So many people beeline from Milan to Venice, but there is a spectacular event en route worth a stop.
The Verona Opera Festival goes from the end of June to the end of August every year, and is held under the stars, in a 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre (think: Colisseum in Rome) in the center of the city of Verona.
Take the train to Verona, and then get a taxi. Or drive, but arrive a few hours early to get a parking spot (this is what we did when we saw Rigoletto, and we found parking without too much trouble).
Definitely stay the night, don't try to leave Verona after the opera.
The amphitheatre seats 20,000 people, but if you can swing it, opt for the Poltronissima seats, which apart from being great seats, also come with a cushion so protect your tushie during the long performance.
If it rains, they'll cancel the show, and if this happens before the end of Act I, they will issue a refund for the tickets.
