I AM TAKING A TRIP TO ITALY, IN EARLY MAY AND WILL BE TRAVELING FROM ROME TO FLORENCE, THEN FLORENCE TO VENICE AND FINISHING IN ZURICH I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY OF TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THESE CITIES.

Trains are the easiest way.

FIRST OF ALL, UNLOCK YOU CAP KEY AND STOP "SHOUTING" AT US, PLEASE!

If your goal is pretty much visiting the cities, there is no doubt that taking trains will be your best bet. They are effecient, comfortable, and pretty cheap with lots of special bargain fares available.

And while you might be able to get a flight from Venice to Zurich, I'd still opt for the train, through some of the most breathtaking scenery you've ever seen. The quickest and most comfortable is from 7:52 AM to 2:51 PM with a change in Milan to the Cisalpino.

Roy, I'll assume you are somewhat new to posting and the internet; what Patrick is referring to is that typing in all caps is not considered to be polite.

Easy, fellers.
The OP could be partially deaf.

Uncleroy,

Trains are the path of least resistance. Some of the Italian rail is equal to best that the French have (Equal to the best in the world). I think our Venice to Rome train averaged 100+ (very pleasant) MPH.

With you going city center to city center, renting a car would probably be tense and or frustrating.