now that’s amore!

Trip overview

• Try your hand at mask-making in Venice at a locally specialised Venetian Atelier, ready to help your family discover this unusual art form for yourselves.
• Test your family’s fitness with a hike on the renowned paths of the Cinque Terre, then test the kids’ culinary skills with a hands-on pesto-making class in Levanto. Yum!
• Oh, and did we mention the food? During your family’s adventure-filled days, be sure to try as many Venetian, Tuscan and Roman favourites you can – your group leader will have a heap of suggestions.
• Head to the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa to take photos with your family, including the classic “here’s me holding up the tower!” shot.
• Spend a full day exploring Florence – the city of the Renaissance and the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region – and discover the gorgeous Duomo, plenty of pizza places and Michelangelo’s David.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
• The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Italian trains are comfortable and all have toilets. Please note that you will have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.
• Summer temperatures can be extreme in many regions of Italy (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
• Please note that rooms in Europe can seem rather small by American or Australian standards and often there are no double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Venice with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years – is literally sinking under the weight of its sights. If you arrive early, there are plenty of things to keep you and the family busy. Take a walk around the maze of streets behind Piazza San Marco and begin to understand the complex canal system of Venice. The Grand Canal is a great place to start, as you can stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. After the meeting, enjoy dinner with the other families at a local restaurant.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you are interested in visiting the Doge Palace, Venice, we strongly suggest planning your visit before welcome meeting as there is very little time on Day 2 and pre-book your tickets at https://muve.vivaticket.it/en/tour/palazzo-ducale/2478?qubsq=8cd3daed-1b9e-4df0-a209-4833f9c62371&qubsp=279989d9-9291-44b1-899f-169c3d93c415&qubsts=1716888509&qubsc=bestunion&qubse=vivaticketserver&qubsrt=Safetynet&qubsh=7cb44c49d26eb092de1552a748b8ae4c

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

After breakfast, venture out with the family and explore Venice on an orientation walk. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Wander around at the Doge’s Palace, the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, taking in the views of the waterways as you go. Then, take a quick gondola ride over to Rialto – the heart of the city. Take some free time to explore the city and consider catching a Vaporetto (water bus) to San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for a panoramic view of Venice. Otherwise, travelling down the Grand Canal via Venetian gondola is a great way to immerse yourself in the waterside culture, or the Palazzo Ducale overflows with paintings from Italian masters, making it well worth a visit. Meet up again in the afternoon at the private workshop of a professional mask maker, where you’ll learn to make your own mask using traditional working methods treasured by the people of the city.

• Venice - Traghetto Ride
• Venice - Venetian Mask Making Class
• Venice - Leader led orientation walk

Take a morning trip to the Italian Riviera – a region studded with tree-coated mountainsides and colourful townships sitting in the background of the tranquil Ligurian Sea. The first stop on this trip is Levanto – nestled between a thickly wooded valley and the ocean. During your stay here, chop and blend up basil, olive oil and other ingredients as you enjoy an authentic pesto-making class with a local family. Once you’ve grasped these traditional Italian culinary techniques, cooking at home will undoubtedly become that much better!

• Cinque Terre - 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' Making & Demonstration

Venture out on the footpaths of Cinque Terre – a region of Italy famed for its coastline and pastel villages on sharp cliff faces. These paths weave between the villages past olive groves and vineyards and on to idyllic, breathtaking vistas. You can walk just a few sections if you like – all available paths offer excellent views of the majestic scenery. Otherwise, you’re also more than welcome to take a train from village to village if you’d prefer to put your feet up and relax.

• Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
• Cinque Terre - Coastal Cruise - EUR41

Remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. The walking distance will depend on which option you choose – Corniglia to Vernazza (2.5 hours, easy and flat) or Vernazza to Monterosso (3 hours, across uneven surfaces and stairs). A good level of fitness is recommended should you choose this walk.

Due to recent landslides in the area, it is currently not possible to walk the Via dell'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola and the coastal section between Manarola and Corniglia. These sections will be passed by train instead. Please also note that, due to safety reasons, some sections of any path can be closed at short notice.

Spend some time relaxing on the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline – maybe go for a dip in the water or source some fresh local seafood. After, take an early afternoon train to Florence, stopping at Pisa along the way. Enjoy some time to explore the Piazza dei Miracoli (the Miracles square) while taking in the intricately structured architecture of Duomo Cathedral, Piazza Del Duomo and of course, the World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Grab the iconic photo with your kids (does it look like they’re pinching the tower?) When you’ve seen the sights, carry on to Florence and maybe spend the night walking around the Duomo or searching for the best pizza.

• Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk

This morning, head out on a leader-led orientation walk in Florence and take in the beauty of this art haven. Stop at Piazzale Michelangelo and then enjoy a free afternoon to see the sights at your own pace. The kids might like to go on the hunt for a refreshing gelato, or if the family is seeking out more art, there are plenty of museums to check out. Maybe visit the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art in itself. If you want to see Michelangelo's iconic statue of David, head to the Galleria dell' Accademia. In the evening, maybe climb back up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a renowned sunset view across the rooftops.

• Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk

If you are interested in visiting the Galleria Uffizi and Galleria dell'Accademia , we strongly suggest planning your visit in the afternoon and pre-booking your tickets at https://firenzemusei.it/

Take a train to Rome this morning – home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Colosseum. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you see some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum, the Victor Emmanuel Monument, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, via dei Condotti and the Spanish Steps. The kids will love what comes next – a gelato tasting! Hunt for the best flavour in this City of Seven Hills and then enjoy a free night. You might like to rejoin the other families and find the best spot for dinner. Maybe head to Trastevere and find a little candlelit table to cheers to a trip well-travelled.

• Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
• Vatican City - Vatican Museum - EUR22

Check the Vatican website for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can and should be booked online at biglietteriamusei.vatican.va. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and free but expect huge crowds. Tickets for Galleria Borghese can also be booked online at galleriaborghese.it. The best day to visit will be today. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica and its dome.

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, and visit the Vatican or take a tour of the Colosseum, just speak to your booking agent.

If you are interested in visiting the Colosseum, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at https://colosseo.it/en/opening-times-and-tickets/

If you are interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html

7 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Train, taxi

Hotels (7 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.

