In what order; Rome, C.T., Florence, Venice - OR - Rome, Florence, C.T., Venice

If you have a 12:15 PM flight out of Venice, the usual warnings about flying out of Venice being difficult (due to the difficulty and/or expense of getting to the airport for an early departure) do not apply. So you'll be fine.

Your first plan is best: Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice. If you do it the other way, Cinque Terre to Venice is about 5 hours. Doing it the first way, your longest leg is Rome to Cinque Terre, under 4 hours. Not only that, but your legs get shorter as you go.

"want's to get Rome over with."

Well, now that I have finished crying, I vote Rome , CT, Florence, Venice order.

Another vote for the Rome>Cinque Terre>Florence>Venice.

Well, now that I have finished crying...

Joe, if you're done with them, please pass me the Kleenex? 😢

For the Rome to Cinque Terre trip, consider taking one of the IC or Freccia trains that goes from Roma Termini to La Spezia Centrale along the coastal route without changes. I took the Freccia train and thought it was a good option. While the direct train isn't significantly faster than the route via Florence, it will save you one or two changes (Florence and possibly Pisa). I purchased my ticket online, including the regional train from La Spezia to Monterosso. The regional train ticket was pre-validated and good for 4 hours. The scheduled regional train didn't run, but I was able to catch the next regional train to Monterosso since it was well within the 4 hour validity period of the ticket. Normally I wouldn't suggest buying regional train tickets in advance, but it can make sense to do so when purchased as the final leg of an IC or Freccia trip.

Thank you everyone

Ok; Rome - C.T. - Florence - Venice it is.

The only pause I had about going to C.T. after Rome is that it would put us there (Montorosso) during the weekend, but since were going mid-June I guess it's all relative in terms of crowds. I didn't know there was a costal train route from Rome to C.T. and will take that advice.

OP--- when I saw your earlier post, I looked at the VCE-LAX flights--- the 1215 flt was, as I recall, 2-3 times the cost of flights that left at 10AM or earlier. I would not worry about being in CT on a weekend. I was there on a weekend and didn't have a sense of oppressive numbers of people Enjoy.!

Kathy--- Sorry, box was only half full so I used all of it

Add a vote for the first order.
Not only the best order transport wise, it will give you a break after the intensity of Rome.
Check here for number of ships in port for the days you're there.

http://m.cruisett.com/p/Italy/368-La_Spezia_cinque_Terre/June_2018/

Joe,

I had not noticed the 12:15 PM flight from Venice to LAX was more expensive. If it's a lot more I may have to consider leaving Venice the day before and spending a night near the airport. Don't really want to do that though.

If only my wife were more a fan of Rome.......