Scheduling Help in Emilia Romagna

If you wanted to base in one town, Parma would be the most central, so cheapest and shortest daily train rides to visit the other cities. If you wanted to spend more time in Bologna, then maybe skew that to Modena.

From cities on the main train line, Cremona or Mantua/Mantova might require a change of trains, but that's not the end of the world. Stopping at Cremona on the way south would also be a detour off the main rail line, but with your luggage in tow, and probably no bag storage office. Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it. Or www.trenitalia.com gives the info in a different format and sells the tickets.

If you are an efficient traveller and move easily then I would go with a few one night stays. Make your train journeys between locations in the late afternoon/early evening. Enjoy the intimacy and ease of the smaller centres.

Day
1. Train to Cremona (1)
2. Day in Cremona then late train to Mantova (1)
3. Day in Mantova then late train to Modena (3)
4. Day to Bologna
5. Day to Parma
6. Day in Modena then late train to Ferrara (1)
7. Day in Ferrara then late train to Venice

What is your preference, pull up stakes every day and change location, or camp out in one spot? Changing locations everyday takes time out of every day, Day tripping also has its draw backs in more time going back and forth and extra train ticket expenses. Your call.