lago di garda is in verona. near where i live. nice place full of deutche hotties! http://www.tourism.verona.it/_vti_g1_1.aspx
I wouldn't go to Florence, but neither to a small town. I'd probably take a city like Siena or Livorno.
bolzano is pretty..all small towns are usually full of historical and mediaeval monuments and a very picturesque. i would be embarassed if i had the choice of where to live. florence is beautiful and very romantic. prolly the most impressive city. i'd like to have a house there. venice we know what a spot it is but has been taken over by strangers...very expensive as well, not sure.
I would just leave out the boring ones My preference still goes to Bologna, or in the region (Parma, Ferrara, etc.)