Honeymoon in Northern Italy – Advice Needed

Hi everyone!

My partner and I are planning our honeymoon in Northern Italy this coming October and would love some advice. We're flying out from Lisbon on October 6th, 2025, and we're thinking of staying around 10 or 11 days.

We’re really interested in a more relaxed trip, avoiding the chaos of big cities as much as possible. We've had mixed experiences with heavily touristic areas, so we’re looking to explore smaller towns, beautiful lakes, enjoy great food and go for scenic walks. That said, we're not totally against visiting a bigger city or two – just not too much hustle and bustle!

Right now, we're wondering:

Should we fly into Milan and rent a car?

Would it be better to travel by train instead?

Are there any hidden gems or underrated towns/lakes you’d recommend?

We’ve heard great things about places like Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Orta, but we’re open to other suggestions too.

We’d really appreciate any tips on routes, where to stay, what to see or avoid, and any special spots that made your trip unforgettable.

Thanks in advance!