As of April 2024, Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 25 April and 15 July 2024. This fee is not payable by Intrepid customers, however you will need to apply for an exemption before arrival at https://cda.comune.venezia.it/en/richiestaEsenzione . For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Check back later or explore reviews for similar trips.

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My sister and I had a wonderful trip to Italy thanks to our travel agent. He accommodated our specific requests and put together a very busy itinerary that allowed us to see a great deal in 11 days, which is exactly what we wanted. He selected individual tours that were excellent and offered more than the typical tours I have experienced in Italy. That made a big difference to the quality of our experience. Our travel agent's hotel choices met our request very nicely, all being well priced and well located, and providing excellent customer service. Zicasso’s agent was always available for questions and clarifications, and he put together a last-minute add-on trip for us which was very special. We truly appreciated his customer service and attention to detail, and highly recommend him for your travel needs.

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Our trip was outstanding. There were six of us, three being teenagers, so transportation was important. Having the private drivers worked out very well and Zicasso’s tour operator was so quick to add transport when needed. The private tours were exceptional and the guides always found us quickly. They were always outstanding. The accommodations were wonderful. The lovely hotel in Rome and its fantastic location within walking distance of so many historic places, as well as the breakfast buffet, was fabulous. The same delights were found in Sorrento. I appreciated the WhatsApp connection and the ease of contacting our tour operator when needed. It was so very helpful! It was a dream trip for me and my family, and our highest expectations were met every step of the way. We will always treasure the memories.

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Our trip could not have been better! Our Zicasso trip planner and her team lived up to all expectations. Consultation through the trip design process, execution of the plans we made, and then monitoring and managing the trip as it was occurring were all handled extremely well. It was clear our trip planner caters to a higher-end traveler who prefers accommodations, activities, and related logistics to be handled with care and made as seamless as possible. We even had a late-notice change of a guide due to a personal health situation and the "substitute" guide was not only awesome, but had all the related info and logistical information to make the experience just perfect. Thanks to our trip planner and her team for a wonderful experience!

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Zicasso’s travel company was outstanding. I highly recommend our travel agent. She listened to our ideas and provided good ones of her own based on her wealth of experience living and traveling in Italy. Every tour she planned was educational and enjoyable. The drivers she reserved for us were safe and drove comfortable cars. We especially appreciated having the train and tour tickets all purchased ahead of time and the car rental and hotels prepaid. Our agent even checked us in ahead of time for the one train that required check-in. She also found perfect, well-run hotels and inns for us, located within five to 10 minutes of restaurants. We would use our agent again in a heartbeat.

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We have used Zicasso for the past decade to find us perfect travel partners for all of our annual international vacations. This is the second time they teamed with this tour company. The first time, on very short notice, our travel agent rescued our multigenerational family vacation after our original Irish travel agency went bankrupt during the pandemic. This time, she helped plan a wraparound vacation to augment a hiking trip we booked for the Amalfi Coast. We explored Naples and Malta for over 10 days. For me, a significant part of the enjoyment is working on the plan for the vacation ahead of time so that everything is just right when we depart. Our agent was a great listener. That, combined with her patience, expert knowledge, and attention to detail, resulted in a fantastic vacation. All the connections were seamless, all the guides timely, and all the hotels exactly what we wanted. Even the restaurant recommendations in Malta were spot-on for two foodies. No request was too small and the agency’s in-country support during our travels put us at ease. I've already referred my sister to our agent to help plan her family vacation to Ireland.

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I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to Zicasso’s travel agent and her company. I began the process of planning this trip over a year ago. She walked me through every step and was very patient with me as I changed the itinerary. We had two pre-departure meetings, which were very helpful. Our agent had every detail well planned out and basically organized a dream vacation for my mom and me. It was all well balanced between the touristy sights, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and having time getting lost in the streets. Physically I'm back home, but mentally I'm still in Italy living la dolce vita .

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Zicasso’s tour company attended to every detail of our trip to Italy with evident care and consideration based on our pre-travel discussions. The accommodations, travel arrangements, and, most importantly, the transfers from trains/planes/boats to the places we needed to be were without a hitch. We could not have asked for better, and frankly, it was much better than we anticipated. Our guides were excellent and truly enhanced our experience by relating history and experiences from their native experience.

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Escorted Tours to Italy | Travel to Italy

Perillo Tours has been America’s leader in Italy travel since 1945. The following escorted tours have been enjoyed for over 40 years by more than 750,000 of our guests. Each itinerary . . . activity . . . hotel . . . and meal . . . has been personally selected, continuously innovated, and expertly perfected by Steve Perillo, according to the highest standards of founder Joseph Perillo and Mr. Italy himself – Mario Perillo. Chances are, YOU know someone who’s enjoyed one of our famous Italy tours! We are excited to release some 2025 tours earlier than others based on the exceptional demand we have been receiving for next year. The remainder of our Italy portfolio and other destinations will be added to our website in the next few weeks. 

Starting at $5995

Perillo's Italy North Classic is the largest selling Italy tour in history. Developed in 1975 by Mario Perillo and Lucio Massari, it remains our most popular itinerary today. The 'Continental' tour delivers the identical itinerary (in reverse) but without dinners.

Starting at $5395

Perillo's Italy North Classic is the largest selling Italy tour in history. Developed in 1975 by Mario Perillo and Lucio Massari, it remains our most popular itinerary today. The 'Continental' tour delivers the identical itinerary (in reverse) but without dinners and without Milan.

Starting at $4295

Our Marco Polo Tour is the counterpart to our Vesuvius Tour. One featuring Venice, the other featuring Sorrento. Either way, you can be assured that Steve Perillo has hand-selected every hotel, restaurant, sightseeing experience and guide that will make your vacation the memory of a lifetime.

Lemon trees and vineyards cascade down the terraced cliffs to the sea. Soft sea breezes mix with the scent of fresh basil, tomatoes and olive oil. Capri sparkles in the distance. Welcome to Amalfi! This is a no-holds-barred invitation to live life to the fullest.

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There's no place on earth like Sicily. A true melting pot of cultures, you'll see Greek and Asian influences in the exotic architecture, unique cuisine and faces of her people. If you happen to be of Sicilian heritage, you'll be surprised by how the 'old country' has very much joined the 21st century while retaining its special charm.

