Hello,  I am a retired Canadian

Five or six months , without  Residence , almost Elective , do not's possible , in Italy !http://www.lifeinitaly.it/Inglese/italyresidenceguide.htmVolunrer work , do not help  ! , is necessary  a Job Contract , with almost 600 euro , monthly -

I don't really know how to help you, however I could put you in touch with another Canadian woman who has a rental business on Lake Como, maybe she can give you more insight. Let me know if you want to contact her. 

http://www.charity-charities.org/volunteering/Italy-volunteers/Milan.html      this wuld be my suggestion , google places and appy directly .. good luck  

Hello Denise and Sharibelle, if you want to contact Vittoria who is teh Canadian woman on lake Como, you can contact her via her site - I am reluctant to give her email out on the open net as it may attract spam, anyway go to http://www.lovecomo.comand in the contact section you can send her a message and leave your email. Also on the site you can see all the rentals available.Please say hello to Vittoria from me - Conor