Where is the best location between Rome and Lake Como for an overnight?

Arriving to Rome on October 3rd at 8:30AM and wish to move immediately toward Lake Como via train, with an overnight perhaps in Tuscany before getting to Lake Como. Will then circle back from Lake Como to Venice to Florence/Loweer Tuscany and then finish in Rome October 27th.

Any suggestions on the best way to accomplish this objective.

thanks.

The obvious suggestion is Florence, - but Bologna would be nearer halfway ...

Steve

I agree that since you seem to want to concentrate on Tuscany both on the way up and on the way back by ending in Florence, then Florence might be the place to stop for a night. However, you might also consider Milan since you'll have to rail to and change there before arriving at Lake Como. All depends on whether or not you want a different perspective on Italy than the usual Tuscany thing which it sounds as if you'll get plenty of.

As you will see Florence in the latter part of your journey, I would choose between Bologna and Milan.
If you take a train around 10 AM from Termini station, you could be in Bologna 2.40 hours later with an ES train, 3.40 hours later with an IC train, which means you would be there around 1 or 2 PM. Milan takes 4.30 hours (ES train) or 5.30 hours (IC train).
Both cities are worth a visit. Maybe it's better to take Bologna, because you'll cross through Milan later on your journey.

Check out www.ferrovie.it for train schedules.

Bologna...It has the best food! When we were there in Sept. 2001 it was very untouristy. It was nice to stroll the streets and relax.

As a follow-on I would suspect most Italian locations would be less tourist-filled in October as was Bologna in September.

In case you decide for Milano, use part of your time to move from Centrale to Cadorna station and arrive in Como by Ferrovie Nord Milano istead of Trenitalia. The trains are older, but the FNM station in Como is a lovely iron art nouveau thing right on the lake front. Very scenic. The two stations are connected by subway green line, they're just 5-6 stops apart.