This 12-day tour includes 2 of the most beautiful regions of Italy: Campania & Puglia. The south of Italy is known in Italian as the 'Mezzogiorno' (Midday) region; some of the oldest and most important historical towns in Italy are located here as well as some of the best food in all of Italy! You’ll be able to try a margherita pizza in the city where it was invented – Naples! Explore the beautiful region of Puglia which has a culture, history, and a dialect all its own. Discover the Trulli in Alberobello and explore Lecce, also known as the “Florence of the South”. You'll be surprised by how the 'old country' has very much joined the 21st century while retaining its special charm.

Discover the region of Umbria, also known as "the Green Heart of Italy", along with Tuscany and Rome on this new 11 day tour. Enjoy a wine tasting and an unforgettable hands-on cooking class with a Tuscan chef! Go on an exciting truffle hunt with a truffle hunter and his trained dogs. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and discover Gubbio, a well-preserved medieval town dating back to the Etruscan period.

Important: There are many steps and different buildings in Castello di Spaltena, the hotel in Tuscany. Anyone with reduced mobility should consider a different tour.

Starting at $4695

Starting at $4850

Starting at $5875

Perillo's Italy North Classic is the largest selling Italy tour in history. Developed in 1975 by Mario Perillo and Lucio Massari, it remains our most popular itinerary today. This departure will be staying in superior/deluxe  hotels.

Starting at $4950

Starting at $3995

Starting at $3395

The 'Continental' gives you the chance to dine on your own in Italy! Your tour guide will be happy to suggest everything from trattorias to the finest dining experiences.

Starting at $4225

The Renaissance was a rediscovery of classical Greek culture in Italy, and especially Florence.

Michelangelo and Leonard da Vinci were the big names of this period.

But on this deluxe 9-day tour, you’ll also meet the many other creative geniuses of the Renaissance!

Starting at $3295

Due to popular demand this tour is also now available with similar options on additional dates not show here:

• Mar 28 - Apr 4
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If you're looking for a compact and affordable Italy Vacation - Our Vesuvius Tour is perfect! The itinerary is meticulously crafted by Steve Perillo and his team to run like a 'Swiss Watch' and be lots of fun too!

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• Oct 3 - Oct 12
• Oct 17 - Oct 26

On this Perillo tour, you'll experience firsthand the wonders of Northern Italy. This treasure packed tours takes you throughout the celebrated northern gems including Bologna, Rapallo, Stresa, Parma, Venice, Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Portofino, Lugano, Lake Como.

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When you realize all that goes into a travel experience - the hotels, transportation, tickets to various events, food, shopping and more, the Perillo Tours are more than a bargain. The interaction of the small group vacationer's makes it all worth while. Thank you to all who make it happen.

This whole tour far exceeded my expectations! Francesco was a fantastic tour leader. He was adept at handling 39 personalities and made our tour very enjoyable! Thank you Francesco and Perillo Tours !

Mr. & Mrs. C.S.

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The Perfect Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 Ideas For The Trip Of Your Dreams

All of Italy’s regions offer something unique, and in this guide the spotlight is on the north. If you are having trouble narrowing down the top places to visit for you or you’re starting from scratch seeking inspiration, you’ll find the perfect northern Italy itinerary for you in this post, along with tips for visiting this part of the country.

I live in northern Italy, so the area not only has a special place in my heart, but I’ve also traveled all around it!

There is truly so much to do and see that one trip may not be enough, which is why I have curated 5 northern Italy itineraries that play to certain strengths: one for those who want to see the most famous locations, one for outdoor adventurers, one for city-lovers, one for couples, and one for foodies, so you experience a little bit of everything.

Hopefully all these options make clearer what is at the top of your northern Italy bucket list!

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Creating The Perfect Northern Italy Itinerary

Before we get into the fun part (the destinations!), I must let you know all the practicalities of planning a northern Italy itinerary.

How Long Should A Northern Italy Itinerary Be?

The big question when planning a trip is always: how long you should spend in northern Italy?

Ideally, a robust northern Italy itinerary falls somewhere between 10 and 14 days.

If you have longer, great! You can go more off-the-beaten-path and deep dive into the culture, taking the slow travel route.

If you have less time and want to see a lot, plan out your transportation well and get ready for days jam-packed with things to do and breathtaking places to see!

I’ll be recommending the stops on the itineraries in a certain order, but not necessarily saying you should be spending one day here and two days there. That is up to you and the flexibility of your travel dates!

I will sprinkle in extra tips and suggestions based on my own experience (so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I have) and extra destinations as well, so you can play with how much extra time you have and be informed about other places in the area well-worth seeing.

Want specific help planning your northern Italy itinerary? Check out my trip planning services , where I give you a personalized itinerary with all the suggestions and tips specific to your desires and needs!

When is the best time to visit Northern Italy?

As a resident of northern Italy, I can share with certainty that the best time to visit is either June or September. In these two months you get the best weather, the very beginning or the tail end of the busy summer tourist season and, if you book ahead, you can get great deals on reservations for rental cars and accommodation.

For those adventure seekers and outdoor lovers, you may also enjoy traveling through the Italian Alps in winter during peak ski season , which is early December to late February.

Read my guides to Italy in Spring , Italy in Summer , Italy in Fall , and Italy in Winter to dive deeper into which season may be a better fit for you.

How To Get Around Northern Italy

Another necessary and important element of visiting northern Italy is knowing how you’ll get around. Northern Italy is the mostly well-connected by public transportation that can take you just about anywhere.

Northern Italy is, however, partially composed of the Italian Alps which presents a challenge for train travel. While you’ll easily be able to get from city to city and even town to town using regional trains, going through the mountains will mean there are less stops and train options, or there may just be no options at all.

I recommend for anyone visiting the Italian Alps either rent a car or plan to book a tour that handles transportation throughout the day’s activities.

Bus travel is also an option, but comes with its own challenges: one, understanding regional bus routes in a short period of time, and two, using coach buses means you’ll get dropped off in one spot and you don’t have much freedom to travel around.

Here’s a more in-depth look at how to get around northern Italy:

There are both national train lines and regional train lines, meaning you are well-connected between the major cities and there are also options to reach smaller towns. Trains are generally easy to navigate, so tourists shouldn’t be intimidated.

