Teenagers to Venice

[LIttleMissTickles]

We are going on holiday to Tuscany as a family. Our two teenage girls (17 and 14) would like to go to Venice by themselves by train from Florence, and stay for one night. We have no idea where they can stay as they were hoping for the youth hostel, but apparently they need an over 18 yr old with them. Any ideas?
I'm hoping to gather some information, as well as just check whether we are crazy to even contemplate this, but not braves enough for AIBU.

They're underage, so its not a good idea to let them go on their own. Maybe a day visit at most.

Yes guess times have changed. They are very sensible girls, and I had travelled by myself by age 16, and happy that they have the sense of adventure to want to try. The older one wants to 'practice' for her gap year next year.

Times might have changed but that doesn't mean it's right to stop them doing things when you decide they are capable.

A night in Venice would be awesome for them. Have they looked at Airbnb on Venice itself. Enjoy.

Aren’t there any hostels they like the look of?

The hostels are strict on their age policy in Italy. My dc (17) and friend (18) went travelling around Italy after sixth form a few years ago.

The very first hostel in Milan rang me and insisted I fill in a form to say he was allowed to stay. This was even with his 18 year old friend being with him. Poor dc was slightly worried as this all happened late evening.

Perhaps a day trip would be easiest for now.

FinallyHere, yes that's what I thought, give the opportunity, minimise the risks as far as possible. They both have casual jobs and are planning on paying their own way. We would happily go the airbnb route, but the airbnb regulations state that you have to be 18 to stay, unless accompanied by an adult.

I agree a day trip is best! You can book the train ahead as this will save you money. You will have to select times though that they will have to stick too - check out Trenitalia

Goodness, I had no idea

I stayed a single night in a hotel on my own , on the way to and from school, for flight connections from about the age of fourteen.

Very sorry to learn that others do not have the same opportunities.

:-) sounds like you might have been an ex pat brat as well! I did similar & would agree about teaching you responsibility & independence from a relatively young age (but as an adult in 2020 would have a definite ? about safeguarding and what I was allowed to do!).

Sorry OP - off point! Sounds like your DC with their jobs and actively wanting to explore a city on their own have been brought up right! Great when your DC have a spirit of adventure, so many don’t!

Good news is that they sent off some emails and surprisingly found several places (air Bnb and hotels) willing to halve them stay, with a few conditions eg need copies of parents' passports and letter of permission from parents. And they've booked an Air Bnb very centrally located. I have two very excited girls - now let's just hope Corona virus fades away!