I would DIY but

www.journeywoman.com for female tours

www.affordabletours.com Globus nice for price good value.

go to UK Italy almost anually super easy to hop a

flight to LON bop around there then www.ryanair.com

booked cheaply into Italy in advance for me as little

as 1 pound(15 quid with fees) into Treviso/Venice

Train cheap regional trains around from there

Otel.com Booking.com Betterbidding.com

Best hotel deals for me

www.eurochaepo.com great cities budget guide

www.ricksteves.com another great site.

So grab a Fodors Gold Guide and DIY for best experience for me

Insuremytrip.com always cheap wise...

Have fun,

Besides guidebooks get maps of Europe - both ones that show overall how the countries are arranged, and also for particular cities the street maps for London & Rome. There are good ones online, but I like to have printed/paper ones for planning purposes. Very helpful and practical for putting your ideas together.

Using guidebooks from the library is a great idea to get started! That way if one isn't helpful you aren't stuck with having bought it... Fodor's, Rick Steve, Frommer's, Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, to name a few, each appeals to certain audiences and types of travel. I'd just check out whatever they had and start browsing thru them. Get your daughter involved right away so she can help pick things that interest her.