Train from ?? to Venice

Stresa
https://www.milansperanza.it/en/

I would like to stop somewhere special (i.e., delicious, beautiful, or not-to-miss, LOL) for a couple of hours on the train ride from the Lake District to Venice. I assume most train stations will have lockers to leave our luggage.

You could stop in Milan for a few hours. Leave your luggage at the station, and head to the Duomo and surrounding streets!
In Italy, only major stations like Milan Centrale have lockers.

By the way, I would perhaps spend 2 nights in Stresa and 4 in Venice, because with just one night you might have to rush a bit to visit the Borromean islands on the lake. Unless you are able to commit and arrive early from Geneva.

I agree with 2 nights in Stresa

You’ll have to change trains in Milan from Stresa to Venice so a stop there makes sense
Another option could be Verona

https://www.boutiquehotelelvezia.it/

That’s my favorite hotel in Stresa which is on tiny Isola Bella. Be sure to get a room with a balcony view of the lake. I’ve also been in the corner room with the window towards Stresa & the balcony. I recommend their restaurant, also.

I travel by train, and I usually stay two nights in the city of Stresa and move to this lovely hotel for a final night of ambiance - lovely! The ferry tickets are purchased in the white building next to the dock landing. Don’t use one of the other “ferry kiosks”.

When you arrive at Stresa on the train, take a walk on the promenade, then take the quick ferry over to Isola Bella. You can leave off your luggage to store at the hotel. Then take a ferry over to Isola Pescatori. If you really like gardens, take it farther up to Villa Taranto. Afterwards, return to Isola Bella. You can go through the villa & formal gardens a few hours before they close. Another place to see if you’re not interested in Villa Taranto is going the opposite direction on the ferry to Santa Caterina del Sasso.

For obvious reasons there are no more lockers inside Italian stations, only manned deposits and only in the bigger ones:

Roma Termini

Milano Centrale

Napoli Centrale

Venezia Santa Lucia

Firenze Santa Maria Novella

Bologna Centrale

Venezia Mestre

Genova P. Principe

Genova Brignole

Torino P. Nuova

Verona Porta Nuova

Bari Centrale

Palermo Centrale

There are lockers and similar services in shops and hotels around the stations, never inside.

I totally agree with Balso and Christine- two nights (or more) would be lovely in Stresa. Unfortunately, there is little wiggle room between the graduation and the pre-paid reservations in Venice (a gift from my son). However I will totally aim for the earliest arrival and then depart for Venice late in the day to get the most out of our whistlestop in Stresa.

Jean- Lake Isola Hotel Elvezia looks amazing!! and not too $ Christine- I am going to check out Milan Speranza as well - great 2nd choice.
Dario- thank you for the list of Lockers in Italy- could be invaluable.

Again: There are no lockers inside italian railway stations, that's the list of the only&few stations with a manned deposit inside the building.

There are private services with lockers around many more stations than those I listed.

Dario, by "manned deposit" do you mean there is a counter where you arrange to leave your luggage for a few hours? I am planning to stop in Milan for a few hours on my way to Venice and had hoped to leave my backpack stored somewhere. Thanks!

Yes, If I recall correctly, there are luggage check "booths" or counters. They sort of remind me of a mini post office or where you get your bowling shoes lol.