The resort towns offer excellent opportunities for relaxation and sports on longer stays, but for short visits you'll get a better idea of the lake aboard a boat cruise (3 4 hours, with a meal on board, from Stresa, Baveno, or Pallanza) than by road.
383668
For longer stays, the resort towns are perfect for relaxation and sports, but for shorter visits, you'll see more on a boat cruise.
383669
For short vacations, resort towns are perfect to stay in.