Hi Folks, I am having trouble narrowing down my 7 night Italy trip with my daughter at the end of August. She's 13 and a lover of wandering, drawing, people-watching, art.

We are flying into Milan, taking the train to Venice and planning to stay there 4 nights. We have 3 more nights in italy after that and then will fly from Milan to Paris with 3 nights there. I am trying to decide what would be the most enjoyable and rewarding way to spend the middle 3 nights. I am considering:

1) just adding it to Venice and doing some daytrips (Verona, Padua)
2) renting a car and driving to Tuscany for a few quiet days in a villa (visiting Siena or San Gimignano, maybe a cooking class)
3) spending some time around Lake Como

if #2, I would love suggestions on where to stay!!
I don't want to add another big city, definitely (will save Florence for another trip!)
Thank you

I'd probably pick Lake Como, just because with only 3 nights the logistics of getting there and then getting to Malpensa are so easy. Two full days anywhere isn't very much time.

I'm with Jean on option 3 if you want something different, or option 1 if you love what you see in Venice. As you know, the area has far more to offer than just Venice even if you never leave the lagoon. It's a magical area.

Option 2 is a non-starter for me. You will spend all your time in transit that it really would be a bit of a waste. It deserves its own 7 days.

Regards, Bruce
Italy Travel Photos -- http://www.brucegcollier.com/galleri...evel2_clr1.htm

More time in Venice would probably be great. Your DD would enjoy drawing there. If you have time, visit Burano. She will love the colors. If she has a watercolor set with her, she might enjoy doing some painting or sketching.

Also, you might reconsider Florence because it really isn't a big city and you said your DD loves art & drawing. The area you would most likely be visiting is actually very small and easily walkable.

On the other hand, it would be cooler in Lake Como, and your DD could do some drawing there.

From three options, I would select option 3 Como lake region.

Or, better, I would go to the 4th option - Lake Maggiore. Isola Bella, Villa Taranto are beautiful. Stay in Stresa and visit them by boat. Stresa is closer to Malpensa airport than Como, and you have the airbus directly to airport from Stresa.