We are booking a trip to Northern Italy for next April: 11-22 and plan to fly into Milan and out of Venice. Have not done any preliminary planning AT ALL! but expect that we will either do the Bellagio area and Portofino - or start in Florence and work our way up to Venice for our departure. 2 questions:
1. Is the weather typically very cold and raining during this time?
2. Any recommended "must do" cities to consider for the itinerary?
Thanks!

IN that time I would see a max of 3 destinations. I would skip the lakes that early, but would include Santa Margherita/Portofino, Florence, and Venice--perhaps in reverse order depending on Vencie departure times.

I have been in Italy at this time, Bellagio in mid-March, Venice in March and in April and Florence in March and in April. On both trips there was only 1 day of rain, that I recall, and that was in Florence in March. It was cool (light jacket) and clear the remaining days, and I thought the weather was perfect.

definitely leaving out of Venice. So I'm thinking: Milan - 1 day, train to either Cinque Terre or Portofino$$ for 2 days- then Florence - 3 days.... and drive to Venice?

OR

Milan - 1 day, ... Bellagio? Parma? Piedmont? forget Florence.... end in Venice.

decisions, decisions..........
welcome thoughts!

If you're arriving on the 11th and leaving on the 22nd you hve only 10 days on the ground. I wold stick with 2 hotels and a day trip from each place - otherwise you will spend a large part of your vacation in transit.