I have the following itinerary:

1. Arrive Rome airport and will be staying at the River Palace hotel (near Flaminio train station).

2. Leave Rome via Eurostar to Florence and will be staying at Hotel Pierre.

3. Leave Florence via Eurostar to Venice and will be staying at Hotel Saturnia (near San Marco).

4. Leaving Hotel Saturnia and have a flight out of Venice airport at 6:20am.

Question #1 - Should I take a taxi in Rome and Florence to/from hotels to train stations or if it is feasible to take the trains? I will be dragging a 30" rolling duffle and carryon with me.

Question #2 - Is Hotel Saturnia within walking distance from the San Marco stop?

Question #3 - when I leave Hotel Saturnia in Venice, is it worth it to take the water taxi? I understand it is much, much more expensive than the vaporetto bus.

This is my first trip to Europe, so I am a complete newbie, please help Thanks!!

Definitely take taxis to your hotels in Rome and in Florence. But make sure to take an authorized cab. In Rome, there is a line in front of the station where people wait for cabs. I'm afraid I don't remember how it is in Florence.

In Venice, I think you can walk from the Vallaresso vaporetto stop to the Saturnia. It isn't far, and you do not have to cross any bridges.

Most people say that the Venice airport doesn't really open before 5:30 or so. There is night vaporetto service, so you could take a vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and the bus from there to the airport. Make sure to ascertain that it can, indeed, be done, although the Saturnia concierge will probably suggest that you take a water taxi (about 100 Euro).

I'm assuming from the general phrasing of your post that saving every possible penny is not the ultimate goal.

I would agree about the taxis for convenience and ease, with one exception.

Unless someone can tell me that a taxi from Rome airport to the hotel in Rome would be considerably less than 35 euro, I'd strongly suggest you have a service meet you with private car at the airport and take you to your hotel. It would be comforting on your jet-lag arrival to see your name on a sign as you leave customs and have the personal attention of someone to take you right to your hotel. I'd book via this site:
www.romeshuttlelimousine.com

Also at that hour of the morning if you feel you can splurge it, I think the arranged water taxi to the airport is also a good thing. Incidentally, I understand many hotels may arrange for you to share with someone else flying out at that hour. It's worth a check with the concierge.

Eloise - thanks for the tips!

Neopolitan - have you used that website's service before? I am just a little apprehensive to book it ?

Thanks!

I agree that a water taxi to the airport in Venice at that time of the morning is the best option, if it is affordable for you. That is what we have always done and are thankful as we pass the slow water bus where we know the passengers had to rise much earlier than we did.

Venezzia,

A poster whom I consider to be a reliable source gave the information about romeshuttlelimousine.

On the basis of her information, I have booked with them for a friend, from Fiumicino to downtown Rome and then back to Fiumicino. I received e-mail replies within 24 hours to my questions, and the price of 35 Euros was confirmed for both trips. My friend only returns on May 11. I leave somewhat later and only return on May 29. I haven't yet booked romeshuttlelimousine for myself, but I plan to.

Statia - yes it sounds convenient to use the water taxi. The only thing I need to consider is the price - kind of steep for 1 traveler; but maybe I can find someone to share the ride to the airport with me.

Eloise - ok, I have heard mixed things about the company after reading a forum in tripadvisor.com but I guess that's to be expected with all companies. I will book with them and cross my fingers Thanks!

I hate to ask this - but is there some reason for a 30" rolling duffle?

The only thing I can imagine that would be harder to deal with is an old-fashioned steamer trunk (you know like they took on boats in the 30's - when you traveled with 10 matched pieces of luggage, a jewelry case, maid and portadog.)

Venezzia, I have not booked romeshuttlelimousine before, but have emailed them, been given a quote, and will be booking them for our arrival in June. I'm doing so on the recommendation of numerous posters here. Why are you apprehensive? I have learned from years of traveling in Italy that things are a lot more trusting and honest there. I've rented apartments for a week with no deposit and no credit card guarantee. In fact I'm doing another of those this summer. I have absoulutely no qualms about booking rome shuttle.

Just to throw another option into the mix...as if you need one...I used Rome Cabs from FCO into the city and back a few weeks ago. I also used them for a day tour into the country, as well as a tour in the city and a night tour due to my mother's mobility issues.

Stefano was so wonderful, prompt, courteous, friendly and professional. he not only drove us into the city, but gave us a mini-tour on the way. He also gave us his cell phone number before our arrival and gave me a place at FCO where I could meet my mom and sister.

If you are interested, here is his link

http://www.utenti.lycos.it/romecabs/

nytraveler - I'm bringing a 30" duffle because I want to have room to bring things back from Italy. I am not bringing much, just basic stuff, so at least half of it will be empty until I start shopping! Since I'm going by myself, I don't want to lug around more than 1 bag. Believe me, I would love to just bring a 22" carryon, but then I wouldn't be able to bring anything back!

Neopolitan - I did book the reservation with the rome shuttle service and am waiting for an email confirmation.