re: Initial Stages of Planning my Italy Trip

If you go in the summer, remember that Europe doesn't use AC like we do in the states. Some places still don't have it at all, and there's many places that only use it a limited amount. It's not like the states.

Venice at the beginning of your trip for 3 nights is right. You land and only have half a day, then you have two full days before leaving early the 3rd day most likely. IMO that's right, you have the time to do everything and relax a little. If you only stay 2 nights at the beginning of your trip first time to Europe you are pushing your self and going to miss a lot there. Just realize Venice is like being in a different country, I always tell people to enjoy the best of Venice when there and not worry about it being in Italy. Enjoy Italy for Italy when you leave Venice. What I mean by that is something like a gelato may be 5 euros in Venice and 1 euro elsewhere.