Getting from Milan to Lake Como, Bellagio and Lugano, and returning to Venice (Mestre)

Lake Como area is just about 45 minutes north of Milan, and most would usually go by train. Lugano is just over the hill and across the lake from Lake Como.

To get to Venice, you'd catch the train back to Milan, and change trains for the trip east to Verona and Venice.

Take the first train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino. Take ferry from Varenna to Bellagio. Explore Bellagio. Take ferry to Menaggio. Take bus to Lugano. Explore Lugano. Take train to Milano Centrale. Take train to Venice Mestre. That will be a very full day.

That's a bit too much to do in a day. You might be able to do it but all planets in the solar system and the ferry and the bus schedules must align.

I think you really need to split into 2 days ...
1 Milan - Como - Bellagio - Menagio - Lugano
2 Lugano - Milan - Venice

I agree with the others... Too much for one day.

• Milano Centrale to Varenna will take about 65 minutes.
• One you arrive to Varenna, you will walk to ferry dock--10-2 minutes.

• You will wait for next ferry to travel to Bellagio.

• You can check the ferry schedule
  here:http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/c_illago.html

• After visiting Bellagio, you will wait for next ferry to take you to
  Menaggio.

• Once you arrive in Menaggio, you will have to get to the bus station.

• You may have to wait for the next bus to Lugano -- you will need bus
  C12 (Menaggio - Porlezza - Lugano)

• Once you get to Lugano, you may need to walk or take a taxi to
  desired destination, then do everything in reverse.

• Here is the bus schedule (winter schedules effective Sept 12, 2014
  -June 8, 2015):http://www.asfautolinee.it/Portals/5/Documents/Orari/I1213/lago/LAGO-invernale.pdf

• The new schedule should be available at the beginning of June.

• Check this website:
  http://www.asfautolinee.it/en/Home/tabid/266/language/en-US

  Click on 'Extraurban timetables'
  then click on 'Orario Completo LAGO' (very top of list) to download pdf.

• You can check current schedules for Bus Line C12- (pages 28-33) to
  get an idea of how frequently buses run.

Have a wonderful trip!

I forgot to mention that the train from Milano Centrale to Venezia Mestre will take around 2.5 hours.

You can check train schedules here:http://www.trenitalia.com

Thank you all for your advise.