Asking the experts here. What do you think of this itinerary?

I think it sounds like a great itinerary - not too rushed. Rome is hot in July, yes, but there's lots of shade and it's quite doable. We were there last mid-July and Rome was way better feeling than the south of France, and definitely more shady spots to stand in.

I agree with others about starting in Venice. Venice is small and you can basically walk the whole city. Have you flown to Europe before? If not, you don't know how jetlag will affect you or if you can sleep on the plane. Venice kind of eases you into Italy, whereas Rome is huge and you really have to plan your "attack" on it, so to speak. So I think you're fine either way, but I don't think late June will be that much different than July weather-wise.

I think it is good. I actually like the idea of starting in Rome and ending in Lake Como. If I can I start at the point furthest away and work back closer. All relative of course. And if you are after relaxation and would like that to be the last thing you do I think it looks good.

very nice- good amount of time in each location.

Very smart to be traveling in one direction. The Villa Malpensa, 15 minutes from MXP, has a very good restaurant, a friendly bartender, and a shuttle. They also have a pool.

Siena take the bus, which goes to the center of town.

I think your itinerary is very good. I like that you will be able to relax at Lake Como before heading home. I don’t think you would be able to relax at the CT as much, especially in June with all the crowds.

Your itinerary works.
Generally we suggest not to end in Venice because the airport is far from the city center and it’s hard to make an early morning flight.

The weather doesn’t differ much between north and south at that time of the year. It’s hot wherever you go.

Looks good! The only thing I'd question is 4 nights in Bellagio. There really is very little to "do" there; to use Rick's great phrase, there are very few "turnstile attractions." Make sure you really will be happy resting, and not doing much else, for that whole time.

If you do want to take a night from Bellagio, you could either add it to Venice, or spend an extra night in Milan (despite its reputation, there are definitely more than a day's worth of good sights there).

Very nice itinerary; well done! I'll echo Harold about maybe taking a day from Bellagio for an extra in Milan? Even if using it as a spot to chill out, Bellagio would probably get old for us after 2 nights or so (we did it as a day trip) although you could always hop a ferry to explore other locations around the lake.

We will be in Italy later this summer and part of our trip will include 4 nights on Lake Como (Cadenabbia). We are hikers/walkers and i wish we had more time there. Here is one long walk that looks very interesting and could easily take an entire day.

https://greenwaylagodicomo.com/en/

On the other side of the lake, the Wayfarer's Trail is longer and looks a bit more ruggged but equally beautiful.

https://www.eccolecco.it/en/sport-and-free-time/lecco-excursions-trekking/wayfarers-trail-lecco/

Perhaps not "restful" physically, but a nice break from crowds, schedules, and booking tickets for major attractions.

Have fun planning!

You folks are the best, THANK YOU for all your input. I’ve learned so much here and the process/planning really is half the fun.

A few years ago we did London AND Paris in only 8 nights and, of course, we had to see everything!! I will not make that mistake again.

I would suggest flying into Venice if at all possible, but of course it depends on flights. Marco Polo (VCE) is not a big airport, small compared to Rome, and is a twenty minute bus ride to Venice proper. The bus deposits you just about on the Grand Canal.
Or take a water taxi, which will cost you about 110 euro, and have you feeling like a film star.

Venice is great for getting over jet lag, no vehicles and you can walk just about everywhere.

gparvin- It is clear you have done your homework and put together a really nice well paced itinerary.

As far as into Venice, out of Rome question- well- we've done both. I debated for weeks when planning our first trip- thought getting Rome out of the way at start would be best- but we did end up flying into Venice and out of Rome and it worked out really well. Venice is a great place to get over jet lag, easier city to deal with than Rome.
2nd trip we flew into Rome and out of Venice and I knew ahead of time all the warnings about early flights/getting to airport etc- our flight was at 11- so it was an early day but we knew exactly how to get there and had no problems.

If the best flights that are available to you are into Rome - out of Milan then go with that as you have planned. Venice is in the middle- that will be just fine. It's just that last night near MXP that feels like a "wasted" night to me.

I have traveled this same itinerary late August - early September Excluding Lake Como. It was wonderful! You have ample days in each. Be mindful that museums and such are closed on Sunday in Florence. I'm not sure about Rome, you may want to check on that. While in Venice, Murano & Burano are wonderful islands to include! Harry's Bar San Marco 1323 is cipriani.com a famous restaurant known for the Bellini..

I haven't been to Como . . . yet. I have never found Venice to be hectic, unlike Rome or even Florence, it is easy to find peace and quiet just a few minutes' walk from the most crowded spots - and I've been to Venice when it's most crowded during Carnevale. So I would move at least one, hopefully 2, nights to Venice from Como.

Also consider that a "rest stop" is much better in the middle of your trip than at the end :-)

Despite all the advice to start in Venice and work towards Rome, we just went this June and started in Rome and worked our way up toward Venice. This was our first trip to Italy and it worked out fine for us. Like you, we wanted to start where it was warmer and work out way north over our 2 week trip

To me the drive to Bellagio is a waste of time driving up on a long narrow road. We stayed there on our first visit; on our second we stayed at the Villa Belvedere: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g664175-d314703-Reviews-Villa_Belvedere_Como_lake_Relais-Argegno_Lake_Como_Lombardy.html on the West side of Lake Como near Argegno. Free parking & within a short walk to the lake ferry where you can tour Bellagio and other lakeside villages.

I vote for Lake Como over CT; too crowded especially the time of year you are going so good decision on that. I would also visit other villages i.e. San Gimignano on a day trip from Florence. 4 nights is too long, you can tour Florence in a day even if you have tickets to David etc.
Enjoy,
Jean

Hi jean.h3131,

Thank you for your input on Lake Como & staying in Bellagio. I didn't realize getting to Bellagio from the Milan train station may be more difficult than other parts of the lake? Was thinking we'd arrive via Varenna and take the ferry to Bellagio. We're eyeing there because friends have stayed at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni and loved it.

I know Rick recommends staying in Varenna.

"I didn't realize getting to Bellagio from the Milan train station may be more difficult than other parts of the lake? Was thinking we'd arrive via Varenna and take the ferry to Bellagio."

Getting to Bellagio the way you propose is not difficult. It just takes one more step than getting to Varenna (train plus ferry, as opposed to train alone).

The poster above said that driving there was difficult, but if you're not driving, that's not an issue.

Once you're ensconced at any one of the mid-lake towns, you take a ferry to the others, so they're all equally convenient as a base.