Visited Varenna on a frosty day in February on a daytrip to Varenna, Lecco and Bergamo from Milan, and I am extremely glad I decided to include Varenna in that trip. It is quite possibly the cutest and most beautiful picturesque town that I've ever been to. Gorgeous views over the lake, pretty painted houses, and the Villa Monastero is breathtaking. It was very quiet and calm, and I would highly recommend low-season Varenna to holiday goers looking for peace and rest, but I reckon during the high season it will be a very busy, much wanted destination. For me, a couple of hours in town was enough to walk the most gorgeous boardwalk all accross town, snap lots of pictures and get back to the quaint station in time for my train, but I can definitely imagine people wanting to stay longer. Be warned though, it is a very small town and you will have to entertain yourself.