Bologna vs. Verona (2 nights, Sept)

Verona would work best for this trip. I love Bologna but save it for next time.

I've been to both cities and Verona wins hands down for a two night stay. It's a great city, easy to navigate and pretty compact, which means you'll spend more time seeing stuff and less time figuring out how to get around - that's key for a 2 night stay.

Logistics suggest Verona so go with it.

I am much more partial to Bologna. If you have two days, you could visit Ravenna easily by train.

I'm partial to Bologna however based on your stated itinerary and geography, you're better off staying in Verona.

From Venice-Rome, you'll go through Bologna, so you could shift Venice up two days and plug those 2-days into Bologna, on the way to Rome.

I'll say Verona, ancient city with a very modern lifestyle. Maybe you have a special reason, but 10 days in Florence seems to me a few too many. If you are going to make a bunch of day trips to Tuscan towns, I would spend some nights in a smaller place in Tuscany. An additional night or two in Venice would be good too, beautiful and very interesting city.

Larry - yes, there is a special reason for 10 days in Florence - I'm taking an Italian intensive course to further my studies and prepare me to attempt to speak Italian the remainder of the trip.

I'm also considering just staying an extra day in Lugano, going a day earlier to Venice so that we can have 2 nights in Rome (where I've been before) before our flight back.

Only 2 nights in Venice?

FWIW, I've been to both as well, and would pick Verona over Bologna.

Both are great cities with different things to offer but Verona is best location wise for where you will be traveling from (Lugano/Venice). Verona has the Roman amphitheater, two great piazzas (Bra and Erbe), good churches and museums, nice garden overlooking city, look down as you walk...many Roman ruins to see underground...some are under glass and others just open to view, Juliet's balcony and little garden area is corny but everyone seems to stop in there for a picture. My hotel recommendation is Aurora on Piazza Erbe..perfect location for walking and exploring...ask for a room with a view of the piazza.

I would add both days to Venice and use one day for Murano/Burano/Torcello and the other day for a day trip to Verona. It is about an 1.5 hour train ride to Verona from Venice which does make for a longer day but doable. We saw plenty in Verona as a day trip from Venice.