Tentative plans Northern Italy early autumn- critique welcome

We did a similar trip in 2022 but in opposite direction and no Venice
Stresa-Bergamo-Bologna-Ravenna-Padova-Verona-Milan
It was one of our favorite Italian itineraries.

We really enjoyed our 2 night stay in Ravenna- so that is the only change I would suggest. Maybe go from Verona to Ravenna and stay at least 1 night- then back up to Bologna,

Milan- no interest in the Last Supper? I didn't think I cared about it but am very glad we did see it- super interesting.

Venice- Murano, Burano, and St Michele cemetery might be too much for same day. Go to Burano first

For your day 11 and 12: you could do a daytrip to Lake Garda by public bus.

Some thoughts...
Venice:
- I find Burano and Murano to be a long day adding San Michele sounds like a long day to me. But your mileage may vary. If your vaporetto stops at Mazzorbo get off there and walking along the water take the first door and wander through the winery's garden on the way over to Burano. You'll get there 15 minutes after everyone else so the crowd will have dispersed some as well.
- If you get a chance the traghetto from Santa Maria del Giglio or by San Marco over to the Guggenheim museum side. A great gondola experience for 2e and wander to the Guggenheim from there. Corner Pub is a fun little spot near the Guggenheim if you need to wait for your ticket time as we did.

Verona:
- If you fully explore the Archeological Museum grounds you will get the same castle at the top of the hill views.
- If you like modern art check out the small Palazzo Maffei Casa Museo which mixes ancient and modern art, a palazzo and rooftop tour all into one place overlooking piazza Erbe and is underadvertised. I think Piazza Erbe (looking past the market stands) is one of the prettiest piazzas in Italy. Verona has the 'elegant decay' feeling with faded murals on medieval buildings that the Veneto does so well.
- Verona has several interesting but no blockbuster churches, They have an all churches ticket and it's not a bad way to tour the city because they are spread out - especially San Zeno which is in a cool neighborhood area.
- Al Grottino - Osteria e Sbecoleria is a great hole in the wall place off Piazza Erbe for a drink and cicchetti. They have a limited wine selection but all the ones I tried were great. Cafe Monte Baldo nearby also has great cicchetti and more serious food if you want that. Right near the cafe there is Arcivio a super small, super hip cocktail bar. There is no lack of good restaurants in Verona but read the menu carefully at the older places because the cuisine can be very "traditional".
- Day trips from Verona by train at under an hour include Vicenza, Brescia (my unexpected favorite), Mantua/ova, southern Lake Garda. The suggestion to go by bus (from the Verona train station) to explore the western side of the lake is good one. You can make it as far as Garda without changing buses. You can also train to Peschiera del Garda (12 minutes) and take the ferry.

Milan:
- The Armani silos are a great visit. The cafe is great - art on a plate. But is it also near the Naviglio Grande Canal nightlife area. You need to backtrack some because of the train tracks but look into it. There is also a taxi stand near the museum if you're done.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

For Venice, I hear you that Murano-Burano and San Michele could be too much for one day - I'll think about this a bit more and maybe cut out the cemetery.

Not interested in the Last Supper. I know from other European trips, by the end I'm getting tired of churches and religious artwork. The Duomo will be enough.

I really prefer 3 nights stays or longer over two nights so that's my reason for a day trip to Ravenna.

Most people do Murano and then Burano and Murano is the closer vaporetto stop. You might get some crowd relief by doing Burano first and then going to Murano keeping in mind that Murano is much bigger than Burano. This may also help since you will be heading back to Venice proper from Murano rather than Burano with everyone else in the late afternoon who did Burano second. Especially since Murano is served by multiple lines while Burano is only served by one line so you have more options.

Venice is amazing, have a great visit,
=Tod

One more thing - if you are interested in the lace museum in Burano be aware that right around the corner from there is Dalla Lidia Merletti D'Arte at Via Baldassarre Galuppi, 215. They have an extensive lace collection they are happy, even eager, to share with people in the shop and it makes a great addition to the museum visit.

=Tod