first time trip to Italy - would like to see Venice, florence and Rome

It's very easy to do this by train. Car would be only big hassle. Easter Monday is holiday in Europe. Museums are usually closed on Mondays but this one will be holiday so they will probably close it following Tuesday. You will get to Florence on Sunday so you can check the schedule of the museums you are interested in.

Woodsdm,

With the limited time that you have in Italy, I think you have a good plan. I would not drive at all. Italy will be very crowded being a Holy Year. I definitely would make train reservations. Since your daughter will be in Italy, I would have her make the reservations. Also, I would make hotel reservations as soon as possible. You should also make reservations for the museums that you will be visiting.

Our daughter did a semester abroad in Florence. It was a great experience for her. I think it made the difference in getting a high school art history teaching position. We decided to meet her in Paris so she could see the art there before returning to the states.

It is very easy to take the train from Florence to Rome ( I did and it was fine). You do not need a car for Florence and Rome at all. And of course no car in Venice. I never took the train from Venice to Florence, but I know it can be done with no problems. Do travel light, take a small suitcase only each as you will be walking from the train stations to the hotels and you will be taking a boat to your hotel in Venice. Even if things are crowded, if you have good weather, each city is amazing to walk around and many of the things to see are outside. I would check the museum websites to see what is open and what is closed. I would also make sure you get the RS book on Italy or on each city. That will give you a ton of information. Make sure you have reservations for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Accademia Gallery in Florence if you want to see The David. You need reservations all year long. Make sure you have a reservation for the Borghese Gallery ( wonderful small museum) in Rome, again it is a timed ticket and you have a 2 hour limit in the museum, enough time to see it. You need to read up on what you want to see to plan your days properly. Since you have limited time in Venice, if the weather is good, I would take a boat ride, and walk the streets as Venice is so unique and beautiful, I would not go to a museum if they are crowded. Venice in itself is just a pure delight to see! Have a great time. I would do a pub crawl in Venice one night. Check the RS book for details on how to book it. It is more about food and a glass of wine. Not a pub crawl like in the UK.

Hi, Mary.

Are you planning to take part in the Florence Easter festivities? I wonder if you can catch an early enough train? Would be great if you could arrange it since you will be in the city on the day of a rather unique event.

http://www.florencewebguide.com/scoppio-del-carro.html

Mary, you could benefit from buying Rick Steves' book on Italy. Those cities are major destinations for first-time travelers to Italy and are covered extensively in his book. He also covers how to do train travel in Italy. It's pretty straightforward once you learn a few things. Don't rely on the internet to try to do all your research (not that you were going to).

Happy travels.

thank you all for your helpful replies! Happy New year!

Hi Mary!
Your plan sounds great to me. Very similar to what I am doing in January. Two nights in Florence, two nights in Venice, four nights in Rome. This is my first trip and I'm going solo. I've pre-booked everything online, including train tickets, and I'm feeling confident that things are going to go smoothly. I am avoiding renting a car like the plague. I have read a lot about fines for driving in the wrong areas, etc...The train system seems safe and reliable.

You do want to consider the holiday in your plans as some things may be closed - limiting what you might be able to do, but that might also be a good time to catch up with family.

Enjoy your trip! I'm sure you're as excited as I am!

-Amy

Last year I did the opposite direction you are planning and used the Italo Train company (Private owned (Ferrari) not government ran). http://www.italotreno.it/?sc_lang=en
We really enjoyed using their train line. Just remember that Venice main station is: Venezia S. Lucia, Florence is: Firenze SMN, and Rome is either Roma Termini (Main station) or Roma Tib. (Tiburtina station). Coming from Florence you can end at either train station, depending on our accommodation location.
We did Prima from Rome Tib. to Florence & Club Exec from Florence to Venice.
Enjoy your trip.