Italian city break recommendations

[Blastandtroph]

DH and I will be celebrating a big wedding anniversary next year and are keen to get away for a few nights.

Loved city breaks pre DC, particularly Paris, Barcelona and Prague. Keen to go to Italy as never been.

Where would others recommend for 3 nights away? We enjoy history and eating out.

Any hotel recommendations too would be helpful - as it's a special occasion keen for somewhere fairly luxurious but non-pretentious and relaxed.

Thank you.

Apart from that's not a city break - so I go back to my original vote of Venice!

@TheDogsMother
It's lovely. I was 4 months pregnant though so was annoyed about the unlimited prosecco but my husband very much enjoyed.
We stayed on the top floor, I think one of the bigger rooms they have and it is up ALOT of stairs. I could only do it once a day really. I think most places in Venice are like that though. And it's worth it for the roof terrace!
The guy that owns/manages it was so lovely and gave us a hand annotated map of loads of great places to eat.
And the location is brilliant. Close to st Marc's but far enough away it's not super touristy.
Have a lovely time!

Thanks all. We are looking at next April/May.

DH is keen on Rome at present. I'm going to research all your ideas - lots of food for thought.

Verona, very romantic and you can do a day trip to Lake Garda - worth it for the ice cream

I can't believe all the Bologna love on mumsnet! It must have something I'm missing.

I liked Milan. Go on top of the Cathedral, tour La Scala, see The Last Supper, have a gelato in La Galleria, visit the San Siro. I'm not saying go to Milan but I think it's got a lot going for it.

For history, it's got to be Rome but Venice and Florence lovely as well. All busy though.