Extra week after 'Heart of Italy' tour, how to split time?

This is going to sound pedantic but....when you say "2 days" you are actually only spending 2 nights (27 and 28) so really have only one day and a piece of a day. I would do a 3-night minimum in Venice for 2 full days. It takes time to figure out the system with vaporettos in my view! Rick's tours often just spend 2 nights there but you've got a guide who gets you to/from your hotel and orients you to the area so is more efficient.

There is a lot to see in the Lake Como area but this will just be a taster for you. I'd want to spend the night before your departure in MIlan.

Lake Como is fine. Venice is fantastic -- like no other place we've ever been. Consider spending the week in Venice and doing day trips from there to Verona, Vecinza, Padau, etc.

You have chosen two of our favorite places in Europe!
3 N minimum for Venice. We have spent up to two weeks there on various trips.
Lake Como is where we have traveled the most of any place in Europe. Spend the remainder of your time on Lake Como. Where are you going to stay there? We always stay in the upper part of Bellagio, away from the tourist crowds by the waterfront. Jump on a ferry to explore the whole lake. Every place you may visit always needs more time. Since you are limited to a week for two of Italy’s top locations, split them 3 and 4 days. We have two weeks at a time. You will return!

3 nights in Venice sounds like a better plan than 2. Lake Como is a stunner too, highly recommend staying in Varenna at the Villa Cipressi. If it’s booked then I hope you visit the gardens. Whatever time you spend in each place will make you want to return, I promise!

That’s great that you have additional time for your Italian vacation! There aren’t any wrong answers here. Both locations are very nice. Plan to be in Milan or Stresa the night before your flight or even at Malpensa if you have an early flight.

Venice is our favorite city, so we love to spend time there! Three nights would be the minimum I would want. Usually if someone dislikes Venice, they were only there a short time. Literally roam and purposely get lost there; it’s magical!

Personally, I wouldn’t want to be at Lake Como for a week. I only mention this because this is your vacation. Look at the activities and/or leisure at both locations and see what works best for you to allocate your days.

Night of 27th- Florence easily enough in Florence to add a day

Nights of 28,29,30-Venice

Nights of 31, 1, 2- Lake Como ( Varenna)

Night of the 3rd- Milan/Malpensa ( in town or near the airport dictated by flight time)

How I would allocate the time from the end of the tour ( on the 27th) to a flight out on the 4th.

My $0.02

I wouldn't want to spend a whole week in Lake Como. I would do at least 3 nights in Venice, but I like the idea of doing the whole time in Venice and day trips out to Padua and Ravenna etc ...then last night or 2 Milan before flying out. It's your vacation though, so you do you.

Thank you everyone for their suggestions! Sounds like we should spend more time in Venice than we thought. And spending the night before in Milan is a good call. Appreciate the hotel suggestions as well. Safe travels, all!

Agree with others - more time in Venice. Love Lake Como - stayed at Hotel Du Lac in Varenna twice - loved it. Villa Capprici seems wonderful as well.
But one thing we did (with car) - spent two days, one night doing the Prosecco Road - somewhat near Venice, but the countryside is incredible and did prosecco tours that we arranged prior to getting there. VERY special!