Hello! I’m hoping to get some suggestions for a trip I want to plan for my daughter and me for next summer. She’ll be graduating high school and I’d love to plan a special get away for the two of us. I’m looking for ideas for one week, but can add a day or two. Ideally I’d love to have one home base with options for day trips but could do two spots if getting from one destination to the next wasn’t too difficult. We’ve been to Europe twice with the whole family. First time we saw Florence, Almalfi Coast (stayed in Praiano), and Rome. Next trip we started in Senigallia, then saw Venice, Lake Como and then up to Switzerland to Wengen and Lucerne. We love Italy and my daughter would love to go back and see more, but I’m open to other countries. Hoping for a city to explore with some historical sights, shopping, great restaurants but also want to incorporate some natural beauty and time relax on the water. Please help give me some ideas of places to look into! Thank you!
Verona - romantic, historic, and well connected. Day trips possible to Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Ferrara, Trento and Rovereto, as well as tours through the wine region of Valpolicella.
Since you've been to Italy twice, I'd consider Paris. Lots or things to interest a young woman there.
Paris or London, each have stellar opportunities for day trips, historical sights, shopping and eating. We’ve spent at least 5 full weeks in London over the years and still enjoy short stays. We’ve spent a full week in Paris twice as well as several 2 to 4 night stays and again, stop back when we can.
If you can stretch your trip to 10 nights, fly into one and out of the other connecting by Eurostar, spending 5 nights in each great city.
Editing to add, I know you said Italy but…Paris and London!
Puglia. Lecce and the Salento coast — stunning and amazing food. Or Sicily (Palermo, Cefalu, Siracusa, Taormina, etc.) for breathtaking views, food, beaches, etc. You can’t go wrong with either one.
Other options: lively Bologna as a base with day trips to Parma, Modena, Ravenna, etc.
Padua or Vincenza as a base with day trips to Verona, etc.
...my daughter would love to go back and see more...ideas of places to look into!...
Since this is her graduation trip, I'd lean toward going to the place(s) that appeal to her. She might surprise you with her ideas. If you only have one week (plus a day or two), I'd opt for one place and do day trips from there. That would eliminate losing most of a day relocating. Someone mentioned Verona as a home base and that sounds like a great idea. Same for Paris. Although one can spend an entire week or more just in the city, you'll still be able to do a day trip or two if you like. I know this sounds very general, but it is her graduation trip, and who knows when you'll be able to do another with her like this.