Traveling first time with teenage daughter

Italy is not Mexico, so the weather during spring break is not a time when you want to go to any Italian beach for anything other than a stroll in a jacket. What other kinds of things are you interested in? Art? Food? Wine? Roman Empire? Music? (I agree with Milan since your daughter loves fashion. Spend some time on Via Dante for a constant parade of fashion plates, both male and female.) You could add Rome to your itinerary since there are high speeds trains connecting it with Milan and with Venice. Fly into one city and out of another (Multi-City option on most websites aka "open jaws".)

Thanks. Helpful. Guess we'll skip CT which has mixed reviews anyway. For first time, fly into Rome, home from Milan and do Venice in between?

10 days is good for Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, in this order, with an open jaw arriving in Rome and out of Milan Malpensa. Assuming a total of 8 nights in Italy: 2 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence, 2 in Venice, 2 in Milan. Forget the beaches in April. Travel time by train (base price o/w in 2nd class): Rome to Florence= 90 min. (Euro 43) Florence to Venice= 2 hrs (Euro 45) Venice to Milan= 2 and 1/2 hrs or more (Euro 29 +). Not high speed.
Milan to Malpensa Airport= approx. 30 MIN from Milano Cadorna or 52 from Centrale.

I have to disagree with Roberto's recommendation for two nights per place. Every single time we've stayed somewhere for only two nights, we've regretted it. With that kind of schedule, you've got a horrible pace of pack, travel, find your hotel, unpack, sleep, sightsee, sleep, pack, travel, unpack, sleep, etc. I would leave Florence out of this trip, and do just Rome, Venice and Milan, in that order or reverse. But, of course, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to travel, so maybe four cities would be just fine for you. Only you can decide that.

I agree. Two days is not a good pattern. Too much travel time compared to non-travel. That time of year can be very chill.

I agree too. it is not 2 days in each location it is a day and a half with packing, checking out and then checking in after your travel time

My suggestion was dictated by the fact that if you take the train from Rome to Venice you must pass through Florence, unless you fly (which would be neither faster nor cheaper once you factor in the transfers to/from airports). The girl hasn't been to Italy before and she likes fashion. Passing through Florence without stopping would be as cruel as driving a kid through Orlando and not stopping at Disneyworld. Then anybody can choose the number of nights depending on their preference. I chose 2 for each to be politically correct, because if I truly stated what I think I would go to Milan only for the night before the flight.

If your family likes a fast-paced, get a glimpse of as much as you can type of trip, four cities would work, however, keep in mind that if you are in a place for two nights, you have about 1.5 days there.

I think 2 nights each is way too much, especially with a teen. I'd skip Rome this time and focus on Milan, Venice and Florence. Plenty of good shopping in all three with cultural attractions to entertain mom and dad. But 3 nights each won't bore the daughter to death...

What I want to see drives how long I stay in a place. I schedule my time based on sights I want to visit. I plan no more than two major sights per day. If I have six major sights, I like to plan three full days (four nights). If I have two places that I'm interested in, I'll plan one full day with a night on either side. If I only want to see one major site, I might make it a stop between stays at different towns before and after the sight, or I might stay one night there. In general, keeping the number of one-night stays to a minimum is much better. You lose less time to checking in and out, getting settled and repacking. If you are traveling fast paced, a stop for a few days to just relax and do nothing is a good idea too - but I wouldn't plan that in a ten day vacation. Traveling with my teen daughters is incredibly challenging and something to be avoided whenever possible. I hope you have better luck with yours.

One of the best things about this site is the variety of opinions and experiences that get shared. Good luck, Victoria. Do let us know what you decide, and then maybe weigh back in on this site after the trip to let us know how it went. Happy travels.

Thanks, everyone for your great responses! Boy, so much engagement! I came to the right place. We went to Spain for 10 days as a family last Spring Break and had a really great time. Luckily, my daughter adapts quickly, loves to travel, is an adventurous eater . . . and we're not big museum people. . . preferring the interesting markets, shopping, parks and people watching. So it worked out well! Great input. I appreciate greatly.

Victoria, it may not matter since you're not big museum fans, but most museums in Italy are closed on Mondays.

Having had a female college student in Italy, my advice is DON'T miss Florence. Eliminate Venice. The weather will probably not be great for that city.. Unless you have very, very deep pockets, your fashionista probably won't be able to do much shopping in Milan! Florence, on the other hand is a big college town! Lots and lots of American students, many studying fashion! Your fashionista can definitely afford a few pairs of absolutely darling shoes, bags, and an outfit or two! Other than eliminating Venice, I have to agree with Roberto's advice completely. I think your young lady will enjoy the young people in
Florence! Definitely open jaw, in Rome, train to Florence, and depart Milano!

In Rome, the area near the Spanish steps has all the "Big Designer" shops.
Very expensive!