CaWino

I think Lake Como / Bellagio are great and suggest that you fly into Milan and take train for hire a driver to take you to Bellagio. We were in Milan/Bellagio last year and it is lovely and I see no reason to substitute, especially since it is a desired location. I suggest three days there in Bellagio, then go to Venice for another three days. I would either spend the balance in Rome or add a day or so to Bellagio/Venice. Milan is so close and you are there anyway, so spending two days there is an option, too.

The Duomo and Da Vinci’s Last Supper are the highlights of Milan. Fly home out of Rome. There are many beautiful sights in Italy and all are wonderful. Don’t try and shoehorn too much into your limited time. Travel Slow and enjoy yourself.

miasmadude

Think of it this way. Start in Vancouver, go to Seattle, then Portland, then SF, then LA, then San Diego,in ten days. Possible? Yes, just. Fun? Nope. I like Italian trains, but I wouldn't want to train from Venice to Florence to Rome to Naples in ten days.

If you like cities, stay ten days in Rome or Florence. If you like the countryside, rent an apartment in Tuscany or Umbria, rent a car, visit hill towns.

Look at www.slowtrav.com for lots of suggestions for this type of in-depth travel in Italy.