Trains...I know it's been asked before:)

FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA - VENEZIA SANTA LUCIA
VENEZIA SANTA LUCIA - VARENNA/ESINO (change at Milano Centrale)
VARENNA/ESINO - MONTEROSSO (change at Milano Centrale)
MONTEROSSO- FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA (change at La Spezia and/or Pisa)

All info in
www.trenitalia.com

Be aware that pre purchased discounted tickets have restrictions. No refunds or time/date changes once a specific train is booked.

If you don't like these restrictions pay full price on the spot. Seats never sell out.

Use http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en. It'll only take half an hour if you know the dates and approximate times you want to travel. The easiest routes are the ones shown on the on-line schedule and there is really only one logical route for each journey. Use the Italian city names. Firenze, Venezia, (I'm guessing but Varenna-Esino for Lake Como), and the name of the specific village you want in the Cinque Terre.

Thank you...does anyone have suggestions for the "class" we should choose?

The class I travel is generally the Standard class on a Frecciarossa train. That is called 2nd class on other types of trains.
Check the info here.
https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#What%20are%20Italian%20trains%20like

linda,

Could you clarify two points.....

• Lake Como - which town on the lake are you planning to stay in? It's a big lake so there are lots of choices. The big favourite with many here is Varenna, which is in the mid-lake area.
• Cinque Terre - which of the five towns are you planning to stay in? It's important to know that when buy rail tickets, as the "Cinque Terre" is not a rail destination.

Thank you Ken...Varenna is the town we are staying in at Lake Como, Monterosso at the Cinque Terra.