I can only speak for northern Italy. We stayed on Lake Como, and absolutely loved it. Fairy tale lake surrounded by misty mountains. Wonderful seclusion if that's what you're looking for. I was skeptical about Venice; expecting it to be overcrowded and dirty from what I'd heard. Absolutely loved it, and you can always escape the (other) tourists. A highly recommended visit if you've not already been. Verona was a day trip, and we couldn't stand it. I've heard if you take some time to actually explore the area it's wonderful, but that advice came a little late. My wife lived in Germany for a bit, so drop me a line if you'd like specific recommendations.