Hey, @KatieLMcBroom , welcome in Connect for the first time as a Local Guide ?
I think it is not necessary to introduce the Community to you. LOL
Seriously, I am so happy to see you here and I am super happy that you will come to Italy soon.
Great choice, three of the richest Italian cities in history, art and culture, I hope you will have at least a month to start visiting them, and start wishing to come back again.
Regarding Florence my experience is limited to the most known places, as I spent most of my time in Tuscany in small villages, but @plavarda wrote recently some interesting post, like Florence: a little known treasure… , and @LuigiZ lives in Lucca, not so far from Florence.
I agree with @Chuytorres-alc about Rome. I Lived in there for 6 years, looong time ago, but I don’t have an updated situation.
But of course I can give you a lot of tips about Venice. I wrote a lot of post about the old lady, that will celebrate her birthday number 1601 on March 25th (Happy birthday Venezia ).
When will you arrive in Venice? This year Venice Carnival will end on March 1st, so the city will probably be a bit crowded at the end of February although, due to the pandemic, some of the traditional events will not be celebrated. However, you will find many street performances, and many exhibitions and shows in historical places, these by reservation.
In the city you can also rent classic costumes of the Venetian carnival, and the masked characters you will meet on the street are fascinating.
If you have no idea about the Venetian Carnival, this post is for you
Walking in Venice means to cross a lot of bridges. So why not to try my tour: Su e zo pai ponti - Up and down on the Venetian Bridges ? In the post you can also find a list and a map made in my maps. Open it on your mobile, and it will be available for you in Google Maps. Following the suggested path, you will also explore one part of the city that is normally not visited by the tourists, and you will pass in front of a lot of Bacari, the classic Venetian taverns where you can taste excellent cicchetti (small dishes of food) and great wine at an affordable price.
Well, of course there are places where you must go, like the Basilica of Saint Mark and the Doge’s Palace. Booking online is recommended, you will save a long queue.
Another visit that I want to suggest you is the one to Burano Island. I wrote a post about that: Burano and the Venetian Lagoon - Inside a Crayon Box . If you add also Murano, where they produce the famous Murano Glass, it will take the whole day, but it will be an unforgettable day.
Again, it depends on how much time you have, because there is a lot more to visit. @AntonellaGr wrote an interesting post about Venezia hidden places
Food: First of all be careful with the restaurant along the touristic path. They are normally expensive and the quality of the food is not so good. My personal suggestion, apart of the already mentioned Bacari that you can find everywhere just moving a few steps away from the main road, there is a restaurant that I really like, not so far from Rialto Bridge: Al Gobbo di Rialto . The place is also saved in two of my lists: Up and down on the Venetian bridges and Venice and its Lagoon - Art an Nature
Another one that I like is Osteria Bakan . Outside of the touristic area, a really nice place. Here you can see my dinner with a Local Guide from India, @vvbellur .
Again, it depends of what you want to see and how much time you have. Just let me know, and I will add more details.
Oh, before I forget: don’t forget to try the Venetian “frittelle”. Where? Pasticceria Tonolo, of course
At the end, as you mentioned @DeniGu , I know she will be interested in this post too. I bet she’s quite busy in these days but, who knows?
, que tenia que hacer grandes filas o no alcanzar a entrar.
) .
. I’m sure you will have a great trip visiting great locations and having so much good food!
Have a wonderful time in Italy, and don’t be shy to share later what you did and saw. 