Visiting the Lakes region of Italy in one week

Have you considered re- arranging your schedule and staying in Varenna , Lake Como at the end of the Italy itinerary, then going to Tirano, Italy, riding the regional trains of the fantastic Bernini Express route into Switzerland? It's a memorable experience. Perhaps break up the journey with a night in Chur or Pontressina , then onto to the BO? Have a great trip!

We move fast and this is too much for us. Is your heart set on time in Milan? If it were me, I'd train to Como after arrival to Milan. You could get a little nap on the train and perhaps sight see when you arrive Como. When I look at your plans, my opinion is you don't have enough time in CT and Como.

Pat, one thing is picking up the rental car. So perhaps train it from Milan to Como and pick up a car there?

Would you spend more time around Como as opposed to Milan?

Jules M,

That is what I am gathering from Pat, another commenter. More time in Como as opposed to Milan. So we have a consensus of two. Thank you. Ken

You don't need a car in Lake Como nor anywhere in Switzerland, IMHO. Hopefully you can have three nights in Lake Como. We just returned from Varenna , and didn't want to leave. Stayed at the beautiful Hotel du Lac with a balcony/lake view. Then took the ferries to Bellagio and the villas ( recommend seeing Villa Balbianello.)
Safe travels !

Pat, I think we have decided to split up our trip. Maybe do two separate ones now, 10-12 days in Switzerland and the same in northern Italy. Only at different times of the year now.

So you don't need a car in Como to drive around the lakes region? Are you normally averse to driving about the Italian countryside or do you just think trains do just as good a job? I feel like I would want to catch some of the little villages in the countryside and take our time rather than being glued to a train schedule. I recognize people have two schools of thought on driving vs the trains and it is just a personal preference. But I do enjoy being behind the wheel. And I do know all the sights we want to see outside Como are reachable by train (Milan, CT and Turin), but I would have thought for sure you would need a car to see the lakes region.

Pat, we were not planning on using a car in Switzerland, only the trains.

On Lake Como we take the ferries. However, I'm sure there will be other input .
Regarding time of year, I would suggest keeping Switzerland in the early fall, because the snowmelt doesn't clear from the trails until late May, and many of the lifts don't open until then.
Italy would be good for a spring trip.
Safe travels!

We drive a lot in Europe. But, we choose to not drive in Northern Italy for Como or CT because the trains and also the ferries for Como, do such a great job.

Pat and Jules, excellent input.

I believe we shall heed your advice on all counts.