Florence vs. Venice

I guess I would pick based on what travel you are doing the day before and the day after - if Venice is closer (or more convenient)- Venice. If Florence is closer - Florence. But since you have been to Florence - Venice would be new (as long as it's not a cruise ships in port day). Venice offers a very different experience than Florence.

If you have not been to Venice but have been to Florence that kind of answers it right there.
Of the two I preferred Florence but Venice is such a unique place that I do think you should visit it.
Main reason I did not like Venice as much was the crowds / tour groups but if you can arrange your days so you up seeing the main sites early and then see lesser sites midday you can work around the crowding plus November I imagine is less of a crowded time.

Since you don't seem to have a huge preference, have your daughter research both destinations and let her choose. I would expect her to be more enthusiastic when she has done homework about what she's going to see.

It doesn't really matter where we are coming from because at that point we can do either, if that makes sense. Our route can take us one way or the other. It may not make sense to you all, but it's sort of like a fork in the road of our travel plans. We are working our way to Southern Germany.

With an 11 yr old, I would choose Venice. Vivaldi’s former home is now a five star hotel, Londra Palace.

Venice would be new (as long as it's not a cruise ships in port day).

To me, this would be the key. How long will you have for your choice? If you were there for at least two nights, you could get up early and stay out later to avoid the cruisers. My understanding is that if you venture away from the heart of the tourist area, even on cruise days you can avoid the crowds.

Sit down with your daughter and watch some RS videos of both Florence and Venice (they are on YouTube). That may help you decide.

Venice. You have already been to Florence, besides Venice is more unique.

While I prefer Florence, You also need to consider your connection to southern Germany, so keeping that in mind, I'd say Venice.

But the art of Florence is the plus for us to go there.

That's an interesting point.

Art in Florence is predominantly in museums and predominantly medieval and renaissance.

Art in Venice is predominantly in situ, somewhat later, both in a few scuolas and other institutions like Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, where the fabulous St Jerome and the Lion is, and in many churches.

Personally, and this is just me, I always return to Venice at any opportunity, I absolutely adore seeing art exactly where it was commissioned for, with the architecture matching the art and the art matching the architecture, and the various other pieces of art working together as they were intended to work.

I think perhaps it may depend on which artist or period you and your daughter are most interested in Fra Angelico, go to Florence.

If you like boats, Venice. Unique bridges, lovely walking, chandeliers illuminating the Grand Canal from the upper floors, different and fabulous architecture, Venice.

Oh, did I say I love Venice?

YMMV.

Both are pretty cool, especially in November.

Venice, hands down. There's no other city like it.

It appears that you answered your own question, go to Venice.

I've been to both - and in November. My husband loved Venice (he's a water rat) and I loved Florence (I am a former art curator). So that settles that, huh? Haha.

Seriously, I am returning to Florence this November for a week by myself to spend some more time looking at art. But - Venice is so incredibly expensive during most of the year that if you think you may return to Italy someday, do Venice. I watched the prices for a few years and it never really seems to be that cheap. November is the low season (only one cruise ship the entire time we were there and it was only on the first day). The weather was cool in the morning and beautiful in the afternoon. We were there five nights because I expected to get to Padua to see the Scrovegni Chapel. Unfortunately it was closed for conservation that week. We spend three days wandering around the city and one in the lagoon on the islands. We had a wonderful time and hope to get back.

Edit to add: I found Venice to be a bit overwhelming with tourist tat. For me it was sad to see. Horrible selfie sticks everywhere. Hawking cheap crap on every corner. And this was low season! That said, wander into the lanes and get lost. Venice is beautiful.

erodgreg: Thank you. That's the sort of reply I was hoping to get.

Venice for this reason alone. It's sinking. May not disappear in your lifetimes but possibly in hers.

Nothing like it on the planet so let the 11 year old experience it before it's lost forever.

There's art to keep you happy as well.

https://www.christies.com/features/Venice-10-Permanent-Artworks-8234-1.aspx

Not too mention music for her:

I put in Nov 1 - Nov 30 dates so you could see all the musical programs scheduled.
https://www.classictic.com/en/special/venice-concerts/2/?date_from=01-11-2018&date_until=30-11-2018

I agree with the others -- Venice for sure. A friend of mine traveled to both Venice and Florence with her teens and they enjoyed Venice more (for what that's worth). I agree with the other comment that the crowds in St. Mark's are awful during the main part of the day, so I'd plan to go early morning or later in the day when the cruise ship day-trippers are gone. Plus, St. Mark's is amazing at night with the lights and the orchestras playing in the square. You also may want to get tickets for a specific time to visit St. Mark's or book at tour at the Duomo so you don't have to stand in the ticket line (we exited the Duomo around noon and upon seeing the hordes, we had to leave immediately and came back later to explore the area).