So we have 6 nights to get from MXP (Milan Airport) to Nice. I have no intention of ever setting foot in Milan. I've been before. It's fine, but not what I'm looking for this time around.

I'm thinking about renting a car at MXP, spending two nights at one of the lakes in the Italian Alps (probably Stresa, maybe Como), then driving to Monterosso for two nights. Then we would take the train to Genoa, stay two nights, then take the train to Nice.

We have elementary school kids. We picked Monterosso for the beach and slightly easier car/train access.

1. [Stresa] Arrive at MXP, drive to Stresa
2. [Stresa] Visit islands
3. [Monterosso] Drive to Monterosso, maybe stop somewhere on the way for lunch or sightseeing (Parma?)
4. [Monterosso] Hike to Varnezza and back
5. [Genoa] Train to Genoa
6. [Genoa]
7. [Nice] Train to Nice

Part of me wonders if I should just cut Genoa out and spend three nights each at the lakes and in Cinque Terre. We'll be jet lagged on arrival and I worry we won't enjoy the lakes in that condition. The other side of this is that maybe there just isn't that much to do in cinque terre and the lakes, and two nights is just right, no reason to spend an more time.

Thanks for your consideration.