Aloha all, we will be traveling to Italy's lake region next month and have 10 days to explore. I am still slightly confused as where the best BASE camp would be. We will have a car and love day trips with a base. Thanks for any suggestions.

Which lake(s) do you plan to visit? One base isn't really practical to visit all of them, so you might end up doing half your time on Lake Como and half on Lake Maggiore, or something along those lines.

I agree with jent103 about staying at two locations.

In my opinion, the prettiest lake is Lake Garda. I would stay there in Sirmione,IN THE OLD PART of the town. From there, you can take the boats or drive to other resorts along the lake. Lake Garda is the furthest to the east in the lake country.

Then, you could also stay at Lake Como (Bellagio). From there or nearby Varennea you can take the ferry to Menaggio and drive to Lake Lugano and Lago Maggiore on day trips. No need to change hotels. .

It takes 3 locations to see all 5 major lakes. You can do the western 4 from 2 locations--if you have a car.

I love Orta because hardly anyone knows about it and it's beautiful.

thank you for your suggestions. I sometimes enjoy the planning just as much as the travel!

"I love Orta because hardly anyone knows about it...."
I don't agree, may be that's true for people from overseas
"and it's beautiful.
here, I fully agree.

With a car, I would never stay at Bellagio or Varenna (unless you are fond of car ferry rides). Choose the Western shore of Lake Como (Menaggio, Gravedona, Dongio, Garzeno, Tremezzo, etc.), any place on Lake Lugano or in the hills above it, or the Northern part of Lake Maggiore (Brissago, Ascona, Locarno, Magadino, Piazzogna, Ronco Gerra, Sant Abbondio, Pino, Tronzano, Maccagno, Colmegna, Agra, etc.
http://www.luganoturismo.ch/en/290/default.aspx
http://www.maggiore.ch/?lang=en
http://www.illagomaggiore.com/?set_language=en&cl=en
http://www.lagomaggioreturismo.it/ing_home.html
http://www.lagomaggiore.net/uk/
http://www.lagomaggioreonline.com/?newlingua=UK&
http://www.ascona-locarno.com/
http://distrettolaghi.eu/en/
http://www.vareselandoftourism.it/
http://www.borromeoturismo.it/scripts/home.php?lang=en
http://www.cannero.it/uk/index.asp?a=0&b=0
http://www.museo-ogliari.it/
http://www.provincia.va.it/santacaterina/
http://www.villataranto.it/
http://www.gignese.it/museo/
http://www.giardinoalpinia.it/
http://www.mottarone.it/
http://www.comune.ortasangiulio.no.it/

Wow! Thank you for all the links We have been traveling to Europe for the past 23 years and most times have rented a car. I am however re-thinking of renting one on this trip. What would be your opinion? We could take the train from Milan to our base and then just enjoy the ferries. Undecided.