If you don't want to change planes somewhere else in Europe (assuming you are from the US?), then Milan is about the only place close to CT with non-stop to US and Pisa has some seasonal PSA/JFK flights on Delta.

I am not opposed to changing planes. All I will have is a carry-on. Sorry for not clarifying - yes I am from the US.

I think Pisa has a good setting. It is stuck between the motorway and the city but so close you could walk in or indeed take a bicycle in while a short ride to the south takes you into the tuscan hills.

Pisa would be my choice.

not too big, easy hire car pick up, its own railway station, and you can change onto the main Genoa to Rome line [and various others] one stop away at Pisa Centrale.

Here are the choices I can think of:

PSA closest and convenient
FLR last nights in Florence is not bad
LIN only during non fog seasons. Practically inside the city
MXP best international flight choices. A natural choice if you want to visit Lake Como or Maggiore
GOA non touristy, but may not be "beautiful"

>>>I am not opposed to changing planes<<<

The problem isn't just changing planes. Since many of the lesser airports require a change in Europe to a big airport, it means the flight will depart very early. Many flights departing PSA/FLR will depart 6-7 (even as early as 5-5:30)am which means you have to be at the airport a couple of hours earlier. Flights from Milan to the US with changing in the US will depart between 10-11 am. It really depends on where in the US. Some of the smaller airports will be difficult for connections if you are in the western part of the US.

I had to sit down and have a glass of water after reading "airports in Italy" and "efficiency" in the same sentence.

IMHO I would do almost anyting rther than change planes - including paying a lot more for a ticket. IMHO all of the extra time and hassle of changin in a maor eurpean airport is way too much trouble at the end of a vaction.

Fly out of Milan.

>>>I had to sit down and have a glass of water<<<

Water?