Not Churches or Museums

Just a note that you really don't need a whole day to visit the leaning tower and adjacent church and Field of Miracles. You can easily do this as a day-trip from Florence. Pisa is just over an hour by train from Florence. Once at the Pisa Centrale train station, you have a 25-30 minute walk to the leaning tower. Or, you can take a nearby bus or taxi. Once at the tower, it's 1hr-2hr visit unless you want to get tickets and actually climb the tower. Lucca is nearby and you can visit there either going to or coming from Pisa. The Vatican is a great visit. I suggest going early in the morning.

If you don't want the Churches or Museums I would probably skip Florence all together. Maybe Venice, Rome, stay in Lucca and day trip to Pisa and maybe stop at a hill town on the way to Rome like Orvieto

You can see Venice in two full days. It's small and compact, and everyone will enjoy it.

There is lots to see and do in Florence that does not include museums (althouugh the museums there are incredible) In Florence you can go to Santa Croce Church -- and visit the graves of DaVinci, Michelangelo and all the other hometown heroes. They're all in beautiful crypts! There's an adjacent leather factory (not a factory as we have them in the US, more of a large workshop). Eisenhower got his Presidential desk set here. This is a 'guy's favorite, and my husband loved it. You can go up to Piazza Michelangelo and see the sunset over Florence and admire the beautiful (copy) Statue of David. Buy Dad a beer here! The Medici Palace is also lovely and I'll bet both you and Dad love it. Your 17 year old son will love the Bistec Florentine (t-bone steak) and Gelatos, as well as the girl-watching at night in Piazza dela Signoria at night! Keep in mind that Florence is a college town and there are lots of young people, and the shopping there reflects a youthful vibe! As you can see I LOVE Florence, lucky enough to visit a college daughter studying there! I haven't scratched the tip of it, and I'm sure you'll find it enchanting. Make sure to take Dad & Son through Ponte Vecchio (think gold jewelry in heaps) and to Golden View Open Bar on the Arno River.

Rome has the Coloseum of course, and your son will love it, along with the unforgettable Roman Forum. I go to the Vatican/St. Peters every single time I'm in Rome and enjoy it tremendously. If the Sistine has a PM tour, I'd jump on that as it is cooler, and less crowded. The Vatican Museum is full of pre-Christianity artifacts, and has an entire map room from different eras and I'll bet your Dad and Son both enjoy that. The area of Trastevere will be a great place to have dinner, as it has a youthful vibe that you will all enjoy.

Maybe the Catacombs in Rome?

I think you'd be fun to travel with! I take "giril" friends to Italy frequently. I'm in my early sixties, but don't think I'm as "young" as your Dad! Hahah. You're going to have a GREAT trip! PM me if you need other suggestions. :-)

I've been to Sicily twice, and she stole my heart! Now I fly into Rome and spend a few days and go to Sicilia! I've made friends there, and we communicate several times a week. Can't wait to go back! I really, really need to get off my lazy rear and write a trip report for the last trip that was amaaaazing!

Make sure while in Rome you take Dad and Son to Piazza Navona. Your son will enjoy the crazy artisans, and the "toys" the locals sell. July will be VERY hot. Take a bottle of water with you everywhere, and rest assured, you can refill them from any fountain throughout the city. The water in Rome is fabulous and no one will get sick!

Fill your water bottles from the free-standing "nazone" (big nose) taps or from the small taps near major fountains.