Does this revised itinerary seem reasonable? We are flying in to Rome and out of Milan (not changeable), we want to acclimate for a day in Rome (but have both been there before), and we are not into spending all day in an art museum.

Day 1 - Arrive in Rome
Day 2 - Rome
Day 3 - Venice (arrive 1:15 via train)
Day 4 - Venice
Day 5 - Venice
Day 6 - Bellagio
Day 7 - Bellagio
Day 8 - Move to Como
Day 9 - 6:20 am train from Como to Milan airport for 10:20 am flight

Better, but do not rely on trains to get to MXP--go the evening prior and stay at an airport hotel--there are several. We use Hotel First Malpensa--they have a shuttle to pick and drop the next AM. Hotel Cervo is another that is less. Do not miss your flight--security is tight.

The 6:20 train would get us there at 7:37. Plenty of time assuming it is running on time. Are the trains unreliable? We are hoping to avoid a transfer to an airport hotel, otherwise we have to wander around with our luggage for a day.

I think you will be fine. I would inquire in the Como hotel if there are other guests that might be headed to the airport. So you might be able to share a taxi..

Another possibility -- rather than relocating to either Como or on top of Malpensa -- is to relocate to this hotel recommended by a frequent poster here. It is a short taxi ride from Malpensa but on another lake.

http://www.lacinzianella.it/

The 6:20 train would get you where by 7:37?

7:37 arrival at Malpensa...

I see a 6:40 train from Como NB that connects through Saronno at 7:07 and arrives at Malpensa at 7:37.

Earlier Como 5:57 Saronno 6;26 Malpensa 7:07
Later 7:40 Saronno 8:07 Malpensa 8:37

This trip is made trickier by the fact that you must take two trains, one from Como and then connect a Saronno. You'll have about 10 minutes to connect if all goes as scheduled. On the earlier train, you'd have about 20 minutes to connect.

I'd get a driver. Don't mess with lugging luggage and changing trains - simplicity is better.

And in Italy, strikes happen, especially train strikes. You just can't count on a train to get you to the airport for a same day flight.

Are your tickets bought? No chance of flying into Venice? A single jetlagged day does no justice to Rome. You might as well skip it.

One day when Mom and I went from Varenna to Como we happened to luck out - the boat was larger than the usual ferries and had a large dining room with huge picture windows. The tables had cloth tablecloths and we had a waiter serve us, with a nice meal and glass of wine. We didn't specifically seek this out - it was lunchtime so maybe they had a different boat on that run. I don't recall that we had such a nice cruise on our other Como outing. That might be worth seeking out on the day you make your move...

I'd probably stay the last night at/near Malpensa or in Milan, but, if you want to train from Como to Malpensa (via Saronno), a few comments:

The Saronno to Malpensa portion is on the Malpensa Express train that goes back and forth between Malpensa and Milan's Cadorna Nord station. I've found it to be very reliable for the 10 years since its inception.

The Como to Saronno portion is very popular with local workers and students. I've only traveled on this route a few times but had no delays and found 10 minutes more than adequate for the connection. It's just a matter of changing tracks in a small station.

You could alleviate some concern and taxi from the hotel in Como to the train station in Saronno. About 30 minutes (perhaps quicker at the early hour), 32 kms. Saronno is at the halfway point, and a taxi from Como to Malpensa would likely pass within a kilometer or two of the Saronno station.

BTW, these trains are operated by a transportation company (FNM Group) and not the Italian government.

Link to timetables:
http://www.lenord.it/en/orari_e_news/content.php

It would be lovely to change our flights, but that's not an option. We found a $450 flight direct from EWR, and in this economy, we can't spend the money to make changes. Plus, my wife would like to spend a day in Rome. Again, we've both spent some time there before, so I see no problems with spending 1 1/2 days getting settled and relaxing in Rome.

It seems like the idea of going to the Milan airport from Como (whether by train or car) is doable. Hooray!