They aren’t as cheap as buses, but they’re less expensive than renting a car.

If you’re planning on taking a train around northern Italy, read all my Italy train travel tips so you know exactly how to prepare.

• Mid-range price compared to bus and rental car travel
• Well-connected between cities and towns (regional trains)
• Can be less flexible

I use Omio for purchasing train tickets or go straight to the Trenitalia website .

Italy does not have a national bus line, so most buses are only regional or city. However, coach bus companies like Flixbus operate throughout the country and Europe, so you could travel between regions using their service.

Read about all of your options and how to navigate bus lines in my guide on buses in Italy .

Buses are usually the cheapest option for getting around , as Flixbus tickets are as low as $5. However, the travel time is the longest.

With regional buses you can typically reach small towns, while with Flixbus, you’ll mostly be limited to cities.

If you’re thinking of using regional or city buses, the real challenge is understanding the routes and planning your itinerary around the timetables.

I would only use the bus option if you are opting for a slow travel itinerary and have lots of time to spend in Italy, this way you save money but aren’t wasting half your vacation trying to figure out the buses.

Bus can also be a flexible and inexpensive option for airport transfer.

• Can be super cheap & is overall less expensive
• Least flexible
• Takes time to understand routes of regional or city buses
• Longest travel time

What’s more exciting than an Italy road trip ? It truly is the best way to visit the country and enjoy just how vastly different the landscapes are across the peninsula.

Renting a car in Italy is the most flexible yet most expensive option for traveling around northern Italy. If you’re hoping to visit many places that aren’t major cities or tourist spots, then I would absolutely recommend renting a car.

Any of these itineraries can be turned into a road trip itinerary – like I said, the country is best experienced by road trip!

• Most flexible
• Most comfortable
• Most expensive
• Have to get used to driving in Italy

5 Northern Italy Itineraries You Should Steal

The bucket list northern italy itinerary.

If you’re someone who’s embarking on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, this itinerary is for you. Hit the 5 major areas on everyone’s northern Italy bucket list.

• Cinque Terre

There is an airport in both Venice and Milan so you could start your itinerary in either place. Both these cities will be your home base on this itinerary.

Book your stay in Milan and spend time exploring the city, while using the next few days to visit Cinque Terre and Lake Como as day trips. Curious about more spots to hit? Discover more day trips from Mi lan to beef up your itinerary.

Then you’ll head to Venice, from which you can do a day trip to the Dolomites.

If you’re working with a 10 day northern Italy trip, you can make it simple by spending two days in each place, or do as I’m suggesting using Milan and Venice as your home bases to explore more with day trips.

Here are some in-depth guides to help you plan exactly what to do in each destination:

• Milan in 24 hours
• One Day Cinque Terre Itinerary
• Lake Como in One Day: Varenna & Bellagio
• 3 Day Dolomites Itinerary
• Where to Stay in the Dolomites
• Unique Things To Do in Venice

Check out this Google Maps Trip Planner with extra itinerary suggestions:

Explore the Italian Alps

Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the Italian Alps. Whether you like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, the mountains are paradise.

The great thing is that even this itinerary is worthwhile for people who aren’t nature lovers but love the mountain landscape. You could engage in sports or you could visit to admire the views!

Here are the itinerary stops:

• Western Alps: Courmayeur, Gran Paradiso National Park, Breuil-Cervinia
• Central Alps : Lake Como, Bergamo, Val Brembana
• Eastern Alps: Dolomites

This epic northern Italy itinerary begins in Valle D’Aosta, the smallest and most underrated of Italy’s regions. The entire area is made up of the Western Alps. You’ll find both French and Italian are spoken here because of how close the two countries are. But the true draw is the landscape!

Start as far west as possible in Courmayeur to visit Mont Blanc and the Val Ferret. Then explore Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso , the oldest national park in Italy, before heading north to the tiny town turned ski haven Breuil-Cervinia to see Monte Cervino – otherwise known as the Matterhorn !

Making your way from the Western Alps, you’ll cross Milan, Lake Como, and Bergamo in the Central Alps . Lake Como is a must stop also for mountain lovers: the peaks soaring above the lake are breathtaking. Dive deeper into the Val Brembana to the north of Bergamo to visit the villages of Branzi and Cornello dei Tasso.

Then head over to the Dolomites: the most unique of mountains with jagged grey peaks surrounded by the absolutely stunning valleys and green hills of Trentino Alto-Adige.

Check out the map to see this sample itinerary and extra suggestions on where to visit:

North Italy City-Breaks

Some travelers can’t get enough of a historic, bustling European city and Italy is rich with them.

From metropolitan Milan to the medieval hilltop city of Bergamo, the major cities in Italy all offer a different landscape to be explored.

The stops on this north Italy itinerary include:

You’ll probably start this itinerary in Milan, given that the most major airports are located just outside the city. However, if you’re flying from within Europe, you may want to consider flying into Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, which is a hub for Ryanair flights.

Regardless, these two sister cities are only 40 minutes apart by car, but exhibit completely different landscapes. Milan is bustling, crowded, the energy is always high.

Bergamo is big in size, but quaint in spirit. Life moves just a little bit slower, especially up in Città Alta, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the medieval, historic old town that rests on a hilltop overlooking the more economic center, Città Bassa.

Head west to Turin , a financial and cultural hub like Milan, stylized by Baroque-style architecture and the famed Mole Antonelliana.

Head east and end your itinerary in Venice. There’s not much I need to explain as to why Venice is a good city-break: the uniqueness of its landscape and how it affects every aspect of life from transportation to food is crazy to experience in person.

Check out more in-depth locations for the perfect city-break itinerary to northern Italy on the map:

Most Romantic Places for Couples

It’s no secret Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world to visit, so I’ve also curated a North Italy itinerary perfect for couples, whether on honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a romantic trip.

Between wine, fairytale villages, and intimate vistas, you’ll be feeling the Italian romance.

Here are some of the most romantic places in Italy :

• Portovenere
• Franciacorta

Portovenere is an underrated hidden gem on the coast of Liguria. From the views to the quiet harbor to the unreal swimming spots like Lord Byron’s Grotto and the untouched beaches of Palmeria Island , it’s a lover’s paradise and exudes Italian charm. Nearby Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are a few extra stop ideas.

