where to?
 

I know that people here HATE such general questions.....but......My daughter will be leaving next year for college, and I would like to do one more trip before she goes. Thinking Italy, but wondering if that is a good choice for Feb or April vacation.
We have been to: London a few times,(she LOVES it there), Germany, Japan, Paris (she did not like), Mexico,many US areas, etc.
Does anyone have any ideas for a mother/daughter trip this winter? Interested in okay weather(does not have to be warm, just not miserable), as well as places that may not be so crowded,even though it will be during US school break.
Given the poor exchange rate, and high European cost, -wondering if there is a more affordable location that I might be missing?
As for what we like to do:daughter: SHOP.
We like to wander around, experience the area and the people and food, see major tourist sites (museums, churches, etc.)
I have driven in Europe (we drove all over Germany) though would probably prefer trains.
We will be traveling from Boston and would be over there for a only about a week (+/- a day or 2).
If anyone has recently traveled with a 17 year old and has a great "bonding, pre college experience" please share!

Why not go to San Francisco? Our high school kids begged us to stay home when we planned a spring break trip there. We said no, dragged them along, and they LOVED it. And no worries about the poor exchange rate!

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestion, but we have been there (and loved it!)
My son is now living in LA, so my daughter and I have have been to CA a few times in the past 2 years- actually, I think that may really be the only area that we have been to recently- so as much as I appreciate the thought, we are definitely looking for more of a trip abroad!
Any ideas?

Buenos Aires

Absolutely you should take your daughter to Italy-one of the most fascinating countries on the planet, bar none, for its amazing antiquities from thousands to hundreds of years ago, in every epoch, and its incomparable and priceless collection of art and artifacts. I'd do the big three: Florence, Venice, Rome. The best way would be to start in Rome, and end in Venice, with Florence in between. Take the red hop on/off bus in Rome for 16 Euro for a 24 hour pass, an EXCELLENT way to see Rome, particularly when the weather is warmer, at the top of the double decker bus, you can see some glorious sights not seen in a car or even a regular bus. Also available is the Archeobus, which will take you out the Appian Way and to the catacombs, for a fascinating day in underground Rome, if you are interested. I'd make reservations for the Vatican's Scavi tour-which is a must-see tour in Rome-it is astounding.

Florence, a university town, with one of the most beautiful Duomos in the world, Santa Maria in Fiore, its astounding collection of art which is all around you, inside and outside, and its walkability-you can walk from one end of the city to the other in around 20 minutes, just as you could do almost 1,000 years ago. I'm sure it will appeal to you and your daughter greatly-this is the place to study Italian, as Dante, the father of the Italian language, was from the city and wrote some of his greatest works here. Very good shopping in Florence for all kinds of goods, gold jewelry, leather purses, shoes, etc. And then finally, end with Venice, walking the narrow calles, visiting the Palazzo Ducale, Rialto Bridge, and the Basilica, then taking taking the water buses up and down the Grand Canal to see all the magnificent palazzos, particularly when they are lit up at night. After you see these three cities, you'll not be the same-Italy's greatest has a profound effect upon people all over the world, not to mention all of the greatest poets, writers, artists and musicians who have always come to Italy from other countries through the centuries for inspiration.

I'd go in April-yes the crowds are there, but now, in Italy, the crowds are pretty much there the whole year-very little low season these days, however, there are not quite so many in April as there will be in the May-July time period, and the springtime will be a great time to sit out in the cafes and people watch in the piazzas as well.

Seems that your daugher has not seen southern Europe yet.

Italy would be a good choice then, but maybe Spain an even better choice, especially since Spain is much cheaper than Italy.

The weather in Andalucia will be nice - not hot, like in summer, but spring-like. Especially for February, I would recommend Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Carmona, Jerez. You may also visit Madrid and Toledo, but there it will be much cooler.

Barcelona and the Costa Brava might also be okay in terms of weather, especially in April.

I agree with Girlspytravel's suggestion of Italy, but you might consider spending the whole week in one place. My recommendation is Rome (which just happens to be my favorite European city). You could either rent a small apartment or find a cozy hotel in a quiet neighborhood and really get the sense of living in the city - an unforgettable experience for a mother and daughter to share!

