We're going to Venice around May 2nd for several days to meet a group of friends for a birthday celebration. I'm trying to figure out where to go for a few days before and a few days after Venice. I've been to Italy a number of times but never to the Cinque Terre or Lake Como areas so I'd possibly like to include one or both of those places in the plans. At this point we're open as to where to fly in and out of and would be willing to drive or take a train to our destinations.
Any logistical advise would be welcome. Thanks

If you want scenery and don't mind crowds of tourists, the logical choices are Lago di Como and Cinque Terre. If you want scenery without the crowds, you might think about the Dolomiti (you'd need a car) and Monte Portofino (Camogli, Santa Margherta Ligure) on the sea, north of le Cinque Terre.

For art, I would head straight for Ravenna. For food, I would include Bologna.

If you want to include both Lago di Como and le Cinque Terre and are coming from the US, several airlines fly to Genova from London, Paris and Munich, so you might look at using the airport in Genova (GOA) to get you closer to the Med.

Otherwise, flying into Milano makes sense, although it will mean some backtracking at some point. I would advise against a car unless you go to the Dolomiti.

Sorry -- I think my post wasn't quite clear. I wouldn't try to include Ravenna and Bologna on a trip that had both the lakes and the sea in it. I would combine those art/food towns with only one of the scenic destinations.

Thanks for the advise. Some of our friends are going to the Dolomite after Venice and then on to Austria but I've been to the places they're going in Austria so would prefer something I haven't seen.
Bologna sounds like a very good possibility. We love art, scenery and food so all the places hold an interest for us.

What you might find exquisite is to spend one extra in Venezia to see Torcello if you haven't, and then get yourself to Ravenna, perhaps basing in Bologna or Ferrara, depending on your tolerance for car traffic.

I suggest that you consider apportioning your free time either before OR after your Venice stay instead of the two shorter segments.

That way, you'll have more flexibility with your planning...