It’s no secret Lake Como is one of the most luxurious destinations in Italy and its exclusivity, plus the incredible views of villas and alpine peaks, makes it an intimate retreat. Make it easier to visit using my Lake Como budget tips , but don’t be afraid to indulge in visiting its most romantic places like Villa del Balbianello and the town of Bellagio .

The Tuscany of northern Italy? Franciacorta . Franciacorta is a territory between Bergamo and Brescia that produces sparkling wine or “spumante”, mostly Prosecco, Italy’s version of Champagne. If you love the idea of vineyard views on end and wine tasting with your partner, it must be added to your romantic itinerary.

Not far from Franciacorta is the region of Veneto, where the next half of the itinerary lies. Verona is the ultimate city of romance in Italy: the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, made up of rose-hued buildings and castles nestled over the Adige River.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, but its small, cascading hillside towns make the atmosphere intimate. Visit Sirmione for its enchanting castle and Limone sul Garda for its quiet charm. Curious for more ideas? Read about all the best towns on Lake Garda .

Last stop for lovers: Venice! You can’t take a romantic trip to Italy without enjoying the swoon-worthy, picturesque atmosphere of Venice. Gondola ride for two?

Discover more specific destinations for loved-up travelers on the map:

A Foodie’s Northern Italy Itinerary

Italian food is in a league of its own, but you’ll soon find out when visiting northern Italy that the traditional dishes are not pasta and pizza.

Instead, the meals are heartier, which reflect the lifestyle of the historic types of people living here: industrial workers or those living in the Alps having to face long winters.

People in northern Italy also love their local ingredients. Here are some foods to try in every region on this itinerary:

• Truffles in Piemonte
• Seafood, Focaccia, & Pesto in Liguria
• Polenta in Bergamo
• Spaghetti alla bolognese in Bologna

Starting in Piemonte, the speciality is one of the most expensive and luxurious foods in the world: truffles ! The best time to visit is in the fall, also when the White Truffle Festival takes place in Alba. I highly recommend booking a tour with a local guide for the unique experience of hunting for truffles and do a Barolo wine tasting.

Next stop is Liguria for fresh seafood, focaccia, and pesto ! You can pretty much walk into any bakery in Liguria and get an amazing piece of focaccia. I love simple focaccia, made with just oil, but the bread is so versatile that you’ll find many different versions. The other dish I ordered at every restaurant in Liguria: Trofie al Pesto.

After heading to the sea, return to the mountains around the area of Bergamo. Here you’ll find two specialties: polenta and pizzoccheri. Polenta is a versatile grain made plain, with cheese or as Polenta Contadina, made with cheese, spinach, and local sausage. Pizzoccheri are a mix of short buckwheat tagliatelle pasta, potatoes, cheese, and greens. It comes from Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy bordering Switzerland.

Your last stop on this itinerary is tapping into a bit of central Italy territory, but it is a must stop for foodies. Bologna is the origin of many Italian food favorites : Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella, Ragù Bolognese, Balsamic Vinegar and Lasagne. Arrive on an empty stomach and take a traditional food tour !

Check out the map with extra suggestions:

The SGTD Take

I could go on and on about all of the beautiful places to visit in northern Italy, but this post would then be at least 10,000 words. I highly suggest taking a look at the embedded maps to discover places worth adding to your itinerary based on the amount of time you have available.

Also take advantage of the linked posts within this article to discover individual destinations in depth and ultimately allow you to plan your trip better.

Northern Italy is a diverse landscape: mountains, sea, lakes, floating cities, metropolitan centers, food-rich countrysides. It’s hard to fit it all into one trip, but hopefully you’ve found the perfect itinerary for your trip to northern Italy or at least sparks of inspiration!

Which itinerary is on your bucket list? Leave a comment!

Italy Trip Planning Resources

• Accommodation : For Italy, I mainly use Booking.com to search and book places to stay.
• Booking flights : I like to search for flights through Skyscanner , but I also book direct depending on the airline.
• Activities & experiences : For things to do that require a ticket, and for more unique trip activities, I use Musement .
• Road trip : For renting a car, I get the best prices by comparing companies with AutoEurope . I then use ViaMichelin to estimate road trip costs and Autostrade.it to find gas stations/have live updates on traffic.
• Transportation : Traveling by public transportation is a great way to see Italy. I use Trenitalia or Trainline to book tickets for trains and Flixbus for long-haul bus trips.
• Accessories : I always travel with this portable charger to stay connected and with a universal adapter to accommodate Italy’s plug types.
• Need help planning an itinerary? Fill out my form for a custom itinerary request !

Save these itinerary ideas to Pinterest!

If you head out on your adventure using one of these itineraries or have questions for curating a totally customized itinerary, share with me – I’d love to hear how your trip has gone or help you further plan your dream northern Italy itinerary !

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

Find me on: Web | Instagram

You may also enjoy:

All about aperitivo: how to enjoy the sacred italian aperitif, planning one day in volterra, italy here’s what you need to ….

Hi Michela, I would love some suggestions on a 14 day itinerary to Northern Italy. We are coming from the West Coast of the US (California). This is our second trip. Our first trip we visited Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Genoa/Cinque Terre. We would really like to visit Bologna and Florence again and have to add Verona for sure due to business (just 1 day business meeting). I’d also like to see Lake Como, Lake Guardia, Dolomites and Piedmont but know we can’t fit it all in and I’m ok with making another trip some day. I was thinking of flying into Rome due to convenience and cost and flying out of Milan mostly due to convenience. We are not opposed to flying in and or out of any airport as long as it makes sense. I would love to hear your suggestions for an itinerary and how long to spend in each place

Those are all amazing places to visit! Since they are very concentrated in northern Italy, I would suggest flying roundtrip in and out of Milan. But if the price is better in Rome, you could always take a train to a major northern Italian city or find a cheap flight with RyanAir, for example.