There is so much to see and do in Rome, you could easily fill a week. I went most recently with my mom in June for 4 days and we stayed at Residenza Canali, just steps away from Piazza Navona, which was a fabulous location for all of the major sights. A week would give you time to see the "big" sights plus explore some of the less-visited neighborhoods like Trastevere and the Ghetto. And your daughter could certainly get her fill of shopping!

You might encounter rain in February or April anywhere in Europe, but at least in Rome it would be unlikely to be unbearably cold. I've been there twice in December and was surprised at how warm it was.

Hi,
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions.
I had thought about both, trying to see the "big three" and just staying in one place- hard decision!I wish we had more time- but we are limited by school vacation dates. I want to experience as much as we can- as not sure if we will get back there together again. We are both fairly high energy- but I realize that a lot of time can be wasted traveling between hotels.
My son traveled to Italy a few years ago, while doing a semester abroad in London, and he raved over Cinque Terre. Not sure what we would have to give up to add that to the list.

Curious on just HOW much less expensive Spain would be? Significant ?

Our daughter studied in Italy and loved it there. I met her for a mother/daughter trip for two weeks around Italy, and it was lovely. It isn't cheap, though. But if you book reasonably priced lodging, it's certainly affordable for most travelers.

Or, what about Greece? Our daughter went there for her spring break, which was slightly in advance of the main tourist season in Greece. She and her girlfriends were treated like princesses, and they were impressed with the warmth and hospitality of the Greeks. The food was amazing and very inexpensive, much less expensive than Italy. They loved it there, and I'm dying to go there next.
:)>-

Greece has certainly crossed my mind as a possible place to go- though when I think Greece, I think multiple islands- which does not sound enticing for the winter months.
Please correct me if I am wrong....

Maureen b- do you have any sort of report on your Italy trip? Hotels, itinerary, etc.?
Your experiences would be very helpful.
Thanks!

I have been able to take each of my 3 kids on one-on-one trips each in turn. Their favorite places were Italy, especially Venice (probably the unanimous choice as the most "fun" place), UK, and the Azores. They also liked Spain, particularly Toledo and Seville. One son liked a car tour of the Benelux area a lot. Paris? Not so much. DW liked Italy so much that she took Italian as her language and spent a semester in Siena.

also- I am ignorant about Buenos Aires.
Why do you suggest there?

girlspytravel - you really made me want to return to Florence! I vote for Italy if you can swing it.

Yes, I wrote relatively detailed reports and posted them. I wasn't on a particularly tight budget, but I did book hotels around 200Eur or less for a twin. They were all well-located, smallish and charming, extremely clean.

Rome
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34813272

Florence
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34813784

Venice
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34814606

Santa Margherita Ligure/Cinque Terre/Portofino
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34817303

Nice/Antibes/St. Jean Cap Ferrat
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34810691
:)>-

MaureenB- Wow- thank you!

Cpeicott, you are very welcome. Be sure to post specific questions on each area, as you develop your itinerary.

I treasure the memories of my trip with my daughter. It was really special time with her (and w/o the boys in the family). You will be glad you did it, too. Have fun planning.
:)>-

Last summer we went to Italy with kids (boy 17 and girl 14); Rome, Florence & Venice.

The kids loved Italy.

If you only have one week I would go to Rome & Venice and skip Florence(there is no place in the world like Venice). Shopping on the Rialto Bridge was great (Murano glass necklaces, etc.).

It is incredible to see things in person that you have seen photos of for years, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, etc.

Any thoughts other thoughts about Feb versus April?
Thinking cost/versus crowds/versus weather?
I imagine that either month is less crowded than if we waited until the summer (another possibility), but we do not want to be miserable, either.
Nor do I want to miss any special aspect by going in the winter- such as enjoying the ocean, etc. (Still thinking about trying to see Cirque Terre....)How about Venice in the winter months? Chilly and uninviting, or very less crowded and very cool?
Still trying to formulate my plans here- so any thoughts/advice are appreciated!

Have you researched the weather stats for Feb vs. April? I'd guess that April might be better weather, but that could be totally wrong.

We were there in early May, and it was beautiful. The flowers were in full bloom on the Spanish Steps, for instance.

I think February might be dreary. When our daughter studied in Florence that winter semester, she said a lot of the shops weren't even open until Easter. A lot of the metal gates were closed in the winter months, so she said it was a whole different town when spring came.

And if it's wet in February, you wouldn't enjoy the Cinque Terre. Those trails could be dangerous if slippery wet.
:)>-