17-night northern Italy Itinerary

Bob, yes, that would be my plan, sorry if that was not clear. open-jaw is the only way for a trip like this, as far as I'm concerned! Grazie Andrea thank you for the suggestions! I love botanical gardens, and nice day trips! and I have heard the Egyptian museum in Torino is amazing, it's one of the reasons I want to go there (besides the food and chocolate of course:)) thanks!

Why not fly direct to Venice and then home from Torino?

nice itinerary..
In padua don't miss the botanical garden found in 1545.. In milan:museo del novecento,pinatoceca di brera,museo poldi-pezzoli and a day trip to bergamo or cremona. In turin:Egyptian Museum Torino and venaria reale

I don't think you need 3 nights in Milan. There isn't that much there. 2 nights should be sufficient. I would maybe add another night in Lake Como. With that extra night you could daytrip over to Lugano Switzerland. Rick has a page on that here I just visited Varenna for the first time and loved it. Easy train access to Milan and ferry anywhere on the lake.

While RS has a different opinion of Milan, we enjoyed it for 3 days. Did the R S walking tour, saw the last Supper,Sforzesco Castle and museums, spent a morning in the "Golden Quadrilateral", wandered all over the Duomo and the vista above as well as the department store across the plaza, toured La Scala, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. I like Venice's art, so I'd add a day there just for more of those and to get over the jet lag. Had the best tiramisu ever in Milan... really!

Thank you both! Robert, I still have an extra day to play with, so I could add it to the Lake Como area and still have 3 days for milan. I think my best options would be to tack that day onto Lake Como or Torino (for reasons stated below) I would be reluctant to spend less than 3 days in any larger city, I figure I can always take a daytrip on my last day if I feel like I've had enough. Thank you Melissa! I hate to say it on this board but many of my favorite places in Italy have been places Rick either ignores completely or gives little space to so that reaffirms my idea to have 3 nights there. Since I have already been to Venice (4 nights the first time) I mostly want to use my return there to just wander and experience the city, which I feel I didn't do that well the first time 'round. do you remember where you had the tiramisu?

Varenna is convenient when traveling by train and I didn't find it touristy. If you have an extra day at Lake Como and are interested in a cooking class, there is a really good one at Il Caminetto. I enjoyed Verona very much and found that purchasing a Verona Card at the train station saved us a lot of money. We saw some very interesting things that we would have skipped if we had to pay the admission fees.

Keep Milano, there is lots to see. If you haven't been to Torcello, I would add a day to Venice to see it, and perhaps some other islands in the lagoon, or add a day to Mantova and visit Ravenna if you haven't been there.

I agree with Andrea ... the cooking class at Il Caminetto is great, and fairly inexpensive. They transport you to/from Varenna, so it couldn't be more convenient. Book far in advance, as the classes fill up.

another tip...varenna is great but for me the best place to stay on lake Como is in brunate,a small village up to Como...the view at night is amazing http://www.bellavistabrunate.com/

Thank you all so much! Funny enough, as much as I love food, I have never taken a cooking class in Italy. That class sounds great. I have not been to Torcello but went to Murano and Burano on my first trip to Venice. And I have not been to Ravenna either. I clearly have a lot to think about! I may consider trying to sneak in one more night to make it to 18 to be able to fit in some of these things. thank you again so much I knew I would get some great advice here!

Just returned from 23 days in Italy on October 1. Varenna isn't touristy at all and the cooking class at Caminetto II ( mentioned above) was delightful. It cost $50 per person and lasted about six hours including transportation from Varenna town square, lunch, wine, snacks and great entertainment. We had about 20 people in the class and it was one of the highlights of our trip. I would do it again. The drive up and down the mountain was worth $10. We spent two nights in Milan which was enough. We made reservations to see The Last Supper which was well worth it. Loved the Dolomites and the trip to the alpine meadow was spectacular. Verona can be done in a day. Bolzano and The Ice Man Exhibit were great. Nice little town.
Cheers!

thank you Audrey! clearly this cooking class will be a must-do for me. I am considering adding a day to make the trip 18 nights, then I can add a night to Varenna and still have a night to play with. thank you all again so much!