Nice, France to Cremona, and Lake Como, Italy

If you’re thinking about renting a car, you need to be aware of very high international drop-off fees, and ZTLs. Taking the train would be far preferable, I think, and you could still stop at points in between.

You will pay a huge drop fee for dropping a rental car off in a different country. Take a train into Italy and rent a car there.

Do you mean take a train all the way? Or just into Italy?

If you want to drive, take a train to a pickup location in Italy as others have said, like San Remo (many major international rental places have offices there). It is an easy in/out to the main highway, or if you have time, there is a lovely section of coast heading into Savona. The drive is easy, the highways are well signed and the opportunities for stops and side excursions are many (if you have the time)

Thanks everyone. Great tips.