Welcome suggestions on Mother/daughter trip

Well, Dubrovnik is much, much, much smaller than Rome and Vienna. It sounds as if you have 10 nights. The idea of taking two flights (in and out of Dubrovnik) in order to spend just two nights there is stressing me out, but if you devote three nights to Dubrovnik you'll have to cut either Rome or Vienna to three nights as well. I think that would be a mistake.

Is there any possibility you can talk your daughter out of Dubrovnik? It really doesn't fit into a 10-night itinerary that starts in Rome and ends in Vienna.

Have you checked out flights? That's your only transportation option. I use Skyscanner for intra-European flights. It doesn't turn up any non-stop Rome-Dubrovnik flights on April 29. There is one on April 30, departing at 1:50 PM. That's really going to chop up the day--giving you insufficient time to do much in Rome before heading to the airport, and not getting you to Dubrovnik (airport) until 3:10 PM.

Two days later, on May 2, there's one non-stop from Dubrovnik to Vienna, again departing just after lunchtime (at 1 PM). The same flight operates on May 3, so you have some flexibility there.

I believe COVID restrictions have been loosened in a lot of places, but you'll need to be sure you meet the in-bound restrictions for all there countries:

• To Italy from the US.
• To Croatia from the US and Italy.
• To Austria from the US, Italy and Croatia.

I know in the past, many countries asked where you had been over the previous 2 weeks, not just the origin of the flight that brought you to their country. Also check to be sure the timing of your vaccinations and boosters meets the rules, especially for Austria. I think at one time Austria required the most recent vaccination to have been within the last 270 days; I hope that's no longer true, but this website seems to state that the limit is still in place: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations#:~:text=The%20Johnson%20%26%20Johnson%20jab%20is,are%20valid%20for%20entering%20Austria.

Having been to all three, I have to say Acraven has an excellent point about trying to stitch together these three cities through three airports in just ten days. While it can be done, the question is whether you are going to actually enjoy it. Each arrival is going to require going through immigration and a ride of about an hour to get to the city center after burning another hour getting through the airport arrivals gauntlet. That said, Rome probably can use the most number of days you can allocate to it- four nights there would not be too many, particularly considering jet lag will be slowing you down at your first city. Dubrovnik, while it can be seen in one day- is going to require at least two nights to begin enjoying it.
Three days in Vienna is adequate for most. Hopefully, your flight to Vienna will arrive early in the day.

As an ER RN your daughter is accustomed to a high revving pace, but with the logistical issues acraven researched, going back to work may be more relaxing than the trip.

"Less is more" has been a phrase/admonition for nearly 200 yrs. It may be worthy of consideration as you plan your trip

Could you discuss with your daughter why she wants to go to Dubrovnik? It's a coastal, historic town. If it's the 'coastal' location that she desires maybe you could do a few day trip down to the Amalfi Coast from Rome. If it's a smaller, historic city experience she wants, maybe you could do a few days in Florence, Siena, or Venice, etc. The advantage of these over Dubrovnik is no flight and no extra country (with possible entry restrictions, etc.). That will save time and probably extra stress and possible complications. Of course if it's Croatia or Dubrovnik specifically she wants other options won't cut it. But I agree that even though flight times aren't that much (not more than the trains to other places in Italy), the total time will be much more with getting to/from airport, waiting, security, immigration, etc. not to mention the lack of flexibility with travel times of the flights vs the many more options of the train times.

I believe the OP is from Canada. Are you flying from Canada to Europe? If so, you will need to research the Covid restrictions from Canada, not the US.

Yes, we are from Canada, dead centre! I have researched the entry requirements and we are good, Vax wise, etc.,. I do believe I agree with most of the suggestions here, the time spent in airports, etc and customs is going to suck some of the fun out of the trip. Yes, a coastal experience is her thought, perhaps I can swing her over to some of the suggestions here. Thanks, everyone, good input from all!

Hi Judy, when you mentioned your daughter was 40 when you first planned to go, it triggered this post I saved. My daughter was also 40 when we first planned to go and also works in the medical field.

No comments on your itinerary, but hope there might be something in this link that makes your trip even more special!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/advice-for-mother-traveling-with-daughter

Very good input everyone, thank you.
Jean - that was a fabulous read , thanks a bunch and will take to heart a few of the suggestions for sure..
As we are from Canada, some things don’t apply. CDC cards, etc for example. Could not talk daughter out of Dubrovnik, so off we go, after having moved Vienna first - Dub 2nd and then to Rome. All flights booked and the itinerary is actually pretty considering the stops, we are good for it. Now to book the fun stuff! Still welcome suggestions!