Northern Italian Towns

I would add that the larger itinerary will last a month: starting with four days in Milan, ending with four in Venice, and hoping to include at least four days deep in the Dolomites. (If I can eliminate half the towns in my list above, we might make it to Ljubljana and Pula, but I fear I'm pushing my luck there....)

Wish I could be more helpful but have only been to a couple of those places. BUT, I would say definitely do not miss out on Verona. Beautiful place! If I had to choose between Padova and Vicenza it would be Vicenza. Enjoyed Padova but more so Vicenza.

Should add: I originally had thoughts of seeing Bergamo but have a friend from there. She told me she doesn't think her hometown is anything special to see. For an Italian to say that about their hometown told me to skip it. And to add to your list, you may want to think about Ravenna and Bossano del Grappa.

Thanks Ron - I will consider that advice!

Hopefully we can "choose four" or five of the above and have a fair amount of time in each for day tripping and so on.

We would go back to anyplace we've ever been in Italy, but we really liked Bergamo and Verona - and also Ravenna.

Mostly you have listed cities. Do you want to get into the smaller villages and feel the pulse, see the unique?

I'll start off with a huge me too for Vicenza.

In the hills above Padova, near Cittadella, is Possagno - the birthplace and burial place of the incomparable sculptor Canova. The village itself is scenic enough but the plaster casts and marbles of most of his work in the Gipsoteca is well worth a trip, if you like Canova's work - which I do. The tour of the house and studio is part of the admission and the sculptures are arranged so well. http://www.museocanova.it/

Bassano del Grappa is different than most places, including a covered bridge.

Soave for its walls and towers and wine and castles.

The human chess board and main piazza in Marostica is something very different. Read about it at http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/marostica.html some good description and photos at http://www.carnifest.com/events/italy/marostica/961/live-human-chess-game-in-marostica-2016.aspx
You Tube of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riNnikGFcf8

I would have to add Ravenna to the list.

So, in my preferred order (I've been to all but Treviso, Brescia and Udine)

Ravenna
Padova
Verona
Vicenza
Bergamo
Mantova
Piacenza
Trento
Cremona

Haven't Been:
Brescia
Treviso
Udine

I usually choose towns on the basis of some particular thing I want to see (mosaics in Ravenna, Palladian architecture in Vicenza, etc.). I also sometimes google images of places. I have also chosen places because I like the way the name sounds. So, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but do some research on Ravenna - it's a beautiful small city.

Thanks everyone - yes, I suppose this list is mostly "cities" but smaller ones. I think Ravenna is too far south for us this time around, but we'll be back...

Bassano del Grappa sounds like a very interesting spot. I am particularly intrigued by the WWI history - is there a good museum or memorial to see? Could one stop in Bassano for, say, only one night?

Folks seem split on whether Bergamo is worth a stop. I'm getting a strong impression that Vicenza and Verona are "musts". I would love to hear from others on this topic!

re: Bassano del Grappa. I don't think you need to sleep there. You can easily do a day trip from Vicenza or Padova. Vicenza is unique in having so much Palladian architecture. None of the others will give you that. The only sight in Mantua that I found compelling was Palazzo Te. I also found Treviso to be less interesting than, say, Padova, Vicenza, or Verona.

If you will be visiting Vicenza and Verona and you are short on time, it would be a good idea to cut out Treviso and Udine. One day in Verona is sufficient to get a decent look at the town, although it does merit more time.

Hi! You don't mention how many days total you have and what other places you are definitely going to. I know many of these places and would say that Verona is on the top for sure, more than one night. Plus you could stay even longer and do day trips to Vicenza, padova, bassano, from there. Vicenza is amazing bc of Palladio's theatre and all of his villas on the Brenta canal between there and Venice. Highly recommend doing the Brenta trip and I hope you are going to Venice! Brescia doesn't have much to offer nor bergamo in my opinion. The old part of bergamo is cute but...bassano is nice to get away to and head north but be sure you don't go on a Sunday when much could be closed. Lake Garda is one the most beautiful places and you should stay there a night or two. 20 mins from Verona. I don't think Ravenna is worth it bc it is far from the north (unless you really want to see the mosaics). Padova is ok but Verona is so much better! Went to mantova w Italian friends yrs back...nice if I recall. I think it's best to stay several nights in Venice and then several in Verona and do relaxing day trips! Enjoy!

