Trieste or Lugano
 

We have purchased round-trip tickets to Milan for the week after Easter.

We are definitely going to visit the Duomo and the Last Supper in Milan the day we arrive then we are taking the train to Venice. We will be there for 3 days. I have been to St. Mark's square and the tourist spots in Venice. This time I would like to see Murano and Burano. How much time do you think we should spend on each island?

After that we have 4 days to use. I have been to Italy 5 times as an adult, but my friend only went to Italy when she was 10. She is looking for a "WOW" experience. Great views, architecture and food.

When we leave Venice, I am thinking of taking the train for 2 days in Trieste then on the way back to Milan spending a 2 days in Verona. She is thinking of taking the train to Verona for 2 days then to Lugano for 2 days. Which would you recommend?

If you include Torcello (which you should), figure one whole day for the islands of Murano and Burano - Burano is the most interesting IMO.

I love Verona and Lugano too - that's my vote. Lake Lugano is the most fjordlike of all The Lakes.

I really like Lugano but it is more expensive if that is a factor. Consider Stresa on Lago Maggiore--about the same time factor but closer to MXP. Trieste did not do much for me.

Here are a few random ideas from trips I have taked to Venice and beyond - Ravenna has amazing mosiacs, Padua (easy day trip) has amazing frescos. I have not been to Trieste or Verona. We did not like Vincenza. We went to Torcello for lunch one day at the Locanda Cipriani and it was delightful. I did not think it was too expensive for the quality and the service - wwe paid more in Venice for much less (but I'm not a fan of Venice dining, for the most part - too many mediocre, expensive restaurants. Do some homework on where to eat!) The water bus went by Murano and Burano but we did not stop but it would make a delightful day to do all three. Have a wonderful trip.

Not Lugano for the architectural and historic wow factor, those would be the wrong reasons, it's a nice town on a nice lake, but...
Not Trieste either for those same reasons.
If the historic/artistic/architectural wow factor is really what you are after, then I agree with the poster who suggested Ravenna (the byzantine mosaics - google and look, they are unique and amazing), and Padua/Padova (Giotto frescoes) which is only 25 minutes by train from Venice, and Verona on your way back to Milan.

Go to Murano as early in the day as possible if you want to see any factory demonstrations or even peek in an open door to watch a piece being made. The factories get pretty quiet after lunch.

Thank you so much to you all. Great suggestions! I will talk to my friend and see what she thinks.

We just returned from Verona and Vicenza. They are both wonderful cities filled with history and interesting architecture.