Feedback on 3-week Italian Itinerary

Two nights yield only one full day; a half day of relocation. I suggest you consolidate, maybe at least 2 stops less. E.g. from Amalfi you can run over to Salerno on the ferry. From up north to Amalfi I would suggest a train to Naples and a driver.
MXP to Stresa you take the Alibus [1 hour].

Provided you and your daughter are OK with the fast pace of your planned itinerary, it seems well thought out. If you decide it's too busy, then maybe either stay in Milan and day trip to Stresa and stay in Amalfi and day trip to Salerno and Paestum or eliminate a couple of destinations and stay longer in the others.

I do a lot of 2 and 3 night stops (and some 1 nighters) but I usually try to intersperse at least one or two 4 or 5 night stops so it's not so much go go go. Certainly you could accomplish this by combing Salerno and Amalfi into one 5 night stay (Amalfi). And as much as I love Ferrara and like Arezzo they could each be done in one day (night) so perhaps you could move the saved day(s) to either Venice or Rome either of which could easily fill 4 or 5 days.

Here's my photos of all those places: https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f739967755

All nice places, but I would never want to do so many short 2-3 night stops. I suggest that you eliminate two of the places on your itinerary. Add time to Rome, it deserves more than 3 nights.

Milan - is it worth using up all that time to spend about 15 minutes looking at the Last Supper? I haven't been to Bergamo, I don't know why it's a priority for you other than you just haven't been there.

Like most of the responders, I get tired just thinking about your trip. Give your daughter the time to enjoy and soak it up. Too many destinations tends to create a kaleidoscope effect. Let her absorb each place so she can remember what was unique about it.

Instead of Ferrar/Arezzo, spend 4 nights in Bologna. The medieval center is great and if you get tired of the city, you can day trip to Ferrara, Modena, and lots more, including wonderful Ravenna.

Then you can take a fast train to Salerno. I would probably stay in Salerno or skip it. Staying in Amalfi sounds great but I wouldn't change hotels. I'd stay 4-5 nights. You can take the bus or ferry to Salerno, then train or bus to Paestum. Use the transfer time to get a gelato at Nettuno and walk along the promenade.

Lastly, 3N in Rome is shockingly short.

Try to go to the cemetery in Milano (easy to get there via subway). I know it may sound a little off the beaten path, but the place is fascinating. If you're going to Stresa, you really should take the 3-4 hour boat tour to the islands. Like most itineraries, you are really packing it in, trying to do to much in too little time. I hope you like mobs of people because that's what you're going to get in Rome and Venice. I know many will disagree with me, but having visited both places more than once, they are both down at the bottom of my list of places to see in Italy (my favorite European country). Maybe just visit St. Peter's and St. Mark's and spend the extra 4 days in other cities/villages. Siena come to mind. Lucca. Assisi. Good luck.

Sorry, Bologna is OK, but pales compared to 90% of the cities and towns that I have visited in Italy. Ravenna is great.

I really liked Bologna, too. It has one of the largest medieval districts in all of Europe. Lots of atmospheric walking to be done, and you don't run into many American tourists. What's not to like about that? It's true that Bologna doesn't have the blockbuster sights of Rome or Florence (or Ravenna), but neither do the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Lake Como, etc.

It's all a matter of your priorities. Bologna's not a great place for landmark collectors, but I think it's wonderful for absorbing the local atmosphere.

John, yes, we’ll be trying to steer clear of some of the mobs in Venice and Rome! I’ve been to both cities multiple times but felt like she will enjoy Rome because of the history and things she’s seen in movies, and I love Venice besides it being her “must see” request.

My husband & I participated in a wonderful cooking class one year in Rome, and I’m planning for us to do that one of the days. When it comes down to details, I will be focusing on what appeals to her vs. expected top tourist activities.

Thanks for the comment about the Milan cemetery! We’ll check into it.

Of the 20 plus Italian towns I’ve stayed overnight, Bologna is my least favorite. But, Chani, you make a good point that we could base there and see Ferrara and Ravenna (I hoped she could see those amazing mosaics!) as long as we switched Bergamo for Milan for a smaller town experience.

Is there a reason you want to switch coasts after seeing Venice? Have you considered tootling down the Adriatic coast instead of crossing over to the Tyrrhenian coast? There's lots to see in Le Marche and Abruzzo. Then you could cross back across the Apennines to Rome for a few nights and departure. We were in Abruzzo this past September for 3 weeks and there was plenty to do. The weather was ideal and the crowds - well, what crowds? It's easy travel, there is a regional train line and good roads all the way along the coast. There's also a fast train from Bologna. If you want to go inland occasionally (e.g. Urbino, Sulmona) train is less ideal but there are lots of inter-city buses. To get back to Rome, there are 3 express coach lines from Pescara to Rome, easy and comfortable. I can share some more tips but I'll wait to hear if you would even consider this. You've been to Italy often enough that maybe something new would be more fun.

Nelly, I would definitely like to hear more about your recommendations! Thanks so much!!

Ok, I lied. Not waiting to hear if this interests you - I'll go ahead and suggest an "East Coast" itinerary to see if it whets your interest. Looks like you have 19 nights, so what about this:

Stresa - 2 nights
Bergamo - 3 nights (to provide time for a day trip to see Lake Iseo and Valcamonica cave drawings)
Venice - 3 nights
Ferrara - 2 nights
Ravenna - 2 nights (edited to correct)
Ascoli Piceno - 2 nights
Sulmona - 2 nights
Rome - 3 nights
Fly home

Unique by our forum standards - but all fascinating medium-size places, bookended by Venice and Rome

P.S. from Sulmona you can take either a train or a bus to Rome. Bus will be faster and more comfortable.
P.P.S. If you've already been to Stresa - maybe you could skip that, go straight to Bergamo, and add the days to Abruzzo - so much to do and see

Nelly, what’s the town after Ferrara? I can only find the Varenna that I’m familiar with at Lake Como.

sorry, dyslexic moment. I meant Ravenna!!

Isabel, I love your photos! I’ve looked at some of them before previous trips for some photo ideas and to anticipate being there.

Thank you so much for your replies! Here’s the modifications, along with ideas that interest my daughter for each site. We are not planning on doing everything listed!

Stresa-3. Morning ferry to Villa Taranto, Stresa Music Festival, Isola Bella & Pescatori, Daughter - gondola up to Mottarone.
1 hr. Train Milan-2. Last Supper painting, day trip to Bergamo (1 hr. T each way)
2.5 hr. Train to Venice-3. Wander the islands & purposely get lost, Clock Tower tour, Doges Palace tour.
1 hr. Train to Ferrara-3. Ferrara castle, etc., day trip to Ravenna (1 hr. T each way), Daughter - cooking class/Jean - train to Parma to see my favorite cathedral again.
5.5 hr. Train to Salerno-2. Day trip to Paestum Greek ruins (.5 T each way)
.5 hr. Ferry to Amalfi-3. Day trip to Ravello and/or Positano
.5 hr. Ferry(Salerno) & 1.5 hr. Train to Rome-3. Colosseum & Roman Forum, cooking class, Jean - Borghese Gallery/daughter - tourist stuff.

The train times make it more efficient to stick with heading west vs. staying on the east coast.