help with plan for Florence, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como.

As I understand it, the Cinque Terre close up during the winter - others will have better info.

To a lesser extent, Lago di Como might not be the best winter choice, either.

Why not go to the Dolomites (Ortisei, perhaps) or some other area that is oriented toward winter hiking and scenery? Then continue to Venezia.

Riverbend, just FYI that the ferries don't run in the Cinque Terre during the winter. Hiking is possible during the cold months but with a larger risk of trails being closed to weather damage or repair. As Zoe said, a lot of businesses will also be closed this time of year.

I don't think you'll have to worry about seeing any beach umbrellas: bring warm clothes!

I'm so sorry your wife has been injured and having to reschedule your trip. Unfortunately, January is very cold in Italy, especially in the northern third of the country. You might find the Amalfi Coast an alternative to the C/T, as it's somewhat warmer. Lake Como is on the Swiss border, and weather in that area can really be tough in Winter.
We once went to Innsbruck skiing, and ran down to Venice. I remember how miserable it was visiting a very cold Venice, especially walking on wooden elevated walkways on St. Marks Square due to high tides.
Have you considered staying in the southern portion of Italy?

Venice and Lake Como January average temperatures are 32 degrees to a high of 44 degrees.
Florence average temperatures are 36 degrees to a high of 52 degrees.
Rome average temperatures are 33 degrees to a high of 53 degrees.
The Amalfi Coast has temperatures between 39 degrees to a high of 55 degrees.

January is not a bad time to visit Italy's main cities as there are not big crowds - in my opinion, it is the best month for Florence as it is the only quiet month.

January is not good for Venice - high water always possible - and all the places with outdoor activities like lakes, seaside towns and beaches. Italy is not a tropical country and winter, while not completely freezing, is severe enough that outdoor activities may not be a pleasure. Of course winter sports in Alpine country are always possible.

So rescheduling the trip to January means that you can schedule an interesting trip, but not necessarily that you can move your summer trip to winter.

Winter is fabulous in the cities or in the alpine regions. Skip the Cinque Terre for all the reasons listed by others. Skip Lake Como for the same reasons. You could use more time in Rome and Venice.

Rome - 4 nights minimum
Florence - 3 nights minimum
Venice - 3 nights minimum

That's 10 nights and leaves two nights by my count. You can add them to The Big Three locations as there is never enough time and there are always day trip possibilities. Or perhaps you'd like to stop in Bologna for a diversion.

Alternatively, If you want some alpine time, you really need to carve out a minimum of 3 nights -- 4 is better -- for the Dolomites. But you'd need to pack appropriate clothing for snow activities. If you want ideas on the Dolomites for winter travel, post again and we can go into the details.

Rome instead of Como and the CT is a very good idea, IMHO. It'll be a great time to enjoy some of the attractions there without the high and shoulder-season crowds.

Another thing to consider is that while your wife's foot will be healed enough for the rescheduled trip (so sorry that you had to put it off!) if may still be tender and a little fragile. I don't know as hiking or alpine activities would be a good idea quite so soon unless it's a somewhat minor break? Concentrating on cities - with a plethora of public transit and lots of interesting places to duck into if the weather is foul - might be a better idea.

I thank you all for your input; it all (to some extent unfortunately) seems so true and logical. All these reasons are why we were trying to go in September instead of January in the first place.

Rome and Florence are still on the itinerary but we definitely have to think more about our best chances for decent weather.

This means heading south I suppose. Specific city suggestions? We'd still like to e on the water for at least part of our stay.
THANKS TO ALL!

Riverbend, have you considered Sicily? It's fascinating and should be milder than the places you are currently thinking about.

Or Rome and then head to Puglia. But some of the popular destinations in Puglia are what I call "cute little coastal towns", and I believe those spots would be pretty dead in winter. Lecce and Alberobello would still have their wonderful architecture, though.

I agree with the comment about treating your wife's foot gently for awhile. Rain + cobblestones is not a great combo even on uninjured legs.

Edit: Must it be Italy? Two or three days in Athens then to Crete might be worth thinking about.

Riverbend,

Sorry to hear about your wife's injury...

Varenna is a beautiful place to visit but not in the winter.

My mom & I were there in early October, two years ago, & I overheard the hotel owner telling another guest that they close down for the winter due to bad weather, starting early November until mid March.

Is it possible to reschedule your trip to the Spring?

Best wishes to your wife for a complete recovery.

We went to Puglia November last year, Northern Puglia was really dead (peschicci; foggia)
Bari was nice as well as several villages on the Coast. It was not cold but rainy.
Sicily is much warmer. In Winter, you can also go to Elba.
Elba is small and diverse and never cold. Rent a car if you want to go to some secluded areas, there is an ice cream shop in Portoferraio which I still remember ... And I leave in Italy. Sardegna is another option but might be dead in the South. North is too posh for my liking.

Carneval events in Venice start February 11-12, if you're still there. I enjoyed Venice in spite of the cold, even though my layers didn't compare to the local ladies' fur coats. Near Venice, Padova also has its main sights indoors (Scrovegni Chapel and related museum). Siena is also a great stop for a couple of nights, or a day trip from Florence if you want to stay longer in one hotel.

Definitely wouldn't visit Cinque Terre or Lake Como in January - Early February ; both places will be ghost towns at this time of year, I would stick to the cities.