I'd like to visit northern Italy for a month. When is the best time to go?

September and February are the months when the "Settimana della moda" is. September is definitively the better month, as February can be very cold and rainy. Be aware that Milan is completely packed during this time and the prices are at their highest. During the year there are numerous interesting events dedicated to design, aschitecture, etc... visit www.fieramilano.com to know them all. The best time as weather is concerned is March to June and September. July and August are too hot and the city is half empty... In Milan there is always something going on...For hotels, I can suggest Hotel Manin (www.hotelmanin.com), which is walking distance to most interesting places and not outrageously expensive, but there are many good hotels in the city. Milano is the best place in Italy for shopping, nightlife, modern Art, and is very close to very relaxing places such as Lake Maggiore and Lake of Como, best seen in springtime...