We will be in Milan for 5 days at the end of March - beginning of April. We have one free day. Would like to take the train to Lake Como if there is anything to see or do. Will there be anything open at the end of March, e.g. boat rides, shops, dining, gardens, sites, in any of the towns served by the trains from Milan?
If you go to Varenna-Esino, the mid-lake shuttle boats to Bellagio and Mennagio run year round. Buy tickets for the return at the same time and validate them before getting on the train each direction. Off the top of my head, it's about 6 EUR pp each way, and 1 hour ride. Trains pretty much once an hour.