4 days in lake region
 

next may, my wife and i are flying into milan from newark. we are then flying to naples for a week in the countryside and then 3 weeks in sicily. we have never been to the lake region and plan to spend 4 days. we would like to stay in one location and do day trips using public transit. we have a midmorning flight out of mxp so we don't want to be too far away. thinking of como. any suggestions? thank you in advance for your advise.

Como would be great for four days, lots of places to visit around the lake, good shopping in Como. It's on the main train line so easy to get to the airport. Make sure you visit Bellagio - one of our favourite places.

Como, or our new favorite Maggiore, would both work good for you I think. Both have extensive ferry systems so you can travel around by boat which is much more interesting than by bus.
Both lakes are more interesting to see from the water on the ferry than by road.

i'm starting to lean toward staying in bellagio for our visit - scenic, centrally located, good transportation. need to check on making it to mxp on time for a 9 am flight to naples.

Check Stresa: only a few miles from MXP airport;
boats all over Lake Maggiore, up to Switzerland;
gondola to Monte Mottarone with views to the highest mountains of Europe (Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Gran Paradiso, Ortles, Cevedale....);
bus and hiking trails to romantic Lake Orta,
boat to scenic Islands (Isola Bella with castle and subtropical gardens, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori....);
buses to scenic mountain villages and to the Val Grande Nature park;
frequent trains to Milan city center (less than 1 hr);
5 different scenic itineraries from Stresa to lake Lugano and to Lake Como;
etc. etc.
http://www.stresa.com/
http://www.visitstresa.com/See_and_do.htm
http://www.stresaturismo.it/isole_borromee.asp

Bellagio is OK -- a bit touristy and crowded, but it depends on what you're looking for.

My choice would be Varenna -- nice little town, good accommodations, lots of restaurants on the water, and good ferry service to all other towns on the lake. The best part is that the train from Milan goes direct to Varenna. You can buy an all-day ferry pass and visit the major towns, including Villa Carlotta.

thank you very much for your complete discussion and candid opinions on the area. one of our main concerns is getting there from mxp and getting back to mxp with as little hassle as possible. getting in at 8 am and spending just 3 nights. don't want to spend much time transferring. this is just a side trip since we got great rates flying into milan.

varenna is my choice by far the best location on the lake

I second
Stresa for Maggiore
Varenna for Como (Albergo Milano)
Stresa is on the "side" of Milan where airport is.
Since flight is a key for you, just check out the train schedules to see which works best.
Might also check price of car service from Stresa to airport.
Only 50 km from Stresa to airport. Almost double or more from Bellagio or Varenna as they are on the "wrong side" of airport.
Can't really go wrong with either.

My personal favourite in the area is Ascona, Switzerland on Lake Maggiorre. https://www.google.ca/search?q=ascon...w&ved=0CBwQsAQ

This is the hotel I would suggest if it fits your budget.
http://www.hoteltamaroascona.com/de/galerie

It may not suit you from a transportation viewpoint as well as some of the others but Ascona is just so much better than Como, Bellagio, etc. in my opinion.