Getting from Padua to Varenna without a car

Hi Sharon. It can be done easily by train; see schedules at trenitalia.com (use Padova for the city name instead of Padua) You will change trains in Milan; but it's generally on the way; I wouldn't really call it backtracking. Enjoy your trip!

I think Frank is confusing Varenna with someplace else, maybe Vernazza. You would not go through Florence to get to Varenna from Padova. Milan is where you catch the train to Varenna. Florence is way out of the way to the south.

Sasha is right. I misread the city and will delete my post.