Lake como or Lake Guarda

When are you going to be there? Lake Garda (no 'u') is a more sporting lake, with lots of Germans in the summer. Lake Como is more romantic.

Both are nice. Lake garda (especially Sirmione, Limone, Riva) is just as pictoresque. Using Google images look at the pictures and decide. Since you are going to Venice, you are much closer to Lake Garda than Lake Como. If you fly into Milan then Lake Como becomes an option too. But if you fly into Venice, rathen than Milan, going to Lake Como is a major detour from your planned itinerary.

Donna, As you're starting in Rome and ending in Venice, I'd probably consider visiting Rome > Florence > Lake > Venice in that order. I assume your outbound flight will be from Venice? As Roberto mentioned, Lago di Garda is a better "fit" with your overall route, however Lago di Como wouldn't be too hard to work in. One of the most popular places on Lago di Como is the small town of Varenna, which is on the east shore, about mid-lake and just across from the posh resort of Bellagio. To get there, you'd first travel from Florence to Milan via Freccia (high speed) train and then Regionale to Varenna. It's a very easy trip. At the conclusion of your visit, you'd go back to Milan via Regionale and then travel to Venice via Freccia train. Regarding Lago di Garda, I vaguely recall that getting to Sirmione via public transport is a bit challenging, but I can't remember the details. As this is your first trip to Europe and Italy, there are a few potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of when riding trains in Italy. If you need further details, post another note and I'll provide my usual "boilerplate" on that topic. For planning touring, hotels and other details in the places you'll be visiting, the Italy Guidebook would be a really good resource to pack along. Happy travels!

Sirmione on Lake Garda is easily reached via bus from Verona that leaves from the train station. It's a lovely town with a castle, water everywhere as it is on a skinny peninsula. We were in a B&B right on the main square last year for four days.

Ken, as another first time traveler, I would like to see your boilerplate.

@Mark, I'm constrained by the text limit here, but here's a short version.... When using Regionale trains which don't require reservations, it's VERY IMPORTANT to validate (time & date stamp) the tickets prior to boarding the train. This includes the Leonardo Express which travels from the airport to Roma Termini. The validation (Convalida) machine will either be bright yellow or blue & gray, with a small digital display on the front. These are usually easy to find and located close to the tracks. If the machine is out of order, writing the time & date on the ticket may be acceptable (ask the Conductor as soon as possible). Those caught with unvalidated tickets may be fined on the spot! The fines start at €50 per person and if not paid on the spot, they DOUBLE and increase from there! The same fines apply to those travelling via Bus in Rome and other places (in that case, validation machines are often located on the Bus). Conductors are now carrying portable debit/credit card Terminals, so payment of fines WILL be easily accomplished one way or the other. Those travelling on the "premium" trains such as the Freccia (high speed) trains MUST have a valid reservation or again may be fined on the spot! These fines also start at €50 per person, in addition to the cost of the reservation, which is currently ~€10. Reservations on these trains are compulsory and are specific to a particular train and departure time. It's NOT POSSIBLE to simply buy a ticket with reservations and then board any train. The ticket or reservation will specify the train number (ie: ES 9718), so it's important to verify that before boarding. Buon Viaggio!