Venice, Como, Cinque Terre, Rom

You will probably get many different opinions about the length of time to devote to each place. It is strictly a matter of what is most important to you. Personally I like the 4, 2, 2, 4 option, but that's just me. In any event, keep life simple. Stick to the trains and forget the car rental. You can go to all of your destinations via a very good train system.

Although a car can allow you to drive "door to door" in some areas of Europe, that won't really apply to this trip. Rick's book describes parking options in Varenna on Lake Como and in Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, neither of which is impossible, but also do not gain you much. If you arrive by train, and if you need it, there may be assistance that a hotel can offer, as well as taxis. I also would stick with the 4-2-2-4 allotment of nights.

Another vote for the 4-2-2-4 plan, and trains instead of a car. Parking is a real pain in the CT, and there very often isn't any available at the hotels so you'd end up some distance away anyway. The trains will be an easier option.

If you have mobility issues, be cautious about your choice of hotel in the CT? You'll want one that's an easy walk and not something that involves lots of steps and a steep uphill climb. Monterosso has a good number of accommodations a fairly level walk from the train, and I'd advise staying in the 'new' section of town as it's closest to the station.

Thanks so much! I appreciate the responses. I was leaning toward 4-2-2-4 myself, so it's good to know I'm on the right track.

Personally, I would skip Le Cinque Terre. We were there in 1994 and they were sleepy little towns and we were the only Americans on the street. We spent a day in the area in 2013 and the streets were absolutely jammed with both American and Italian tourists. The little shops that were unique to the region now sell souvenir schlock. This is just my opinion.

Adding a day or two to Roma or Como or anywhere else would, IMHO, be time better spent. Just sayin'...

At any rate...go and have fun.

Buon viaggio,

Perhaps only 3 nights in Venice, giving you a single night to break your journey somewhere - Verona, Milan, Florence.

Great suggestions - thanks so much for you help!