I will be arriving into MXP airport in Milan on 9/6 and I am looking for a place in the greater Northern Italy region to spend an entire week.
The goal is to spend a week drinking cappuccinos and working on writing new music (this is done on my laptop so can be done anywhere). I am also hoping to get active with some walking/hiking, swimming and bonus if I can do a biking day. Being within walking distance to a town is important as well (this town can be small, just needs to have more than one restaurant option). Bonus if reachable without a car (busses and ferries are fine).
I have found a wonderful old stone house within walking distance to Nesso on Lake Como. My only hesitation with this choice is that Lake Como could be too packed with tourists and there may be a more underrated alternative (although I recognize that this location will still be quite magical).
Does anyone have suggestions for alternative destinations I should be looking into? What's your favorite Italian lake town? Have you ever been to northern Italy and found your special corner of the world there?