If you can arrange your schedule so that you're in Torino on the week-end, you should be able to get better hotel rates than on weekdays. Torino is a business city, generally off the tourists' beaten path. Ziner, Simona, lives in the Torino area.

On our recent Italy trip, we found it impossible to get reasonably-priced accommodations in Milano (it was fashion week). We discovered a B&B between Milan and Malpensa, which was perfect for our needs: Villa Chiara in Magenta http://go.supereva.it/villachiara2003/index.htm?p If you decide to stay there, perhaps you'll be able to arrange a get-together with Marco De Angeli, who lives nearby.

You might find some ideas in our 1998 travelogue for your visit to the Lake Maggiore area: http://www.thetravelzine.com/italy13.htm By now, maybe they've fixed up the Hotel Rosengarten, which was tacky but well-located in Pavia. If you decide to stay in the Hotel Du Parc in Stresa, be sure to get a room facing the lake to avoid facing the railroad track that runs close-by.

Perhaps other Ziners will have some ideas for you.

Regards, Linda