We are planning on taking a train from Florence to Varenna on May 3, 2008 and then from Varenna to Venice on May 5, 2008. I'm trying to use the website to find out schedule and cost but it's coming back to me "no solution"

Also we are renting a car in Florence at the airport and driving to our villa in Bucine - any comments on how easy this is?

You can't look at the schedule that far ahead - to find a "estimated" schedule look at some random dates in December, on the same days of the week, to come up with the curent time-tables. Rarely due the time-tables change a whole bunch. Plus there are many options available on any given day so it will show you a guildline to keep in mind.

There are hourly or more trains Florence-Milan where you change for a sideline train route with about hourly service to Varenna - should be about 4 hours all told - no direct trains i would thinnk

Varenna-Milan then hourly or more trains to Venice - about 4 hours - no direct trains i think

Kaycee22,

The correct name of the station in Varenna is actually "Varenna Esino" if that's any help.

Jim