Young Adult 2 week Trip

Ian, no one can answer this question for you. You and your sister need to get some guide books and decide which has more to offer to you, Rome or Barcelona. Make a list of what you want to see and do in each city and base your choice off of that. We can't tell you which you'd like more since we don't know you. Donna

Nightlife in Venice. Hmmm. Paradiso Perduto on the Fondementa Misercordia in the Cannaregio district. This is definately a young persons' spot. Get your drink in the bar then hang out with everyone outside on the canal. They have live music on the weekends.
Don't try to do too much. 3 days minimum at each spot to really get the feel of the place and see the sights. That makes time for 3 or maybe 4 spots, and don't forget that traveling kills at least half a day. So comb through the bucket list. Always remember, you'll be back.

During the regular school year Florence has a student population (I believe) of @75,000. When I was there in May one year visiting a niece who was doing a "Maymester" there were lots of clubs and fun places for people your age. Can't believe they'd all be closed during the summer months. Beware, though, Italians know how to "nurse a drink" and frown upon the American students who imbibe too much! I'd stick to Italy, IMHO. Rome has so many sites, so many things to do! Trastavere (neighborhood in Rome) is an especially young area, with lots of walking around, music, and vibe. If I were your age, I'd definitely go there. Why not save Barcelona for another trip? Spain is lovely, I've been there too, but Italy is my favorite! Both countries are worth your full attention on separate trips.

My idea is to head from Venice to Florence to Cinque Terre to Portofino to Genoa and then take a train or fly to Barcelona Ian, This is too many stops in 10-14 days. Here's a suggested itinerary: Venice - 3 nights (2 full days) Florence - 3 nights Cinque Terre - 3 nights, see Portofino on a daytrip. Portofino is very beautiful, very expensive Rome - 4 nights (3 full dasy) that's 13 nights... If you only have 10, drop one location. If you have 14, add a night wherever it most appeals to you. 1 or 2 night stops are a waste of even your youthful energy. You cannot see nor experience a place without stopping for a bit. If you find a club you like on the first night, you'll want to go back, for example, not only have the one night to play. Get a good guidebook and plot out the things you want to see and experience in each location so you know how to use your time. And the advice you received above is right on: you lose at least 1/2 a day each time you change locations. At least!

You have SIX places listed but only 10-14 days!!!! Enjoying nightlife generally means you may not want to be up everyday at 7 getting to next destination. Pare trip down to three places max.. Remember, two nights in one place is only one full day.. if a place isn't worth one full day is it really worth cramming it into a very tight schedule.. You are young and will get back to Europe again. At your age, well frankly, I would skip Florence , at 23 I found it a bit boring, I enjoy it now, but when I was younger it was not my cuppa... perhaps it would be yours though. Cinque Terra is five places, which one are you going to,, think about it, you have lots of wishes but its not as easy as you think to just get from one place to another, minimally it takes 1/2 a day, in your case some of your travels will take a bit more then a 1/2 a day. You don't want this holiday to be a tour of train stations and airports right. I know, there is so much to see, its exciting.. can you make trip a bit longer, you already have to pay so much in airfare its worth it to make it a longer trip if you can.