stresa italy, on lake maggiore

At the risk of sounding flip, it really depends on what you enjoy doing.

rich, IMO, that's a great idea! Stresa is a wonderful smaller city, with some interesting sights in the area. It's also a short distance by train from Milan, so will be easy to get to MXP for your flight home. The Italy Guidebook has great information on Stresa, including Hotels, restaurants and sight seeing. A few things you might consider: > Tour the Borromeo Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola Pescatore). Isola Bella is the most interesting, with a large Mansion that can be toured, as well as ornate gardens (complete with Peacocks). > Take a trip to Mount Mottarone via Cable Car (actually two lifts are required to get to the top). There's a small "alpine garden" at the mid-point stop which is interesting to wander around for awhile. If you take the Chair Lift right to top, the view is incredible (provided it's not "hazy" that day). > Take a day trip to Locarno, Switzerland via the scenic Cento Valli Railway, returning to Stresa by boat. It's a bit of a long day, but it's a very enjoyable trip. While in Locarno, you can have a look at the magnificent Madonna del Sasso Monastery, or take the Cable Car to Cardada (the entrance to that is close to that of the Monastery - you'll need to take the Funicular from town to get there). Have a look at This Site for the details. If it's a nice day, it's great to have a meal or beverage at the Cafe at the top of the Cable Car, watching the Paragliders sail by. Happy travels!

I think three nights is a bit too long, unless you were to explore further afield as the previous poster suggested. We stayed two nights last September and really one night would have been enough for us. Don't stay on Isola Pescatori as we did; it shuts down almost completely by late afternoon, earlier in inclement weather.

Rich,
I think it is a good idea. I found the bus a better option to get to the airport http://www.safduemila.com/alibus_2010_malpensalagomaggiore.html