Rome, Florence, and Venice in eight days - doable?

We visited Florence for one day and it was not nearly enough. We were in Venice last fall for 3 nights, 2 full days, and wished we had at least one more day. And on that same trip we were in Rome for 6 full days. Taking the train was perfect, it stopped in Florence on the way from Venice to Rome so that part of your trip is perfect. But 8 days for all 3 is just not enough, ideally. If necessary and it's all you can do, I'd do 2 full days in Florence, 2 full days in Venice, and the rest in Rome.

RS has a trip for those destinations that covers 10 days.

Perhaps look at that itinerary and see what you can cut out and still be happy with your trip.

Agree. Especially because the first day is a blur from the jet lag. Unless you can sleep on the transatlantic flight.

You may also want to check to see when carnivale is--it might help you decide whether or not to go to Venice.

Hello Matt.
If your 8 days does not include travel time and you promise yourself to return to these cities some day it can be done.
2 days Venice
3 days Florence
3 days Rome
You may not want to leave Venice after two days. 3 days in Florence is good but 3 days in Rome might not be enough.
Go and enjoy and vow to go back again and again.
Ciao Joe

Is that 8 full days on the ground in Italy (8 nights in Italy)? Or is that 8 days including your transatlantic flights?

Assuming it's 8 nights in Italy, you could do it. But it would mean missing a lot in each city. Venice and Florence each deserve at least 3nights, while Rome (like all great cities) can never have too much time devoted to it. You would need 2 half days between cities. So it would likely end up:
Venice 2 nights. train to Florence morning of day 3
Florence 3 nights (2 1/2 days). Train to Rome morning of day 6
Rome for 3 nights ( 2 1/2 days). Fly home morning of day 9

If it's only 8 days including flying time, then no. You don't have time for all 3. Either do Venice and Florence, or just do Rome.

Ash Wednesday is 2-14-18

Are you flying into one city and out of another? Or are you flying in and out of Rome? If you are flying into and out of one city, I (and others!) strongly recommend taking a train the morning of your arrival to your farthest destination (ie: Venice) that same day, as your arrival day will likely just be in a fog, anyway. Then, work your way back and conclude your trip with your three days in Rome. That will give your fewer moves. Also, if you can pack quickly and move quickly, and don't mind knowing that you are going to miss some great places, then, yes, I agree that 2 nights/3 nights/3 nights could be done. Be aware of how much less daylight there will be at that latitude in February. It's not much, so you'll need to be willing to do some of your sightseeing, etc., in darker hours. And... Italians don't heat homes and restaurants as energetically as many North Americans do. Take some extra layers for sitting at sidewalk cafes in 50 degrees. I've gone to Italy for a week in February (we call it Mardi Gras week vacation in New Orleans) and yes, it's still wonderful Italy, colder, darker, and maybe more rushed than I would prefer .... but it's still wonderful Italy!!

I think so, we had 3 nights in Venice. 1 in Florence, and just 10 hours in Rome in early April of 2016. Everything depends on how much you want to see, how deep you want to dig into it, and how mobile you are. Was it ideal? Nah, I'd like to go back to Florence for sure for another day or two, Rome perhaps for another day tops but we saw all the major sights (missed the Spanish steps) to the degree which mattered to us including Vatican City, and walking up the bazillion stairs through the Dome. Rome is very walkable IMO, no doubt we rushed but if I had 8 days I would feel like those 3 cities are manageable.

Bottom line, everyone is different. Those cities are all connected by the fast trains, travel time between won't limit your sightseeing. It will be chilly in Venice that time of year!