As far as how long to spend in each place, here are my recommendations for a minimum amount of stay based on how much there is to do in each place (& my personal favorite spots!):

– Piedmont: at least 2 nights (Piedmont is a large region, so depending on how much you want to see, you could easily extend this a couple of nights) – Lake Como: at least 1 night – Bologna: at least 1 night – Florence: at least 2 nights – Verona: at least 1 night – Lake Garda: at least 1 night (or even a day trip from Verona & you stay in Verona 2 nights) – Dolomites: at least 2-3 nights

Planning the best order of visiting these places will depend on what airport you end up flying into, as well as what day your business meeting falls on! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out again!

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Money blog: These are the most common holiday booking scams - and the red flags to watch out for

Holiday purchase scams have risen by 7% in the past year - from clone websites to phishing emails, we set out the most common and share tips to avoid falling for fraudsters. Read this and the rest of today's personal finance and consumer news in the Money blog.

Monday 10 June 2024 10:00, UK

• The most common holiday booking scams - and red flags to watch out for
• EU elections and US jobs data knock global markets
• Money Problem: 'I bought a heat pump dryer that takes nine hours to dry a small load but Candy and AO say there's no fault - what can I do?'

Essential reads

• How long do trailers last at each cinema chain - and when to get there
• Consider swapping chicken breasts out of your shopping basket
• How brands get you to buy more, more, more
• How much are student loans and when do you start paying back?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

PrettyLittleThing has become the latest retailer to introduce returns fees.

The fashion brand, which is owned by Boohoo, started charging all customers  £1.99 for returns from 3 June.

Customers who are PLT Royalty members, which costs £9.99 a year, will also have to pay the charge.

The retailer joins other brands such as Zara, which started charging £1.95 for postal returns in 2022, and Boohoo, which introduced a £1.99 fee in July 2022, in introducing a returns cost.

Next also introduced a £2.50 charge for courier returns last year.

PrettyLittleThing declined to comment but confirmed charges had been introduced.

By James Sillars , business reporter

Two major themes for financial markets to focus on today: the results of the EU parliamentary elections and hiring in the United States.

Both are knocking stock markets globally this morning, with the FTSE 100 opening sharply down along with its European counterparts.

If we look at all this chronologically, the much-stronger-than-expected US employment numbers released on Friday afternoon have put a lid on talk of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve central bank.

Global investors are crying out for cheaper borrowing costs and that now seems a distant prospect, with some market watchers even predicting it will be 2025 before the Fed can act.

The dollar also strengthened when it emerged there were 272,000 net new jobs created in the world's biggest economy last month. A figure around 175,000 had been predicted.

The fear here for the Fed is that strong employment and wage growth will push up US inflation.

The FTSE opened 0.6% lower at 8,195 after Friday's decline of almost 0.5%.

The DAX in Germany and French CAC were down 0.7% and 1.9% respectively.

The opening performances reflected Emmanuel Macron calling French parliamentary elections after his party was trounced in the EU vote by Marine Le Pen's far-right group.

Wider results also showed big gains for far-right parties in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

The euro hit a near two-year low versus the pound in Asia dealing and also lost further ground against the dollar.

It's good news if you have a holiday booked in the euro area, as your pound will go further when converted to the single currency.

By Emily Mee , Money team

You've been looking forward to your trip for months, but as you're waiting at the airport you discover - to much frustration - that your flight has been cancelled. 

Damn! Better go on to social media to tweet the company - you're hoping it might get their attention quicker than waiting on hold for an agent or in a long queue at the airport with hundreds of other passengers. 

Within a short while, you have a reply - finally some good news! The airline asks you to DM them, and after some back and forth they're willing to book you on to another flight. They'll need your payment details again, though. 

Little did you realise, this was a tricky-to-spot scam. In your weariness you hadn't realised you were talking to a fake social media profile posing as your chosen airline. 

This is one common holiday booking scam that has been tricking people out of their cash online. 

In a report this year, Lloyds revealed holiday purchase scams have risen by 7% over the past year, with nearly half starting on Facebook. 

The scams to watch out for

• Clone websites - these can appear for airlines, holidays, villas and more. Although you may think you're on a legitimate site, you may not have spotted the URL has been changed. You may even get fake confirmation emails or booking references. 
• Social media promotions - similar to the clone websites, these can often impersonate airlines or hotels, or they may advertise accommodation that doesn't exist.
• Fake activities - when travellers end up paying for activities from fraudulent operators and the tour or activity does not exist.
• Phishing emails - these can appear to come from a legitimate provider and will often ask travellers to confirm their personal and payment details.
• Fake social media messages (as we mentioned above) - after passengers reach out for help on social media, scammers might reply posing as the airline or tour operator.
• Service fees for documents - a long-running scam sees copycat websites pop up where a fee is charged to process or renew a document or health insurance card. 
• Airport parking - some scammers will claim to have a "safe place" for your car but that might not be the case, with some drivers returning to find their cars filthy, damaged or with added mileage. 
• Counterfeit Atol numbers - while the Atol sign should mean your holiday is protected, scammers can use counterfeit numbers on fake web pages.

How can you avoid getting scammed?

Consumer champion Jane Hawkes, also known as Lady Janey , says it's important to do your research in the first place. 

If the website claims to be part of any official travel body, check this for yourself.

For example, you can check if a company is truly Atol protected here . 

Read reviews for the company too - although be aware that some may have fake reviews (these aren't easy to spot, but you should check for things like whether lots of reviews were posted at the same time, if lots of the reviews go over-the-top, and if many use the same phrasing). 

You can also do a Google Maps search for the property being advertised. 

Check contact details are readily available on websites and that there is a telephone number.

"Many scam sites purposely don't have one," Jane explains. 

"If you can't get hold of a company for general enquiries, it'll be a whole lot more difficult if something goes wrong." 

Jane also says you should check for red flags such as poor spelling and grammar in adverts, limited-time offers, and the pressure to make decisions on the spot. 

She recommends keeping all communication on the official platform, for example, when booking through Airbnb. 

"Scammers will try to lure you away in order to gain your personal and banking details. Steer away from any personal correspondence via email, WhatsApp or text," she says. 

When it comes to booking, Jane says to never action a bank transfer  or provide your bank details in response to an advert. 

She suggests using a credit card if the offer is legitimate - this means you'll benefit from extra cover if anything goes wrong. 

Don't agree to PayPal transfers, especially if the transfer is made as "PayPal Friends and Family" as this reduces the protection PayPal can offer. 

