Family of 5, want to base in Como area for 2-3 days. I figure we can take the fast ferry to do the requisite visit to Bellagio. Maybe a visit to Torno. We have to make a drive over to Biella on one of the days, and we are leaving by train to Zurich on the morning of the 3rd day. We'd like to do a private boat tour of the lake for an hour, and I'll take kids to see Villa del Balbianello, if open. Any thoughts about which of the above towns to base? Plan to do a VRBO/ airbnb.

With such a short stay and a list of excursions already planned, I wouldn't consider Bellagio "requisite."

Moltrasio and Cernobbio are only a few kilometers apart. Cernobbio is bigger, but otherwise I'm not sure it makes much difference which town you choose.

Where will you come from?
May be it might be easier to visit Biella before your Como stay.

Coming up from Lake Trasimeno via Modena. Any thoughts on which of the towns more conducive to walking around, interesting?