Pavia

From a quick "google" search here are some attractions:
"Pavia is a city south of Milan, in Italy. It’s known for the Certosa di Pavia, which is a Renaissance monastery complex, with sculptural and fresco decorations, north of town. In the city center, the centuries-old University of Pavia houses the University History Museum. It displays scientific and medical equipment dating as far back as the Middle Ages. The university’s botanic garden has roses and medicinal plants."
I would check out booking.com for hotels and B&Bs and Trip Advisor for restaurants and other attractions.

Good choice. We stayed 2 nights a few years ago and loved the city. We used booking.com and got a little apt. that's no longer listed. To choose accommodation, look at its location relative to the long main street - Strada Nuova - for most of the action and attractions are accessed along that axis. It slopes down to the river and has frequent tram/bus service to save you walking needlessly. A real sleeper is the Basilica of Santissimo Salvatore/San Michele Maggiore from 657 AD where the Lombard kings were crowned.

Thanks, Mike. That's what I needed. I read blogposts, guidebooks and forum comments on day visits to Pavia but no one suggested an area in which to stay.