For the highest level of consumer protection, Jane recommends booking a package holiday with a trusted travel agent . 

If you have been the victim of a scam then you should report it to the Financial Conduct Authority, Trading Standards, Police Action Fraud or Citizens Advice Scam Action as appropriate. 

Every Monday we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

I purchased a new Candy Heat pump dryer from AO in December thinking I was making a more environmentally ethical purchase than a cheaper condenser or vented dryer. I carried out research and was satisfied with AO and Candy's description of drying time being a "little longer". 

Fast forward to February I could stand it no longer and called Candy to discuss a "fault" as it was taking nine hours to dry a small load and three cycles. I was informed this was normal and not a fault. I then called AO, which liaised with Candy to send out an authorised engineer.

The engineer found no fault but told me he receives many many complaints about this model.

I have raised it with both AO and Candy, but they consider the matter closed as there is no fault.

Where do I go from here?

Donna Adams, Dumfries

Scott Dixon, from The Complaints Resolver , says the first thing to remember is that your contract is always with the retailer, not the manufacturer.

"You have done everything right. You carried out research and expected drying time to take a little longer," he says.

Scott says the  Consumer Rights Act 2015  right applies. It says goods ought to be: 

• Fit for purpose
• As described
• Satisfactory quality
• Last a reasonable length of time 

The act gives you 30 days to reject faulty goods - the onus is on you to prove that the goods are faulty. Once 30 days has elapsed, the onus is on the retailer to prove that the goods were not faulty when sold. After six months it changes again - the onus is on you to prove the goods had inherent faults when it was sold. 

"The engineer verbally confirmed an issue and that he receives many complaints about this particular model," says Scott.

"They will never put this in writing because they are not working for the consumer. They will simply write 'no faults' - case closed.

"This is one of many tried and tested fob-offs retailers use to deny you a remedy and 99% of the time it works."

The crux of your complaint, Scott says, is that the goods are not "as described", and your experience simply does not match what you or any reasonable person would expect.

Had you known it would take nine hours, you would have made a different decision.

What you can do

Scott says: "Google search the make and model of this particular heat pump dryer. It's likely you will find a forum where others have shared similar experiences. This will prove there are inherent issues and reinforce your case.

"You could also get an independent report from a qualified professional who can offer a written opinion to confirm what the engineer said.

"I take the view that you are entitled to reject the goods as they were not 'as described', the goods were misrepresented to you and you were misled into making a transactional decision you would not have otherwise made.

"The Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Misrepresentation Act 1967 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 support this."

If all this falls on deaf ears, Scott suggests writing to the chief executive of AO, John Roberts (his email address can be found online with a bit of digging).

"It's unlikely that the CEO will read it, although his escalated complaints team will," says Scott.

"If all else fails, follow  Simple Procedure in Scotland  (small claims court in England and Wales)."

Often, sending screenshots of your initial court papers will be enough to resolve a dispute before lodging the official complaint, Scott says.

AO response

After being contacted by Sky News, AO arranged to revisit Ms Adams's home.

They then told the Money blog: "Following a further inspection, Candy's engineer confirmed Mrs Adams's dryer was faulty so we've been in touch with her to offer a replacement with our apologies."

Candy did not respond to a request for comment.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about.  Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:

• The form above - you need to leave a phone number or email address so we can contact you for further details
• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here

By Narbeh Minassian , news reporter

The time on your ticket is 7pm, but you already know it's not going to start then.

So, what time do you get to the cinema?

If you're arriving at 7.10pm, you're almost certainly safe, but any later and you may cut it fine.

Here, we've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins.

According to the Cineworld website, ads and trailers "normally last between 30-45 minutes before the actual film begins".

The cinema also asks customers to collect tickets at least 20 minutes before the listed time "to make the most of their visit".

There appears to be a shorter wait at Odeon, which claims advert and trailer length is "typically 15-25 minutes" - but this varies with each performance and can be "considerably less".

"We always recommend to avoid disappointment you arrive with enough time to enter the screen at the scheduled performance start time," the website says.

There's a wider range at Everyman, which says it plays 25 minutes' worth of adverts and trailers.

But beware - "the length of ads and trailers varies for special events and it can be between 15 and 40 minutes, subject to type of event".

There isn't any specific information on the website and we got no response when we reached out to them, but Showcase did respond to a customer on social media on this very question.

In a May 2022 tweet, the cinema said: "The advertised time is when the adverts/ trailers start and are approximately 20-25 minutes long before each show."

Vue offers a more precise window: "Please be aware that most films have around 20 to 25 minutes of ads and trailers before the feature starts."

Its only recommendation is to be in your seat at the time stated so you "don't take any chances in missing the start of your film".

'In general, it's 24 minutes'

Karen Stacey, the chief executive of Digital Cinema Media, which supplies advertisement for the likes of Odeon, Vue and Cineworld, told Sky News the wait is typically 24 minutes - 12 minutes for ads, and 12 for trailers.

This remains true whatever the film and whatever the time of day, with about 95% of DCM's schedules "exactly the same".

"It's very formulaic, that's what consumers are used to," she said. "By making it consistent in length, people are always happy to come and join in."

She said 24 minutes gives schedulers enough time to prepare the film and allow a more staggered entry for the audience - while also bringing in revenue.

Any longer than half an hour, though, is "rare".

"Cinemas want to have as many films in as possible and they want to be mindful they don't finish too late in the evening," Ms Stacey said.

"My experience working with them is they are quite strict."

Are there rules over the length?

As the above suggests, there aren't any set rules or procedures governing cinema advertising length.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of cinema advertising company Pearl & Dean, said the length was determined by the cinema.

"Some cinemas take only one ad, like the BFI IMAX, and the maximum length is determined by the cinemas themselves," she told Sky News.

"Factors determining the length depend on demand from advertisers and the films that a cinema might want to showcase to the audience that's at the screening via trailers."

Cinema policy is the key decider and she said research has shown audiences find advertising in cinema "part of the entertainment".

Do viewers like the adverts and trailers?

Ms Jacob may have a point.

According to research published by DCM , advertising in cinemas is more effective than in any other media.

For a 60-second advert in the cinema, viewers will watch 48 seconds, which is a far higher proportion than TV or social media.

