I think I might have posted this twice. Anyway, last summer my husband and I traveled to Italy for the first time. We couldn't have even begun to plan the trip without all of the help from the expert travelers out there. Believe it or not, I am beginning to plan a trip to northern Italy for next summer. We will have 14 touring days in addition to 2 travel days. Any recommendations as to an itinerary? Flying into and out of? Number of days in each location? We were in Venice for four days last summer. Even though we loved Venice,I don't think we will return next summer, and use the time for touring other places. Thanks. Helene

Here is a good start:

BOB the NAVIGATORS’ FIVE FAVORITE ITINERARIES
__________________________________________________ ______________

MAGICAL FAIRYLANDS:
* Arrive and depart Munich--14 nites--May thru Sep.--car travel
* ITINERARY: Salzburg, Dolomites, Venice, Lake Garda, Bavaria
============================================
BELLA ITALIA:
* Arr Milan, dep Venice--15 nites--car & train travel--April thru Oct.
* ITINERARY: Lakes, Ligurian coast, Tuscany, Florence, Venice
============================================
CLASSIC ITALIA:
* Arrive & depart Rome--12 to 14 nites--car & train travel, all year
* ITINERARY: Florence, Tuscan & Umbrian hilltowns, Rome
============================================
LA DOLCE VITA:
* Arr & dep Rome--12 nites--car & train travel--March thru Oct.
* ITINERARY: Amalfi coast, Tuscan hilltowns, Rome
============================================
OF ALPS & LAKES:
* Arrive and depart Zurich--12 nites--train travel--June thru Sep.
* ITINERARY: Berner Oberland, Lugano, Lake Como, Luzern

THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: My personal favorites—north to south.
• Arr Milan & dep Rome---car travel---plan 3 nites per location
• Lake Orta, Castelrotto, Portovenere, Montalcino, Ravello
===============================

It would probably be easiest to fly into Milan for you and go from there - I would recommend visiting Lake Como for sure.

I agree about Venice - I have the "been there, done that" attitude after visiting twice and next trip I don't want to go back...I'd rather see other places I have never visited! Have a fabulous trip!

You might find my recent report useful...

http://tinyurl.com/n6vmr

Good idea !
Tuck's report has some detail on some of my favorite places in N. Italy.

Helene-We are off to the Lakes Region, Dolomites and Venice this year (38 days and counting down). We were in Northern Italy a few years ago, see our trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34699548
We really like the 3 location vacation in the roughly two week time period. You can pack less (because you have time to launder & dry your clothing) and you feel rested and connected. Day trips here and there from your base are easy enough to do, yet it is easy also to stay put if that is how you feel on one of the days. Anxious to hear your plans unfold. We will post a trip report when we return. Shirley

bookmarking this for later...

Helene - Not sure what part of Northern Italy you are planning on, but we spent 5 nights in the Piedmont region in Acqui Terme this summer and just loved it!! We stayed at a wonderful B&B called Baur B&B. It was absolutely perfect. Here is the link to my trip report which gives more details:http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34830020

Bookmarking for later.

Northern Italy is a very large place, dense with things to see and do. It would be helpful if you indicated what part of Northern Italy you're planning to see.

Personally, I would choose the Classic Italia schedule you mentioned, but each itenerary has something to offer. Mv second choice is La Docle Vita only because it include the Amalfi coast. You will never forget your drive around those hairpin curves. Finally, I live the Village Sampler because I remember Montalcino and Ravello so fondly. Have a wonderful trip, Helene.