My adult daughter and I are going to Italy (my first time) for 12 days Nov 19 meeting up in Milan flying out of Rome Dec 2. We are trying to decide whether to go to Lake Como or Venice for a 2 days before spending 4 days in Cinque Terre, 4 days in Florence and 4 days in Rome. Any opinions between the two cities?

By two days, do you mean 3 nights? Lake Como is not a city per se. Venice, though, has no comparison. And only 2 days there would be disappointing - not enough time, imho. It's truly magical.

If you're coming from Milan, choose Como your time is really too short there, too,. But it's more logical given its proximity to Milan.

FYI: in order to get two days of sightseeing, you need to have three nights in a place. Two nights equals one full day, etc. So, in other words, if your two days is only one night, I'd add that night to another one of your destinations (Rome, probably) rather than spending the time schlepping to it.

I'm not up to date with the rains in the 5T but you might check it as the walks can be very very difficult in the mud. I assume the tour boats stop at the start of November. So that leaves the train. seat61.com will explain.

Venice is sinking, the sea is rising. Any choice other than Venice will be there in the future. Venice, maybe not. Go to Venice while it is still here. Unless, of course, your 2 days are during scheduled (high water floods.

I would include both Lake Como and Venice but drop the time in the Cinque Terre!

Thank you all for the feedback! To clarify: We will have a total of 12 nights in Italy. I arrive at 1:30pm in Milan on Nov 20 (16 hrs of flying from FL) My daughter thinks we should go directly to Venice that same day and spend 3 nights, then travel to Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome. After reading about the potential for muddy roads in CT, sadly I'm thinking we may be better off going directly to Florence from Venice and doing side trips to CT. I do need to visit with someone in Forte di Marni and Pienza and Montepulciano sound amazing too! I assume I would need to rent a car for those trips... maybe rent in Florence and drop it off in Rome? Also wondering if anyone can suggest AirBnbs in any of these areas or favorite hotels..
Thank you so very much for your help!

HappyTrvlr - Other than the incredible scenery, what would you suggest to do in the Lake Como region. Any favorite places?

In late November, I wouldn't plan on time on Lake Como, nor in the Cinque Terre. The weather is likely to be unsuitable for any outdoor activities, and there are almost no indoor activities in either place.

A day trio to the Cinque Terre from Florence is possible. It takes 2 1/2 hours by train, considerably longer by train or bus, to get to Riomaggiore, which is the closest Cinque Terre town to Florence. You wouldn't have much time there, and the days are very short in late November. However, if there is a nice day, with no rain forecast, you could decide on a day trip while you're there. The trains are regional trains, which don't have reserved seats, so you can buy tickets at the last minute. I definitely wouldn't reserve a hotel there, only to find yourselves stuck indoors in stormy weather.

The same goes for any of the towns on Lake Como. Lake Como is an easy day trip from Milan, even quicker than the Cinque Terre from Florence. so you could add two nights to Milan and make a day trip to Varenna, weather permitting. I don't think the lake boats are running at that time of year, though

Another easy day trip is a visit to Lake Bracciano from Rome. There is a beautiful castle there in the town of Bracciano, so even if the weather isn't perfect, it wouldn't be a lost day. The castle is often reserved for weddings and conferences, so I would check the availability.

I have to agree that November is not a good time to visit Lake Como.

As previously stated, November is not a good time to visit Lake Como or the CinqueTerre. You have listed sights which will require travel time between each and you will lose at least 1/2 day per new location. Your 12 nights will barely equal 11 days so you need to establish priorities. An unfamiliar car renter can use a lot of time and energy tracking down directions and finding lodging.
Consider going by train immediately to Venice, train to Florence then possibly a car rental to southern Tuscany and dropping the car off in Rome. This would allow a 3-3-2-3 night sequence. A day trip in November to the CT sounds impractical--little time and uncertain weather with no chance to hike or explore. "Less is more!"
Cheers

+1

What have you booked already? Okay it's off season but Venice,Florence and Rome will still be busy. If you haven't booked anything yet you're looking at whatever is left.

We are going to stay the first night in Milan, go to venice for 2, Florence for 5 and Rome for 4. Maybe a Daytrip to CT from Florence if the weather cooperates. wine tours from Florence and a cooking tour there or in Rome.

Sounds like a good plan. Have a wonderful time!

Great adjustment to a good plan. Glad to see you have included Venice--one of a kind city.
Cheers