Lake Como
 

We are planning 4 nights in Rome, then getting on cruise for 7 nights. we have never been to Lake Como. Is it too much to try a day trip there? How easy it to get to Lake Como by train (or plane) from Rome?

Yes. It it too far for a day trip from Rome.

One option would be to take the train from Rome to Milan and then change to Varenna. But Trenitalia says that takes 4.5 hours (minimum) one way.

Might be a long day!

I was expecting this to be a trip report. :(

A day trip to lake Como from Rome is UNTHINKABLE !!
It's feasible from Milan, but you'll have to focus on a particular town( there are indeed many towns (Como, Lecco,...)and villages on lake Como

Lots of Lake Como info on here...http://lakecomoapartment.com/places2visit.shtml and here http://lakecomoapartment.wordpress.com/

Sure, fly to Milan and hire a private driver to Bellagio. Should not take more than 6 hours each way and cost about $500

According to http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en and http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/file/..._Traghetto.pdf , this is the limit of what you can do in one day by trains and boats, for exmaple on 5/1, destination Bellagio.

Roma-Milano Centrale 6-8:59
Milano- Varenna 10:20-11:23
Varenna- Bellagio car ferry 12:10-12:25

Bellagio- Varenna car ferry 17:30-17:45
Varenna- Milano 18:37-19:40
Milano - Roma 20:00-23:30.

There you have it: 5 hrs in Bellagio, with little margin of foul ups.

Geez, O.K. Guess I'm not dong that. So any suggestions. I've seen Pompei, Naples, etc. would like to do something interesting outside rome...

Tivoli
Hadrian's Villa
Castelli Romani
Lake Bracciano
Ostia Antica
Orvieto
Florence
Assisi
Perugia

kbronow,
Would this be your first trip to Rome? If it is, then stay in Rome for the entire 4 days. There will be plenty to enjoy.
Tivoli is a nice little day trip, as is Ostia Antica.....perhaps just a half a day. But do not attempt to travel by tour bus on a Friday. Traffic in and out of the city starting at 3 will be very frustrating for you.
The other destinations suggested by "elenem" such as Florence, Assisi, Perugia, etc. are beautiful and worth the time, but you may want to take the train to these cities for much quicker traveling time.