I've done this many times. Will do it again this summer. This is our usual plan: Venice Mestre (or Santa Lucia) rail station to Desenzano station. From Desenzano you can take a taxi to Sirmione. There is probably a bus that does this from Desenzano station also. We actually stay at Desenzano at the Hotel Europa which is along the beautiful lakefront. Ask for a lake view room. It's a budget hotel, but very accommodating. The restaurant has good food. When we want to go to Sirmione, we hop on a boat. Verona is a beautiful city, one of Italy's best. But you can also stay at Desenzano and take an opera excursion to Verona for much less money. Pick-up point is right at Hotel Europa....http://www.viaggimolinari.it/arena-verona-tickets-service/ Actually, this year we will take a train from Mestre to Verona, see the opera and spend the night in Verona, then take a train to Desenzano for 2 nights and Salo 4 nights. Buon Viaggio!!
