We did 10 days in Italy Sept to Oct 2018, expecting smaller crowds. Rome and Venice were jammed packed.
We only did 1 night in Rome staying in an AirBnB within walking distance of the Forum @ $85CDN per night. We should have stayed longer and will return for at least 3 days. We lined up first thing in AM to tour the forum $80 Euros each) and at 1130 we were still in line when they announced that it was closed due to being maxed out. It is the 2nd most visited tourist attraction in the world. Great Wall is #1. We had a train to catch to La Spezia and were fortunate enough to find the guide who sold us the tickets and got a refund. If you are in the Forum area at sunset make sure you go to the rooftop bar at the Hotel Forum.
In Riomaggiore we stayed in an AirbBNB for $75 CDN, it was the only disappointment of the trip. Huge 2 bedroom apartment but the bathroom had no traps so smelled like sewar gas. I blocked all drains with baggies filled with water to no avail. But there are tons of AirBNB's so consider them as option. Day 1 we hiked from Monterosso and that just about killed me...it is a difficult trail. The other easier trails were closed for repairs. Day 2 we went back to Monterosso and spent the day on the beach. Day 3 we caught early trains to La Spezia and then Pisa for breakfast and then on to Florence. Pisa tower was about a 30 minute walk from train station. Plan on buying your leathers in Florence. We then headed by train to Venice where we had the best AirBNB ever...view of the canal right by the Venice Hospital. Contact directly, avoid AirBNB fees, Lotus Apartments Venice – Ca’ Laguna, e-mail lotusapartmentsvenice@outlook.it Venice was a lot cooler then Cinque Terre and the other places. Shorts yes but needed a shell / sweater.