It is also highly trusted, with DCM citing a survey by IPA Touchpoints claiming nearly 100% of respondents say they trust what they see in the cinema - for comparison, 75% trust TV adverts.

Avid cinema-goer Bill Boswell, who pays £18 a month for an unlimited pass at Cineworld on the Isle of Wight, said he was happy to wait.

"I know that these adverts help pay for the cinema to run," he told Sky News. "The cinema is my place to escape, so it's good for my mental health and I would not want to lose it.

"If I watch at home, I can sometimes reach for my mobile phone, but a film on the big screen would get my 100% attention, so I just accept the pre-show adverts."

But what are the drawbacks?

The main thing Mr Boswell considers is his car, as his nearest Cineworld offers three hours of free parking.

"I would sometimes plan on 30 minutes of trailers and work back so I can fit the free parking in, as the cinema costs enough already," he said.

"If the film is more than two and a half hours, I park outside town and walk to the cinema."

Consumer expert Martin Lewis raised parking tickets as one of the issues in a 2019 tweet, in which he said he waited 33 minutes for a film to start.

Responding to one user, he said greater clarity would help customers to save on parking tickets and babysitting, while giving "legitimate expectation".

"And there's no rigorous research that prices [cinema tickets] would go up - they're often set by market demand," he added.

Are there alternatives?

If you want to avoid the pre-show altogether, your best bet might be independent or community cinemas.

Draycott Community Cinema, for example, is the only cinema in the Somerset village and is run by volunteers.

Committee member Chloe Haywood told Sky News they are always debating how long to make their pre-show.

They try to keep it to two short trailers, often without any adverts - though they are planning to find a sponsor later this year.

"We do find that it sets the audience up for the screening," she said, referring to their brief pre-show.

"We don't have trailers for long. They're to advertise the next two films, any local news that might be of interest, and then standard 'switch off your phones' type info."

We had a lot of feedback after our in-depth look at why concert ticket prices are so high these days...

Here's some of what you said...

Why do arenas and sports events have to charge so much for food and drinks? Over £8 a pint is absolutely scandalous and opportunistic greed. Britain is an absolute rip off. Lee J

In the same way that football has been gentrified, music is being steered towards the rich and middle class - real fans like me are no longer wanted by agents like Ticketmaster. Frontman

The ones responsible are the ones paying the prices like with coffee shops and other consumer products. Stop paying stupid prices, they won't charge them! Toby

Why are resale tickets allowed to be tripled or quadrupled? Recently offered a David Gilmour ticket for £600??? Springbok

1970... $7.50 to see Elvis at his prime in Vegas. The greatest entertainer ever. 2020... £300 to see Taylor Swift. The most overrated singer around today.  I know who got the best deal there! Steve Elliott

A quick calculation shows $7.50 in 1970 is the equivalent of $60.61 today.

Next, a brief mention of Subway's decision to change its ordering process in all stores to electronic kiosks by the end of the year...

Some readers complained in our comments box but when we asked our followers on LinkedIn whether they liked or loathed self-service via a screen, this was the result...

Another post that got you exercised contained quotes from the boss of Emirates comparing Heathrow to a Second World War airport ...

There wasn't much love for the UK's biggest airport from readers - or for any other airport across the country...

There need to be a lot of change at Heathrow! Specially with immigration checks. The long queues are killing me, someone can't wait 2hrs in a queue to get a clearance, it's absurd! Cheka

Heathrow is not the only one. Coming back to UK through Gatwick yesterday was a sobering experience. Tatty floor covering, scuffed and drab paint everywhere. Wall graphics lacking any imagination or vibrancy. Narrow walkways and corridors. Doesn't show the UK in a good light all. Frequent traveller

Heathrow a Second World War airport? Try coming off a plane with 300 others at Leeds Bradford and queueing outside in the cold and pouring rain trying to shuffle in through a small door that looks like it used to be an emergency exit. How difficult can it be to erect something? Paula Blue

I totally disagree Heathrow is as bad as the president says. Has he ever visited Manchester Airport? AJ

A major HMRC glitch on Monday meant 500,000 families did not get their child benefit on time. Multiple readers wrote in with their views...

So they will be paying compensation then? As they would fine us for late payments... Cybertuck

HMRC? Apologise? Due to an error by working tax credits, I've only just been paid six years' worth. And as to child maintenance payments… I can't even begin to discuss that without crying. LWE

Is there any government IT system in this country that works as it should? Tudor1

I don't have children, very sadly, but if I were told that HMRC were "sorry" for this glitch I would probably feel very violent. We get a lot of apologies these days which mean absolutely nothing (regrettably). Gillydhill

Confirming the problem had been fixed late on Monday afternoon, HMRC said: "We are very sorry some customers didn't receive their scheduled child benefit payments as expected and we understand the concern and difficulty this may have caused. 

"We've fixed the problem and affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning."

The news agenda this week has been dominated by election campaigning - with the first leaders' debate taking place on Tuesday night.

It saw Rishi Sunak cheer his supporters with the repeated claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.

Sir Keir Starmer was, most observers thought, far too slow to respond - but the claim began to unravel the next day.

Data and economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Tory calculations suggested the £2,000 rise was actually spread out over four years - so £500 a year may have been a more suitable number for the PM to throw at his opponent.

Concluding his piece, Conway said you "probably shouldn't" believe the figures - but if you used the same methodology as the Tories, it would show they had put up taxes by £3,000 a year over the course of this parliament. Or £13,000, if you wanted to present the numbers in the same way as Mr Sunak did during the debate. 

Read Conway's full analysis here ...

Some distance from Westminster, the 20 countries that use the euro saw an interest rate cut this week - the European Central Bank moving before the US Fed and Bank of England.

A cut in the UK is currently priced in by markets for September - in the meantime, British holidaymakers could benefit from a weaker euro against the pound.

Business presenter Ian King says a potential weakening of the euro could have wider implications.

He explained: "It comes with risks, not least in terms of pushing up the cost of imports - particularly energy, which is priced in dollars, which could in turn push up inflation."

The price of exports into the US could go down - potentially undercutting American firms.

King went on: "A weaker euro would also carry risks in a US election year in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, his challenger, will be seeking to out-bid each other with protectionist policies."

Read his full analysis here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

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