Suggestions for touring from Milan

Do a foodie trip to Bologna, Parma and Modena.

You could also go west to Turin (Torino). We don't hear much of Turin on here, but it's a really neat place with many things to see. Food's also great around there.

With your interest in nature, I would suggest visiting the beautiful Valle Verzasca at Locarno.

https://www.ascona-locarno.com/en/explore/valle-verzasca

This is something I have longed to do, but we do not drive in Italy any more, so it is difficult, With a car, you could drive from Milan to Locarno in 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and have the rest of that day and most of the next to explore. As this area is north of Milan, you will have a shorter drive to Lake Como than you would from places south or west.

Here is an example of hotel right on the lake you can find innLocarno:

https://www.hotelgeranio.ch/en/

The Val Verzasca is accessible via public transportation as well. Swiss Postbuses run up the valley from Locarno. And Locarno is connected to Domodossola, Italy, by the scenic Centovalli rail line. Val Verzasca is usually prettier in the spring when there's more water flowing in the small waterfalls.

I haven't spent any significant time on Lake Como yet (it's tentatively planned for this summer), but I recall reading on this forum that a car isn't the best way to get around the lake towns because the road often doesn't provide lake views. People have written that views are better from the lake boats. Of course, if you want to see places not right on the lake, the car would probably be very helpful.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to provide your input. You opened up some interesting possibilities