Where to after Bernina Express?

Catherine, My suggestion would be Varenna on Lago di Como. It's an easy train ride from Tirano, and three days there would be about perfect. At the end of your visit, it's only an hour to Milan, where you can connect with either the Trenitalia or Italo fast trains to Rome. One important point to note - Italo uses different stations than Trenitalia in both Milan and Rome. Trenitalia would probably be the easiest option. Happy travels!

Thanks Vernon, Have already had 5 nights in Bellagio at Lake Como last trip - would consider one of the other lakes but probably not go back to Como.

I would suggest Maggiore since you have done Lake Como. It is my favorite lake. I have based in Stresa, Baveno and Cannobio. Let me know if you need any recommendations or help with that area.

Catherine, Thanks for the additional information, as that helps to clarify the situation. If Lago di Como isn't a choice, here's a couple of others..... (1.) Stresa - as someone else mentioned, that's also a beautiful spot on Lago Maggiore. While there you could tour the incredible Borromeo Islands (especially Isola Bella, which has a grand mansion and ornate gardens, complete with Peacocks). You could take the lift up Mt. Mottarone and visit the alpine gardens and then continue to the top for magnificent views (if it's not hazy). If you wanted to take a day trip, travel to Domodossola and then take the scenic Cento Valli railway to Locarno and return to Stresa in the early evening by boat. It's a long day but very enjoyable. While in Locarno you could have a look at the incredible Madonna del Sasso Franciscan Monastery, take the lift to Cardada and enjoy a fine hot meal and awesome views of the city at the restaurant that's next to the lift terminal. You could also visit the Casino or just have a look at the beautiful city of Locarno. Stresa is also only an hour by train from Milano, so making your connection will be easy. (2.) Lugano - Another beautiful Swiss city on a lake! While there you could also visit the Casino or take a cruise on the lake and possibly stop at one of the restaurants in Gandria. If you take a cruise, watch for the dreadfully garish Casino in Campione, which (to me) looks "out of place". You could also take the Funicular up Mt. San Salvatore (there's a restaurant at the top and climbing to the roof of the small Church above that provides great views). Lugano is also only an hour from Milan, so again it will be an easy connection. Cheers!

Arghhhhh! Thanks Kaaren, you have opened up a can of worms though. I have spent the morning googling all three of those towns and they all look magnificent. If we stayed at Stresa, are the other two easily accessible by train/ferry if we wanted to visit? A decider might be which is easier to reach by rail as we will be coming from Tirano. Is that how you got there?
thanks

Thanks Ken, Stresa does sound wonderful and I like your first suggestion. We don't want to backtrack too much into Switzerland as we will already have had a week there - we are doing a big loop flying into Barcelona, up to the Rhine, down through Switzerland to Italy and then flying out of Rome after a week on the Amalfi coast. I can hardly believe it - the world is such a wonderful place - so much to see, too little time and too few $$$... Still, I am very lucky to be doing what I am.