looking for ideas and suggestions for a self drive in 2019, likely Sept / Oct.... early planning, but thinking of flying to Vencie, spend 2-3 days (been 2X before), then driving to the Lake Garda area, spend a day or two, then to Lake Como Como area, stay a day or 2, then to Switzerland (Lucerne ? Geneva ?), then back to Venice via Milan..... budget 2 weeks +/-.... no more than 2-3 hours driving a day, leisurely pace.... thanks

I can't comment on the Italian part of this trip, but for Switzerland, it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. Have you consulted a good guidebook or two? That might help you narrow down your many options.

I adore Switzerland, and readily admit that you couldn't pay me to drive there -- not when public transportation is so easy and convenient and when part of the trip, from my perspective, would be to see and enjoy the scenery, which a driver can't really do. YMMV.

Have you already booked your flights? If not, consider flying open jaw (into one city, out of another) so you don't have to waste time and money backtracking.