Northern Italy Itinerary - Venice, Verona, Dolomites, Bologna, Lake Como

There is also the famous Barolo wine region south of Torino and Montepulciano.

Como itself is less charming than the towns on Lake Como. There are other lakes and other charming lakeside cities better than Como. Some closer to Verona and Bolzano.

I have come to dread Venice.

Bologna is great - and easy day trips to Parma and Modena.

Ortisei is like a sky resort town. Expensive and newish. Nothing old world charming. We were happier to stay in Bolzano and then a bus into Ortisei then take the cable car up to the Dolomites. Amazing view. It’s cold and elevated and you walk for hours. Thrill to have lunch at one of the cabins. But hours more walking uphill. We were certain be day was enough - unless you are super into hiking and then spend the night in one of the cabins on the mountain.

Your routing looks good as well as the number of nights. I agree with the previous poster about Como. We liked Varenna more. And you have easy access to the boats that will take you to various points on the lake. I could spend all day just cruising around the lake. We went by train everywhere in Northern Italy but rented a car in the Dolomites. The drives are spectacular. We stayed in Castelrotto which is a very small town so maybe your parents would get bored there. Hopefully someone has a better suggestion for where to stay. You say your parents are not hikers but there are easy walks in the Alpe de Suisi which would give them the experience of being in the mountains with spectacular views. I would suggest spending the last night in Milan before your flight home so you don’t feel rushed or stressed trying to get to the airport on time.

2 nights in Verona is at least one too many. Ortisei is fine, but also research a couple of the cute little towns further up the valley. They receive fewer visitors in the non-ski season (IMO). Lake Garda & Malcesine should be considered an option instead of Lake Como. If you insist on Lake Como I would not choose Como as a base.

Just my opinions. I hope you have a great trip!