how to spend perfect day in Varenna

Boat ride to Bellagio to walk the streets, a nice garden walk through the palace where the Star Wars wedding was held……it was a lovely day!

That sounds nice, thanks. Bellagio doesn't look that far...

We (2 parents, 3 boys in their twenties) did a tour of Villa del Balbianello (the Star Wars wedding location). We were picked up in Varenna and taken across the lake to the villa. Along the way, the driver stopped here and there to point out sights of interest. This was informative, but the boat was crowded and we were all seated along both sides, so it was difficult to turn around or stand up to see anything. Plus, he just yelled over the noise from the boat engine, which was annoying. We did a guided tour of the inside of the villa. In my opinion, it was a little long, but definitely interesting to learn the history of the house, the artifacts inside, and the secret escape route the owner had put in!! We walked the grounds on our own; it is a very pretty property. And if your kids are Star Wars fans, they will recognize the site of the wedding!
We also took the ferry to Bellagio, late in the afternoon so that we could have time to walk the streets (that in itself may qualify as a "hike", with its staircase streets), poke around in some shops and then have dinner.
The highlight for us was renting a boat. We spent a couple of hours on the lake, and my son was able to locate properties on his phone and gave us a description of everything we saw. Much more enjoyable than the guided tour we had the previous day. I'm not sure if you can dock a private boat at the villa, but that might be a better way to see it.
If you only have one day, I think you could fit all of this in, and maybe even a more ambitious hike. We were content to just walk the passerella along the water in Varenna.

You could buy the mid-lake boat ticket and spend the day hopping from town to town. I'd skip the hike if you only have one day. October is definitely shoulder season so I'd check the boat schedules.

Ferry to Lenno, then a short hike to Villa Balbianello. Hike back to Lenno and catch the ferry back to Varenna. Make certain you pick up the most current ferry schedule. Right now they are only showing schedules through Oct. 2nd. Then a short hike up to Castello di Vezio. If you eat at the cafe, they provide free entrance to tour the castle. Or catch the train up to Bellano and hike through Orrido di Bellano. Finish the day with a short taxi ride to dine at Il Caminetto. If you choose the visit Bellano you should be able to ferry there directly from Lenno, then a couple minute train ride back to Varenna.

Also, while many folks cite Balbianello as a Star Wars site, it also was where James Bond convalesced in Casino Royale. The closing scene was filmed just a few miles up the coast outside a villa there.

Villa Balbianello is in a beautiful setting on the lake. Ferry to Lenno and walk out to it on the peninsula a short distance to find it.
Bellagio is a short ferry ride from Varenna.
After four trips there, we continue returning to Bellagio. Climb the stairs to the top of the town, away from the tourists. Visit the church

I'd hike to Castello di Vezio. The view is breathtaking. This overlook was a stop on the Amazing Race several seasons ago.

We also rode the ferry and got off and explored each location. Villa del Balbianello was closed the day we were there, but we did tour Villa Carlotta.

Currently, Villa Balbianello is closed on Wednesdays. We chose to visit Villa Carlotta instead and loved it. The gardens are located on a hillside, so there is plenty of exercise there. Since you sound like an energetic bunch, you could get up early in Varenna and hike up to Castello di Vezio, come back down and get a ferry across the lake to Bellagio and/or Lenno. I would encourage you to get really good directions as several people in our group got lost trying to get to Castello di Vezio. Also, knowing ferry times so you don’t waste time by missing one and also getting the correct dock for loading.

If you chose Il Caminetto for dinner, they will pick you up in Varenna and return you. You would need to make reservations ahead as they limit the number of diners per evening. I just used WhatsApp to make my reservation and they were very prompt in their response.

We followed Rick Steves' Castello di Vezio hike and came down on the Fiumelatte trail. We had no trouble finding our way and it's a great memory.

Excellent suggestions from all! Many thanks.
We will be there on a Friday. We can't wait.

report back when you return please. Would love to hear about your trip. Bellagio is my happy place.

Good information. I think it will be useful to me

When in Bellagio, hike to the top of the town, visit Church of San Giacomo, c. XI Century.
You can hike above Bellagio also.

Ok! Grazie