Florence is a wonderful choice, and a wonderful contrast from Milano. The only people to whom it might not appeal are people who just honestly take little pleasure in museum-going and admiring churches inside and out. More than 75 percent of the attractions of Florence are about the religious art and architecture of the Renaissance. Spectacular and important as all of it is, Florence isn't truly enjoyable to everybody.

For some people, Venice is THE city to see in Italy (although be careful to book a hotel nearer the train station than the piazza San Marco in November, to avoid the risk of minor tidal flooding). Other people find it too Disneyfied for tourism, although in mid-November tourist crowds are much less everywhere. Still others think 3 days is really too little time and would leave the wrong impression, and some think the city is so romantic, they would rather not see it alone. For some, the city is pure magic anytime. Others find it melancholic.

If she would like a more intimate experience of Italian life, Verona is an extremely pretty small city that is lots of fun to walk around, with congenial wine bars, wonderful shopping, and an amazing Roman arena, and many beautiful art treasures.

If your daughter has a particular passion for food and markets, Bologna is unsurpassed, has a very lively youth scene and a very enjoyable historic core that has 35 miles of arcaded streets, so if it is raining, she won't have to stay indoors.

If she has a true passion for movies, and likes top flight chocolate and coffee, beautiful, bustling 19th c. Torino, with its many caffes, gorgeous royal palaces and arcaded shopping streets is very enjoyable place in Italy.

If she enjoys bicycling, misty medieval streets, and is up for something completely different, she should read up on Mantova (Mantua), where she will scarcely see another tourist but will have her eyes filled with amazing historic art and architecture, enjoy a peaceful ancient atmosphere, and eat a delicious cuisine that is absolutely untouched by tourism.

If she plays the violin, she should make a beeline for lovely old Cremona.

If she loves all things about the sea, or pesto pasta, a weekend in Genova is a real getaway if it is warm and sunny there.

If she thrills to mountains scenery, a train ride up to Trento and some forays into the spectacular Dolomiti might be great if the skies are absolutely clear.

We have just returned from a trip across Northern Italy.

Two places that shone out and that are less frequently visited by tourists were Lake Iseo just above Milan and Vicenza.

Vicenza has a very developed shopping area within the old city walls. Many of the buildings were designed by Palladio and it is a very short trip from the center to

http://pms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figura:Vicenza-palladio.jpg

Which at its time of construction has a huge effect on European architecture.

A train ticket from Milan to Venice with a stop in Vicenza would make a lot of sense. I personally would not stay in Venice as the hotels were generally very poor value for money.

Hotels in Venice are expensive because they're so popular. Staying in Venice proper (not on the mainland, not on the Lido) is a big part of what is a unique experience in all the world. It's worth paying extra for that.

However, I assume your daughter's flight is out of Milan. She could try to change it to out of Venice or Pisa (for Florence) or Torino. Returning to Milan would take a big hunk out of her 3 days. And in Italy I make it a rule to be in my departure city the night before. I have experienced too many strikes/breakdowns on Italian trains to rely on the train the same day as a flight.

Linda,

I spent a couple of nights in Florence after doing a language course elsewhere, and would really recommend it. it is a very interesting and safe place with loads to do whatever her interests.

as the employers are paying, she will be able to afford a nice central hotel and a taxi from the station. the concierge will be able to help her to plan her days - plus a good guide book, of course.

for a first solo visit to Italy, really Florence cannot not be bettered, IMHO.

Florence is under 2 hours by train from Milan. The historic center is very compact and easily walkable. There is a lot of indoor things to see, fun leather shopping and plenty of markets to browse. There is also nightlife which some of the other towns don't have much of.

I do not know if your daughter will want to make day trips from Milan, or to go for three days to another place. You received very good recommendations if she wants to move to another city.
However, if she remains in Milan, she can visit very nice cities like Bergamo, Mantova, Vicenza (by train - is easy, clean, not expensive), or go to Como Lake, or to Laggo Maggiore - to Stresa to see Isola Bella.

I am sure she will enjoy Italy!

Many thanks for all your great suggestions. You Fodorites always amaze me with all the help you give fellow travellers. I am forwarding these suggestions to her.

I also thought that doing day trips from Milan would be a good idea and did wonder about Lake Como and the whole lakes region. Would that still be a good place to visit in November?

Not if it is cold and rainy. If your daughter is doing day trips from Milano, she can look at the weather online before she goes anywhere. If it is raining, Bologna is only 50 minutes away by train.

Thanks for all these suggestions. She is flying into Milan and then they are flying her to Lecce. She then flies to Florence for the last 3 days. I don't know why she is not taking trains, but those are the arrangements. For the 3 days in Florence, she will be on her own and needs to find a place to stay. I will check back on the board but if you have any suggestions, they are greatly appreciated.

She seems to think she can take a train to a town in Tuscany. Is this possible? I have not done much research on Italy--she picked a bad time to ask her mother to help with her travel plans--- but I know that most travellers seem to drive to towns in Tuscany.

She is amazed at all the help she got from Fodors. Looks like she may be following in her mother's Fodor footsteps.

As pointed out out above, it only takes 2 hours to travel by train. It will take 4 hours between the centers of each city by plane and lots a security. We were in Milan last week and had to queue for 25 minutes just to clear baggage security.