We are leaving soon for a week in the northern Italy area, staying three nights in Padua and three nights in Milan. We have rented a car to do day trips from these two cities. We will take a day to go to Venice; we've been there three weeks in the past 5 years. Excepting Venice,any "must see" places or "must eat" restaurants in this northern Italy area?

I haven't gotten a trip report together yet, but we were recently in that area (not to Milan, but in the Veneto). Here is a photo album:

http://www.rozault.com/Italy2005

which also has a link to a blog my husband kept during the trip.

I have to say that Padua was our least favorite city on the trip; you will notice that there are no photos from there, since I didn't find much that was very photogenic. I think my reaction probably had something to do with only being there on a Monday afternoon when almost everything was closed. I was not at all taken with the city in general though -- it seemed kind of scruffy to me and full of minor annoyances (like for example, the tourist office directing us to the public toilets but failing to note that they were closed).

We went mainly to see the Scrovegni Chapel, which was worth visiting, although I did find the setup that only allows you 15 minutes of viewing time another one of those annoyances that put me off.

We enjoyed Verona, Vicenza, and Treviso in that area, as well as the Palladian villas. Don't miss the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza -- I didn't know much about it before we went there, and it was an amazing place. The audioguides are worth renting -- it's the only place I've been where an option has been to get one guide with two sets of headphones, which actually worked out pretty well.

We had a good lunch in Verona at Al Bersagliere, Via Della Pallone, a Slow Food establishment, where the owner was a big American football fan.

just also did a bit of the same itinerary.. there is so much to see..
but here are some places i would go back to on my own, or to show someone:

vicenza
marostica
sirmione
lago di garda, (weather permitting) east or west side.. we have done both.
bergamo citta alta

verona (did not go this trip, but enjoyed it other time)

i have a recent thread here with restaurants. will try to post link.

(p.s. just tried.. can't open my personal threads. maybe you can try.)

Here's lincasanova's trip report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34691065

If you're a wine lover, don't miss Bottega del Vino in Verona.

We spent a few nights in Vicenza in June. For a day trip, we visited Marostica and Bassano del Grappa and then went off in search of specific villas. Fine trip, but you might prefer to drop the villa search and go to Asolo (or elsewhere).

We also spent an evening at Riva del Garda at the northern end of Lake Garda (a beautiful, mountainous setting). Thomas Cook publishes a rather good book on this area.

We had intended to go to Bergamo but never quite got there.

Agree with nonnafelice about Padua. Verona or Vicenza are better tourist choices. I'd say use Verona as your base-there are 2 collosea. If you like architecture, make a visit to La Rotonda (Jefferson copied it for Monticello) in Vicenza. Check books/Net for Villa Bararo near Mazur. It isn't open everyday but is another Palladio that has gotten good reviews. Look forward to your report!

La Rotunda is very popular. The interior however is only open one day a week. That might influence your itinerary.

Great catch, Doble_Vergasser! I had forgotten about that. Cool house and area.