travel italy with 14 year daughter
 

We will be landing in Milan, Italy for 15 days last two weeks of June and want to see everything! Want to use the train for transportation and go as far south as Naples area. Will consider flying back to Milan to save time. Not into the wine scene this time. Also, thinking about using hostals? Anyone have an itinerary for us?

I have 2 thoughts for you. First, do not even try to see it all--it takes at least 6 weeks to see Italy. And, why not fly home from Rome--it is called open jaw and will save you time. I would pick 5 primary destinations in that time. Good luck !

I/m already using my open jaw by going from Milan to Bacalona then home.We're stopping in Spain for a language study for 2 1/2 weeks.

Hi ib,

This sounds like an excellent library research project for your daughter.

((I))

Bob and Ira are correct.

Why don't you and your daughter seperatly research what you wish to see, and then get together and design a trip that closely matches both of your wants.

Do not try to see everything. If you try to see everything, you will a lot, but not really see anything and come back exausted. Take your time, relaxe, and enjoy yourself.

To speed thing up, consider making reservations at all sights that take them. This will keep you from wasting time by standing in line.

There is no reason that an open jaw flight has to be limited to two flights. Personly, I would fly into Milan (or other town). Fly from Rome to Bacalona. Bacalona home.

You will never see it all in 15 days but do try to see Venice - its like everything you have ever seen in the movies and more. Try to see Rome (stunning) but beware of beggars as they will try to pickpocket you. If you get fed up with cities have a break out at Lake Garda and your 14 year old daughter might appreciate a diversion of Garda World (like a Disneyworld)which is on the lake as teenagers do get bored doing the 'sights'. Get a train to Verona (Romeo and Juliet) and then the bus out to Lake Garda (buses are on time, cheap and very clean). There is superb scenery with medieval castles at the Northern end of the lake and a state of the art cable car that revolves 360 degrees at Malcesine. Its nice in Italy to have a break away from the cities as they are a bit frantic and will be very hot when you go. Have a wonderful time!

I agree with everyone else, you will not be able to see it all in 15 days. Do some research and pick the 3-4 places you really want to see. Personally, I would suggest just doing the obvious "big 3" Rome, Venice and Florence as you will not be bored. Perhaps adding a day or two to the Amalfi Coast.

We travelled to Italy last March for 14 days with our two kids (age 9 and 12) at the time. We just did Rome, Venice and Florence with a daytrip to Siena. You may find it helpful to read through. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34599242.

You can't see it all in 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years. I think your remark was made tongue-in-cheek, anyway. But I will comment on what I believe is somewhat misleading information from JSLee about open-jaw flights. Obviously, you can fly into and out of any airport and as many times as you wish, as long as you are prepared to pay for the privilege. But if you have a frequent-flyer award program and you want an open-jaw on that kind of itinerary without paying more for other flights, you will have to be more careful about your itinerary. Good luck.

Ibruns01 - My wife, kids (17 year old daughter and 15 and 11 year old sons), and I spent two weeks in Italy in June. We included stops in the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and Rome. My (long) trip report at:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34645606 may give you some thoughts on what to do with your teenage daughter.