Hi all...I am probably going to just rent a car but wanted your opinions first. We are flying into M

Hi all...I am probably going to just rent a car but wanted your opinions first. We are flying into Malpensa, Milan and heading to Stresa on Lake Maggiore. From there we head to a hotel on Lake Lugano and then we are stopping in Varese for two nights to be closer to Malpensa. I'm pretty sure we should get a car but just wondering what others thought about doing this without one. I am reading that it is difficult to navigate with a car in the lake region. But it sounds like it would be best for us to have one if only to get to our three main destinations and to/from the airport? Let me know your thoughts please? I should add that we have driven through many other parts of Italy and for the most part, no problems. Although there were some of the areas we drove (amalfi coast, honeymoon travel special etc.) where I couldn't wait to get out of that car!
My husband and I traveled to Bellagio and surrounding areas and never felt the need for a car - there are ferries and/or trains to take you around. This September we will travel to Stresa, Varenna and back to Milan without a car. In researching honeymoon travel special the areas, I felt a car was not necessary because the area was so small and, again, trains honeymoon travel special and ferries would be easier transportation. To give you a little more detail we will be renting a car for a week in Tuscay, returning the car to Orvieto then Florence by train for 5 days, and then travleing to Manarola, Sestri Levante, Turin, Stresa, Varenna and then to Milan.
I didn't need a car for Bellagio as the ferries were great but I was glad I rented a car for Lake Maggiore so I recommend a car for the places you're going. Try to take a jaunt to Lake Orta (about honeymoon travel special 45 minutes from Stresa) - it's a wonderful place to spend a half day (or a full day if that fits your schedule).