Italian cities have some of the world’s most exquisitely detailed historic buildings, so visiting five cities in northern Italy in five days could initially seem to be a bit overambitious. But, in truth, our springtime trip to la Bella Italia all started with a geographical slip-up.

With plan to visit Florence and Bologna before going to stay with friends in Piacenza for a night or two, I impulsively bought very reasonably priced return fares to the tiny airport outside Verona (with a 15-minute bus ride to Verona train station) without fully scrutinising the map.