Florence or Venice? I've visited both Northern Italian cities, and this is a surprisingly difficult choice for me. Here's my honest comparison of history, beauty, crowds, prices, things to do and how long I'd stay in each.

Lake Como or Lake Maggiore? I visited both Italian lakes and, honestly, Lake Como was my favourite. But Lake Maggiore has some big advantages if you want a quieter trip or want to combine Italy with Switzerland.

Venice or Verona? I visited both during my Northern Italy travels and, honestly, I preferred Venice. But that doesn't mean Verona isn't worth visiting. Here's my honest comparison of crowds, prices, things to do, atmosphere and travel experience.