so Verona and Bologna and day trips from there are new to us>

and both are IME super nice towns- Bolgona is said to have more classified medieval buildings than any town in Italy I once read.

You have been to Venice? If not possible day trip from Verona as would be Padua.

Yes PalenQ we have been to Venice twice. This will probably be our last trip to Italy so I am trying to combine our favorites (SML and Bellagio) with some new cities.
I am just hesitating now about time of year (Oct 5-18). Too cool, too rainy?
I know we cannot predict the weather! So I need to make a decision before this set of business FF are gone like the Sept.21-Oct. 4th are no longer available.
Thanks again for your continued help!