3 days in Italy
 

I will be disembarking a cruise in Civitavecchia and flying out of Milan 3 days later. Any suggestions for an itinerary by train? I have been to Florence 3 times so that is not at the top of my list.
I am thinking about Como.If I stay in Como, is there decent transportation from there to the Malpensa airport to catch a morning flight?
I welcome your suggestions.
Thanks!

What about Bologna? I haven't been there yet but it's been moving up on my Italy list:)

You can make a morning Malpensa flight from Lake Como. On our last trip to Europe, we slept in Varenna and took off from Malpensa at 11:00am.

I don't think that you want to try to make an early am flight. The usual way to get from downtown Milan to Malpensa is on the shuttle bus. So if you are sleeping in Varenna or the town of Como, then you are talking about train to Milan Central. Then, shuttle bus to the airport. You want to arrive with the target two hours before your flight. It takes a while. Beware about staying in towns other than Varenna, Bellano, or Como. If you stay in other towns then you add taking a boat to chain.

I have heard that you can hire a car direct to Malpensa for appx 130 euro.

I loved Verona and it was close to Milano by train. I went there last Feburary and enjoyed walking around the charming town, seeing the amphitheater, Romeo & Juliet's house, etc.

I second Verona.