Solo Trip, 1st time to Italy

you're itinerary looks good. If you can fly open jaw it will save you from backtracking. Fly into Venice and out of Rome. I'm not sure of flights from SFO so you will have to check that. Another possible option is fly into Milan and train to Venice and fly out of Rome. You should probably look into flights first and see what your options would be. Flying before the peak summer season will probably save you some money. For hotels check Rick Steves and Tripadvisor for hotels that suite your budget.
if you can add any days I would add them to Florence as it is also a great location for day trips into other tuscan cities and there is so much to see and do in Florence.

Venice during Carnivale: make finding a room a high priority. It's very busy so don't be too particular and don;t wait a moment longer. We liked B&B Ai Tagliapietra, if by chance Lorenzo still has a room available. Try to stay in the centro storico of Rome, i.e., Piazza Navona/Campo dei Fiori/Largo Argentina. It's very convenient and charming. We like to rent apartments when we are in Rome. Try VRBO.com if that appeals to you, or Cross-Pollinate.com.

Sarah, sounds like a great plan. In Italy you'll be able to do all the things you like. I don't know your budget, but I had a very good experience in Florence at Hotel Medici, just a couple of blocks from the Duomo. The star system is different in Italy than it is in the US, but guidebook recommendations take this into account. You might investigate the reviews at a site like booking.com (travelers review after their stay is complete), I've used them for reservations as well. If you give more details on budget, etc., you might get more specific posts.

Sarah, I agree with the others, your Itinerary looks very reasonable. Which RS Guidebooks have you got? Those should provide lots of choices for accommodations and restaurants, as well as lots of sightseeing ideas. Given your reference to Carnivale, it looks like you'll be departing very soon? Have you booked a Hotel in Venice yet??? Have you researched transportation between the three cities? You'll most likely be travelling via EuroStar Italia / Alta Velocita trains, so reservations are compulsory. If you're using P-P tickets, these will be included. You may wish to have a look at This Website for information on the "Mini" tickets, which are discounted. Buon Viaggio!

Try checking Hotel Bernardi in Venice. I just booked there a couple weeks ago for the beginning of Carnivale and they still had rooms open. Will be my first time there but booked off anothers recommendation. Very reasonably priced and close to Piazza San Marco. Some of the rooms have a shared bathroom so be sure to pick what you want.

for Florence look at Residenza Il Villino, fantastic place with the most wonderful family running the place.

We just stayed in Hotel Smeraldo in Rome, just off Campo di Fiori. Very clean, great staff, and excellent location. Not too pricey either. I think that your itinerary looks pretty solid, although you might be a bit heavy on Florence. I just can't get my head around that town, and 3-4 days there would be a bit much for me. I love art, and Florence has some of the best, but the American college town atmosphere, graffiti, and sewage smell just get to me after a few days. I keep going back, trying to love it, but I can't. With that being said, if you book your time there, and feel the same way, Florence is an excellent hub to see the Tuscan countryside via day trips. You should try to see the Italian countryside at least for a day or two while there, as it's a very different experience from the cities.
Have a great trip!

Hi Sarah, If you are traveling by train to Venice around Carnevale, please make sure you check the availability of train tickets in advance. Usually, train tickets aren't an issue but I tried to get a train ticket last year around Carnevale from Parma to Venice and was only able to find a trip as far as Bologna. Good luck!

Florence is all about art, so if that's your interest, 3-4 nights is not too much. Most of Michelangelo's works are in Florence and Rome. The Bargello is my favorite museum (sculpture) in Florence. Venice during Carnival is wonderful. Go for it.