Italy Itinerary help

You seem to have a firm a handle on what you want to do and see and how you have your days arranged. One tip is most people here count nights rather than days since it makes it clear where you are each night and making reservations and travel arrangements. You get nights - 1 full days somewhere so 3 nights is 2 full days.

If you are spending a week in Florence and are interested in Bologna I would consider doing from Florence since it's only 33 minutes by fast train. And then you can tour the city without worrying about luggage. Siena - either by bus or train - from Florence is the great Tuscan day trip to consider as as well. I wouldn't do too many day trips from Florence because there is so much to see there. The Duomo museum is great and you have enough time you can do more of a one site a day and throw in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello without over packing a day.

In Venice I would think about scheduling tickets for San Marco and add on the extended museum entrance. I think it's fascinating but even if you are not that into it the access to rooftop view of San Marco and the Grand Canal are worth it. Be sure to wander and get lost away from the crowds in Venice and just enjoy the uniqueness of the city. I live it and it is like nowhere else.

If your group has any interest in fashion check out the Armani Silos in Milan - not too far from the church of the Last Supper.

Varenna is really about the views, the villas and their gardens and the mid-lake ferry to see other views and gardens. One note - the ferry station in Bellagio is crazy complicated compared to Varenna so give it some extra time coming back and expect some chaos. When you get off and head into Bellagio it's easy to miss how busy it is around you but it'll be there when you come back.

Book fast trains between big cities ahead of time for savings (sometimes significant) but you're trading flexibility for prices since they often can't changed or refunded. I've had good luck with AppTaxi in northern Italy for calling cabs and all Tuscan buses are now supposed to be credit card tap in/tap out but I believe the paper tickets still exist for now. Everyone should have their own tap card for clarity. Some places will allow you to put multiple people on a card but I'd be sure to triple confirm it before trying it.

Hope that helps, have a great trip,
=Tod

You've only planned one full day in Venice, which I consider painfully short. At the least, I'd plan a late-ish departure from Venice when you head to Florence. I can't provide guidance on luggage storage, but if you're staying at a hotel, you should be able to leave your bags there on departure day.

Single-ride vaporetto tickets are painfully expensive at 9.50 euros, though it's possible your daughter will get a break on the fare. It's very much worth figuring out how much you'll be using the vaporetti. A 24-hour pass costs 25 euros, and that might make sense for you on Day 7. Since you are staying near the train station, you'll avoid the need for a vaporetto immediately upon arrival and when you're ready to depart.

I don't know when you plan to take this trip, but lodging in Varenna is much in demand and the supply is not large. If yours is a 2025 trip, you need to look for lodging in Varenna ASAP.