Greetings! We found a great flight to Italy for late April - mid-May, 2025. We've decided to explore the area around Bologna. It is one of the few areas in Italy we have not been to. At the moment we have not booked a return date so I have 5-6 days to add to or insert into the following suggested itinerary. I would appreciate comments and suggestions as to what might make good additions.

We are in our early (very early!) 70's. We enjoy wandering around towns, peeking into churches, checking out museums, eating fabulous food and drinking lovely wines. We generally like to include some level of physical activity in each day and are in good physical shape. Some of our best trips have been hiking in the Dolomites combined with staying half-board at a great family run inn. We prefer small hotels and BnB's,

In the past we have always rented a car, but our spring 2023 trip to Sicily (trip report still in draft form) made us realize that going forward we want to travel by train/bus. We plan to use Bologna as a base for part of the time, but also want to enjoy some of the other towns overnight. We have toyed with the thought of adding Trieste, but wonder if the juice isn't worth the squeeze for this itinerary. Close by we have been to Venice, Verona, and Lake Garda. We are flying into and out of Milan, but have already spent time there so will stay long enough to deal with the initial jet lag.

2 nights - Milan
2 nights - Parma - 2 nights
5 nights - Bologna with day trips to Modena and Ferrara
2 nights - Ravenna
3 nights - Padova with day trips to Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza. Bassano appeals to me, and I am considering staying there with day trips to Padova
3 nights - Bergamo
6 nights - open with the last one needing to be in or near Milan for a flight home.

It's early enough in the planning stage to play with this itinerary, although it is already difficult to find accommodations I like in Parma and Bologna.
Many thanks for your input.

It sounds like you'll have a lovely time. A few comments...

Unless you're arriving very late in the day, I would take the train on arrival to Parma instead of Milan (and maybe extend your time there and visit Mantova). Then stay in Milan at the end of your holiday, seeing as you have to be there anyway (or stay in Stresa and catch the bus to Malpensa). It is possible to day trip to Parma and Ravenna from Bologna but might be nicer to stay over night.

If you want to visit Padova, Bassano and Vicenza, you will probably want more than 2 days (3 nights). We once did a day trip from Vicenza to Bassano and it was fine. You could equally well base yourselves in Bassano del Grappa or Vicenza.

For your extra nights, the options are many. Maybe Piedmonte, one of the lakes (Como, Maggiore, Orta etc), or Trento? I would also consider an extra night or two in Bologna.

I wonder whether you are finding accommodation difficult to find not because it's booked out but because hotels aren't yet releasing dates. We never book this far out.

I loved my apartment in Parma! https://www.vrbo.com/10198323ha?unit...2Bhasc%2Bemail

Also, had 2 very good dinners at La Greppia on the same street as the apartment, only a few doors down across the street! I ate there 2 of my 3 nights in Parma, it was that good. You can see pics and reviews on TripAdvisor, etc.

I stayed in most of the towns you are visiting. If it helps, here’s a link to my TR and pics. A Tour through Northern Italy

Thank you, Dreamon, for the suggestions. Mantova had not been on my radar, so I will definitely do some research. Thank you, also, for noting that many places do not open their calendar so far in advance.

Thank you, Joannyc, for the link and restaurant suggestion. I read your report before I put our itinerary together, and enjoyed it. Some beautiful photos, too!

I vote for the Lakes, PJTravels. You can easily take day train trips from Bologna. I second staying in Ravenna 2 nights... maybe 3??

Thanks very much, PJTravels!