We are considering Parma, Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna, and Modena. What do you recommend for a city or cities to stay in? We will have about five days.

Also: Has anyone stayed in the area and taken a day trip to Sansepolcro?

Thank you!

Drove thru Sansepulcro en route to Ravenna and Ancona to catch ferry to Croatia....we enjoyed stopping off at RSM (Republic of San Marino)..unusuallittle place. Elevstors take you up to the main level where the city is. Colorful.

Have stayed in Ferrara twice. Both times I day tripped to Ravenna. Both times I stayed here: http://www.borgonuovo.com/joomla/

Would go back, but not for a full five days.

Visited the Museo Civico in San Sepolcro, the birthplace of Piero della Francesca. Lovely medieval town. Don't miss a visit to Monterchi, a few miles away, for the Madona del Parto, also by Piero della Francesca.
Have been to Ravenna (1 night) Ferrara (day trip from Bologna) and Bologna (4 nights)

We based ourselves in Bologna. Took day trips by train to Parma, Ferrara, Ravenna, Modena. Very easy to do. Also by train we overnighted in Mantua. We drove to San Sepolcro on the Piero della Francesca trail from Arrezzo via SS to Urbino. And to Monterchi somewhere along the way.

Have been to all those places. From Parma you might want to visit Cremona.
If you're an opera fan…. Verdi… Busseto is an interesting stop near by.

Have had good stays in Bologna and Ferrara. (And Mantua…Urbino is very interesting but might be a bit farther.)

I've stayed in Ferrara a couple times (nice place if you rent a bike) but tend to stay right by the train station in Bologna. The Mercure right across the street can be great value, and makes daytripping a breeze, though there are plenty other solid hotel options not far from the station.

Haven't be to San Sepolcro, but you could actually stay in Bologna and take a train to the others IMO.

What dfourh says.