Bologna, Parma, Vicenza, Mantova, Lago di Garda?

liked Bologna; miles of covered sidewalks, vibrant feel, great food (this whole region, actually), easy to walk to Piazza Maggiore from the train station. Be sure to climb the tower for a great view! I also recommend taking one of the walking tours that leaves from the TI office at the Piazza.

Vicenza has lots of Palladio and Palladio-inspired architecture, a nice pedestrian-only plaza, but I wouldn't make a special trip to visit it.

I would also suggest Bologna. Great little city; lots going on (partly because it's a university town). Very walkable; great people-watching Piazza Maggiore. As mentioned, GREAT food. There are streets with markets, as well as numerous fantastic restaurants.

Don't know what your price range is on hotels. When we stayed, we found almost everything was already booked. We ended up at Il Convento Dei Fiori Di Seta, which is a very nice B&B. It's a bit of a walk south of Piazza Maggiore, but not too far, and a nice neighborhood.

Definitely go to a wonderful trattoria, Drogheria della Rosa, with a welcoming, wonderful owner, Emanuele Addone. It's not expensive, and great food (sorry I keep saying "great" a lot). The website is at www.drogheriadellarosa.it.

Bologna. Lake Garda is good because it is smaller than Como. Train to Desanzano and shuttle bus to sirmione, which is intersting, and from there you can ferry around the lake if you wish. hotel Grifone restaurant is nice and right on the water. Padua is good and easily accesable

First of all, Lake Garda is NOT smaller than Como. It is actually the LARGEST lake in Italy.

I suggest that you plan to spend a day or two in Milano. It is a large (and not very pretty) city but it has much to offer in the way of art, architecture and history. You will want to see the Last Supper, the Duomo (cathedral), the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), La Scala (THE opera house). Then a few quiet days on Lake Garda would be lovely. Every town around the lake has something to offer. It really depends on how active or inactive you want to be. Sirmione, Salo, Limone, Riva, Malcesine are all lovely places to stay. You can (if you are an early riser) do a day trip to Verona - home of Romeo and Juliet and of a wonderful Arena where they still do concerts and opera.
If you choose to do nothing but sit and watch the lake for a week, you will still have a wonderful time. You can ride on the ferry around the lake.

Have a wonderful time.

Another vote for Bologna. Great walking town, great food. Be sure to visit the basilica San Luca south of the center, and the great markets east of Piazza Maggiorre. Tamburini is a to-die-for deli in the market area. Restaurant recommendations: Diana, Teresina, Graselli, Mela or just about any place in the market area.

Bologna hosts a number of trade shows, so hotel prices and availability are a function of those scheduled. I enjoyed Hotel Roma, moderately priced 1/2 block south of Piazza Maggiore on Via d'Azeglio - great location for walkers.

Bologna also makes a great base for day trips to Parma, Modena, Ravenna, Ferrara - great train connections to all those cities.

Thanks everyone! It sounds like I need to check out Bologna.