I can travel 3/20-3/30. I would like to see Florence, Rome and Venice. I will either fly into Rome and out of Venice or the opp.
I am a bit concerned about the weather...rain is my biggest fear. Any opinions on a March trip? Also, how many days in each location?
Can I easily take the train from Venice to Florence and then Florence to Rome
Many thanks.

Hi ducks53,

Just to let you know, some of my favorite days in Italy were rainy days.

If March is when you can travel, I would go.

We just returned from Florence & Venice, you may click on my name if you want to read the trip report. Don't let the weather stop you! Just dress appropriately and enjoy.

Safe journey, Tiff

Yes you can easily take the train to those cities. Although not everyone will agree with me, I think that traveling in the off-season is the way to go; yes, you may have rain for a day or two in Venice or Florence. What you will not have are the long lines and tourist hordes of the summer months. For the past 5 years we have taken a week in January to visit Italy or Spain and it has been wonderful. Total rain days in five year's worth of January weeks: one and a half (in Florence last month). I say go for it and enjoy!

March weather can vary quite a bit. Bring layers and bring an umbrella. We were there in Macrh '01. It was damp and cool in Venice (50s during day, with some light rain, but Venice is still charming in the rain), but hot and sunny in Rome (80s).

Assuming that date range includes the travel days, that leave 9 nights. I nthat case I'd say 4 Rome, 2 Florence, 3 Venice. If you are a bug art museum and art history fan, add a night to Florence and take a day from Rome or Venice.

That should read "a big art museum " not "a bug art museum"

We did Rome, Tuscany and Cinque Terre in late March, and the weather was fine. It was basically in the low 70's on the ocean, a little cooler in the hills. In CT, it threatened rain a few times, but passed over. We did hit one freaky ice storm while driving thru the Tuscan hills, but then the sun broke thru, and it was beautful.

Very doable. I leave March 11-19. I am flying into Venice for 3 nights, then 2 nights in Florence, and finally 3 nights in Rome (flying out from there). Should be a little less than 3 hour train ride from Venice to florence and slightly less between Florence and Rome.

Just another yes, do go in March. Airfare is less, no lines, and still lots of fun. By choosing the Big Three, you leave yourself lots of opportunities for indoor fun. So many stores, museums, churches, museums, palaces, cafes, and restaurants.

March is a great time to go and, if you have a choice, fly south and move north to slightly boost your chances of nice weather, since that the way spring moves -- from south to north.

That said, there is just no predicting the weather anywhere. Following my plan you could end up with solid rain for 10 days, and doing it the opposite way runs the same risk.

But I would still pick March over July for trips to Venice, Rome and Florence!

I'm doing a similar thing (3 nights in each Rome, Florence, and Venice) starting the 25th, so hopefully the weather will stay nice (looking at the historical trends, it should be fairly mild, but be flexible).