Lake Como

5 years ago during the month of July, I stayed in Varenna 3 nights and took the ferry for a day trip (15 minutes) one way to Bellagio, another 15 minute ferry ride another day to visit the stunning Villa Balbianello and another day just to wander around Varenna and see its sights. It's a great "home base" for visiting this part of the lake and is nice to walk along the lakeside or stop for a drink in the evening. I wish I had stayed another night. I have also visited the city of Como on another trip, but prefer the other 2 towns as they are smaller and more quaint/charming. Lake Como has other villas with gorgeous gardens which are open to the public which I would have visited if time allowed.

Buy an all-day ticket for the ferry boats and you can leisurely travel to all the towns around the lake. We did this as part of an RS trip. Did a picnic lunch in Bellagio .....
Lovely day - no schedule - just a great way to visit Como.
(our hotel was in Varenna)

The above are great suggestions, and I agree with basing in Varenna. Your time there does not need to be too scheduled, one reason being that Varenna is the hub of inter-lake boat travel. We stayed for five nights this past May, and had some rainy weather for the first two days. We carried on with the ferry riding and town visiting on the first day. However we were very glad that I had booked a cooking class for the second rainy day (coincidence, of course.) The class is at Ristorante il Caminette, which is a few miles above town. Either Chef Moreno or his wife will drive down to Varenna and pick you up. It's a lot of fun. You mostly watch Chef Moreno as he prepares a delicious multi-course lunch that you will enjoy, but guests are invited to help with the tortellini making and the wine or soft drinks flow.

The website is www.Ilcaminettoonline.com.
We also did a day trip to Milan to see the Last Supper, but I would only do that on a longer stay.

We're spending 3-4 days on Como following the Villages RS tour. We plan to base in Varenna. Any recommendations for our hotel. Would love lake view. Thanks for your help.

For Lake Como ferry times ...
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_orari.asp

Ferry to Varenna for ...
Villa Monastero, Varenna
Garden: 09:30 to 19:00 daily
House: Wed 14:00 to 19:00, Thu-Sun 09:30 to 19:00
http://www.villamonastero.eu/index.php/en/

Ferry to Bellagio for ...
Villa Melzi, Bellagio
09:30 to 18:30 daily
http://www.giardinidivillamelzi.it/GIARDINI_DI_VILLA_MELZI/

Ferry to Tremezzo for ,,,
Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo
09:30 to 19:30 daily
http://www.villacarlotta.it/

You also have ...
Villa del Balbianello, Lenno
10:00 to 18:00 ex Mon,Wed
http://www.visitfai.it/villadelbalbianello/