Need train info
 

We will be in Italy the second and third week of April (next month). We've traveled in Italy by car but never by train. We'll be arriving Venice(VCE) and need directions into Venice proper and then to Residence Corte Grimani (near Bacino Orseolo). This was also a suggestion of yours and we're really excited! We also need train help getting from Venice to Ravenna, Ravenna to Florence and then from Florence back to Venice. Hope this isn't asking too much but I would appreciate any help offered. Also do we need to make any of these reservations before we leave home(USA)?

To get to Ravenna from Venice, you will have to change trains in either Bologna or Ferrara. It will cost about 12€ on the R trains changing in Ferrara (don't book R tickets in advance as there are no discounts and no reserved seating). You can take an AV/ES train to Bologna, but you will still have to change to an R train to go onto Ravenna. That will cost about 35€ and take longer.

From Ravenna to Florence, you will change in Bologna (31€). There is a later train that doesn't require a change at 17:42 for 9€.

Enter a date within the next 7 days if you want all trains/prices to show.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Florence back to Venice, you can take the fast AV trains (no changes). You can find some discounts (Mini Fares) for this route. To easier search the faster trains only and discounts, use this Trenitalia link. You must use the Italian spelling of the cities.
http://www.fsitaliane.it/cms/v/index...003f16f90aRCRD

Thanks for your response kybourbon. Can I book all of these tickets in italy? i've been told that you can go into a travel agent there or even purchase the tickets at the train station.

In the Venice train station, there will be ticket kiosks or you can use a travel agent or tabacchi with the Trenitalia logo. Here are screen-by-screen directions on how to use them.
http://www.roninrome.com/%20transpor...ickets-updated

I wouldn't buy any tickets online in advance except for AV/ES trains. I would only buy those if I wanted the Mini Fare discount or if traveling on an Italian holiday where I thought the train might sell out. The base prices don't change/fluctuate, but Mini Fares can sell out.

Tickets for R trains must be validated before boarding (stamp in the yellow machines trackside). Other tickets (AV/ES/IC), that include your seat, don't need to be validated.

Residence Corte Grimani gives specific concise directions on its website for how to reach their location from the airport:

"From Venice Airport, take the fast boat of Alilaguna line and get off at Saint Mark's (app. a 50-minute trip). From here take Calle Vallaresso, at the end turn left and then turn immediately right on Frezzeria, continue straight until you come on Calle Tron on your right. At the end turn left on Fondamenta Orseolo, continue right, go on Goldoni Bridge and turn left. You will have arrived.
Or take the shuttle for Venezia - Piazzale Roma. From here, vaporetto 1 or 2 (Via Canal Grande) and stop at Rialto (15 minutes).
Or take a water taxi which will bring you directly to the hotel (around 30 minutes)."