All of them have at least a few piazzas or streets or something that is worth visiting. Verona and Padua are the absolute must see. I think it's easier to choose the ones to eliminate. I would skip Brescia, Trento, Piacenza, and Treviso. If you have the time to visit all others, even go for just a half day each, I think you will be happy. Personally I like Udine more than Vicenza, but both are beautiful Palladian gems. If you see Piazza della liberta' at night in Udine, you will be mesmerized.
Do a Google image search and see what you like.

I would agree that you wouldn't need to spend the night in Bossano. A few hours would do fine. I'm not sure about a museum but there is a street, Viale dei Martiri, that is lined with trees that stand as a memorial to Italian partisans hung by the Germans in WW2. Each tree has a plaque with the name of the victim and most have a picture as well. The Poli grappa distillery is located in Bossano also which was a fun little tour.

I am reading all your thoughts with great interest, and appreciate the help! Soon I hope to shape up an itinerary which i'll post later and invite to be critiqued! We are staying a whole month, but want a "slow travel" feel, so we won't be roaming too much all over the country. It's roughly: four days in Milan, some smaller cities and towns for a week, then a week in the Dolomites, then some open time, then four days in Venice, then home.

I haven't been to Trento since I was a kid, so I don't remember much. But if you go let me know if it's really that great. Trento or Ravenna always always top the rankings of Italy's most livable cities for quality of life. Maybe if you go to the Dolomites you might stop for a bit.

Thanks to all of you who replied in this thread. You all really helped me think through my itinerary and priorities. Here are two sample itineraries - I would love to know what you all think. Lots of experienced travelers here with great suggestions.

Itinerary #1
Milan - 4 nights
Lake Garda - 3 nights (Sirmione, Malcesina, Riva del Garda)
Dolomites - 5 nights (pass thru Trento, Bolzano, stay in Ortisei)
Dobbiaco, Lienz (?) - 2 nights on way to --->
Ljubljana, Slovenia - 4 nights
Trieste - 2 nights
Venice - 4 nights
Vicenza - 2 nights
Sesto Calende on Lake Maggiore - 1 night before flight home

Itinerary #2
Milan - 4 nights
Lake Garda - 3 nights (Sirmione, Malcesina, Riva del Garda)
Dolomites - 5 nights (pass thru Trento, Bolzano, stay in Ortisei)
Vicenza - 3 nights, (day trip to Bassano del Grappa)
Venice - 4 nights
Verona - 3 nights
??? - 2 nights
Bergamo - pass through for 1 night? or perhaps see smaller towns on way to -->
Sesto Calende on Lake Maggiore - 1 night before flight home

I think I already know what you're all going to say :)

I think someone may have already mentioned this, but make sure you have an alternate transport option to get to the airport on your last day other than train in case of a train strike. Not sure if squeezing in Lake Maggiore for only one day is a good idea. You might be tired at the end of the trip and not in the mood to squeeze that in.

Yes, we aren't doing anything at Lake Magg. except for waiting for the flight, having a last meal in Italy, and then taking a Taxi to the airport the next AM. Just a farewell stop.

Bergamo is an easy daytrip from Milano, and most sights in Milano can be seen within a couple of days, so I might cut one night from there and put it elsewhere, maybe a 2-night stay on Lago Maggiore before you return home.

We will arrive in Milan and suffer through some jet lag, so the first of our three nights in Milan doesn't really count in my opinion. Thanks for the Bergamo recommendation - planning to see it briefly on our return toward Malpensa, later in the trip.