Hello, I am trying to finalize a 10 day itinerary in Northern Italy.
We are traveling in July and will rent a car. We have 2 nights in C.T, 2 nights in Ferrara (to visit friends) , 2 nights in Venice, 1 night outside the airport in Milpensia.

That leaves us with 2 nights at the start of our trip. I am deciding between the Lakes (which would hopefully include a drive into the alps - looks like a pretty drive from Como towards Switzerland), or going straight to Val D'Aosta, or going to the Dolomites (Val Gardena area). If we went to the Dolomites we would turn our trip around and head to Venice next instead of C.T.

Our goal for these 2 nights would be to see some fabulous scenery, take some short walks and of course begin to get over our jet lag. Which of these areas would you consider a must see?

You do not say where you land---I will assume MXP.

I would drop the CT---add a day to Venice---and definitely see the fabulous Dolomites.

yes, sorry MXP. Can't add a day to Venice. My husband didn't really want to go to Venice in the first place. 2 nights is already a compromise. Will the dolomites give me the feel of being in Switzerland for a day? And if so where would you recommend staying?

Dolomites for me.

"My husband didn't really want to go to Venice in the first place", let me guess....
it smells. No it doesn't.
it is full of Americans. well...
it is expensive. You seen the E/$ recently?
it is full of fat boats with tourists on mass. Bingo, let him have that one

If not Venice, chose somewhere else on the lagoon and commute, not maybe as nice but think outside the box. I saw Chiogga on the TV last night, looks ok.

Thanks, My husband and I had both been to Venice in our 20's and we are now traveling with our 20 and 17yo children. I would like for them to experience Venice for a bit and I do think the best way for that is to stay in the city. If they love it they can always go back on their own dime. Dolomites do seem to be a favorite so far. Also curious why bobthenavigator said to skip Cinque Terre. Too crowded? Too far?

jill, best to stay intown is right.

It is all about your time---I see the Dolomites as a better destination than the CT and your time is limited.

Look in Ortisei in the Val Gardena to stay, but also consider the charming village of Castelrotto for hiking in the Alpi di Suisi.

"Will the dolomites give me the feel of being in Switzerland for a day?"
I don't know what you mean with "feel of Switzerland".
If you mean big glaciers and high peaks, then Aosta Valley would be better for sure. But the drive from Malpensa airport to the big glaciers of Switzerland (Aletsch Glacier, etc.) would be shorter than that to Aosta Valley.

Val Gardena is beautiful, but has nothing to do with glaciers etc. The really high mountains and big glaciers in this area of Europe are around Bernina (Swiss-Italian border), Oetztal/Pitztal (Austria close to Italian border) and Sulden (Alto Adige).