Como

Sorry Folks
We are catching the ferry the next day which I did not mention but probably you assumed.

Hi Shelly, where will you be staying in Varenna?

Shelley, I noticed that the listings for Como are a bit "sparse" in the Guidebook, as they only list a Hostel for lodgings there. The best resource to find a room will likely by Trip Advisor. In the same situation, I'd be tempted to "press on" to Varenna and spend three nights there. What time are you planning to leave Heidelberg? If you departed at 06:57, you'd be in Como at 14:15. Take a Taxi from Como S. Giovanni to the docks and buy a boat ticket. There doesn't appear to be any service from the fast boats at that time, so the regular Ferry would be the only option. You should be able to connect with a 15:30 departure, with arrival in Varenna at 17:47. Of course these times are according to the spring schedule, so runs in October may not be as frequent. Of course, if you'd like to spend a night in Como to look around, you should be able to find good room rates at that time of year. The Silk Museum is one of the attractions (Como is famous for it's silk industry). Happy travels!

Rick doesn't list como lodging as he expects everyone will want to stay in Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, etc., instead of the larger town of Como with its big hotels. But after 7 hours on a train I'd pprobably want to stop for the night too. There are some good options on Tripadvisor. Take a look at Marco's Hotel, right on the water with nice views, and the nearby restaurant La Vita e Bella. Nice small hotel. Note that the train station close by is on the Como Nord line, but you will be coming in to Como San Giovanni, unless you make an effort to take the Le Nord train from Milano. From Como San Giovanni you could easily take a taxi to the hotel. Looks like it might be close to th eferry dock too.

Thanks Folks Ken- Already checked out the Ferries and you are correct. I just have the spring one and making that connection would be tight,that is why I tentatively have booked in Lugano for the night and taking an early bus to Menaggio for the ferry to Varenna. With the train only 1/2 hr from Lugano to San Giovanni I thought of staying there as an alternative. I will try Trip Advisor. Sue- Staying at Hotel Olivedo's B&B in Varenna
Lola- will check out the Hotel and Restaurant in Como Thanks to all - Best Regards

My wife and just spent 3 nights at Hotel Olivedo in Varenna, arriving late in the evening by train from Milan. Our 2nd trip to Lake Como and I'd skip Como and ferry on up to Varenna. H Olivedo was fine and we had a very good local cuisine dinner with wine there. Hotelier Laura was most helpful. The adjacent ferry dock was very convenient and we heard no noise in our room. Our best meal on the lake was at Ristorante La Vista at Albergo Milano in Varenna, a 10 minute uphill walk uphill from H Olivedo; reservations needed.
Cheers, Tom