Opting for a lake Maggiore stay vs Lake Como - suggestions appreciated!

Confused - where does Lake Como come into this?

Just wanted to state we opted for Lake Maggiore over Lake Como. I only included this if folks wanted to comment on that and have recommendations for one vs the other. We wanted a less touristy option and from my research Lake Maggiore is preferred by the locals over the busier , perhaps more spendy, Lake Como.

I have no experience with the Elvezia, but the Borromean isles are just lovely!
Now, I think that 4 nights there is too long: once you've visited Isola Madre and Isola Superiore, there is not that much to do. Keep it to 3 nights max - and 2 nights could be enough.

Thank you balso!
I thought these islands looked lovely and provided a wonderful slower pace place to stay as a launch pad to the whole lakes area. Our overall trip will include Venice, Verona, The lakes area as discussed. We're not sure if we start in Venice or start in Milan. All dependent on airfare schedule and costs.
Thanks again.

We have spent time on Lakes Maggiore, Como and Garda. We also have visited Lake Lugano in Switzerland. I would not bother with Lake Lugano as the three I mentioned in Italy are prettier and offer more than Lugano.

Suki,
Thank you for that comment on Lugano. I was thinking it is stretching us a little thin as we have plans to have time in Venice and Verona and I do not want to add another location unless it's a must see!

We are staying in Stresa next month. We stayed in Varenna on Lake Como 20 years ago. With 4 nights, you might consider a daytrip to Orta San Giulio. It looks lovely as well, and is close to Stresa. I’m not sure I would do a split stay. I would prefer to not have to pack/unpack any more than needed.

There is no need to add Lugano! We went there and have seen it, no need to return. The Italian Lakes are our favorites and we have spent many holidays visiting them all. And will return!
Make sure you include Venice and stay in Venice.

Thanks Suki for confirming what my gut was telling me!
Cheers!

I have stayed in Stresa during three trips and the last two times I finished with a night at the Boutique Elvezia on Isola Bella. I love staying there! Let me look for my 2018 trip report because I stayed at Verona again, also.

If you fly into Malpensa, Milan’s airport, it’s quicker to reserve the Alibus that goes directly from the airport to Stresa than to head towards Milan, first.

Both of these are trips where I stayed at the Boutique Elvezia Hotel. I also ate outdoors at their restaurant the evening of the 2022 trip, and it was lovely.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-trip-to-italy-2018

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-please-do-not-comment-until-i-change-the-title-filling-in-the-report-thanks

Hi Carolyn, thinking about your destinations this morning. I would stay at Stresa for three nights and give that extra night to Venice if you have a flex day. Or, may I suggest using it to stay one night at Bergamo and stay in the upper Citta Alta part of the city? The details are mentioned in that trip report, and it would be a lovely addition to your itinerary and on the way to Verona.

While in Stresa you could drive up to Lake Orta to take a look if you’re interested in seeing it. We did not care for our stay on Lake Orta at all and drove down to Lake Maggiore every day. One of our travel planning mistakes.

Thanks Jean for the great details of your recent trips. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to include your experiences!

We stayed in Como four days last May. Yes, it does take while to get to Bellagio and Varenna if that's what you want to see. However, Como is a real town with a base beyond tourism. We enjoyed it there. I'm not sure you could go wrong anywhere in the Lakes.

We spent 4 nights at Lago Maggiore last summer. We stayed in the village of Bee just above the town of Intra in the upper level of an old Italian family owned villa. Simply marvelous. Having a rental car is a necessity to stay on one of the hillside villages though.

We did a day visit to Isola Bella. Very charming. That said, I can't imaging spending multiple nights there. Just not much to do except wander the town and eat. Perhaps, you'd like to just sit and read a book. Then it might be fine.

Stresa or Baveno would be better options IMHO. Make sure to visit the gardens at Villa Taranto. Have fun.