Going to Italy in march and planning to take the train between Rome and Florence, Florence and Venice. Now the question -- What is the big distinction between 1st and 2nd class? I am traveling with my mother and don't want anything too dirty, etc. Also, do you have to get a reservation for the train or is it possible most times to get on and get a seat at that time of year without one? Thanks.<BR><BR>

Here are the big distinctions:<BR><BR>1. Less crowded in first class<BR>2. Fewer seats in first class per rail car<BR>3. More hip room in first class<BR>4. Slightly more leg room in first class<BR>5. More expensive in first class by 30% to 50%.<BR>6. Somewhat more room for luggage in first class<BR><BR>Most trains between Rome and Florence are Eurostars with advance seat assignments. You can obtain same day seat reservations at the Rome Termini Train Station, at the dedicated ticket windows for same day sales. If you have reserved seats, you can safely travel in second class on Eurostar trains. Trains between Florence and Venice are both Eurostars and Intercity trains. I recommend seat reservations for either. Do not risk going on the Intercity train in second class without seat reservations. This is particularly true during the summer and other peak travel periods (Easter, weekends, etc.) If either of you are concerned about people scrambling to be seated on the train (i.e. pushing and shoving), first class might be a better choice.

The distinction is primarily roomier plusher seats. I think that first class is nicer, but I would never hesitate to travel in second class. You'll see families, businessmen in suits, and the jeans'n'sandals crowd in both.<BR><BR>For the Eurostar (which is not the ONLY way to connect between these two cities, just the best), you do need a reservation - - BUT (and this part is hard for Americans to understand) - - only if you insist in getting a seat. You can always travel, if there are no seats (reserved) left to sell to you. And there are a considerable number of seats that are open, and you never know why no one is sitting in them (no shows - - or maybe that seat WILL be taken for Florence to Bologna, just not for Rome to Florence). They won't sell you the reservation for that seat if someone already bought it for some portion of the route. But then some other seat might be unoccupied on a different portion. I don't know. I always do get a seat reservation, though sometimes I sit elsewhere (like non-smoking, even though all I could reserve is smoking).<BR><BR>So, I think that you can get your tickets (and seat reservations) just before you are ready to travel (or 24 hours before, if that makes you feel better) - - especially in March.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

If you have more than one piece of luggage each, reserve a seat. Otherwise, you may get bumped around the car (or the train) as people get on and take their reserved seats (the ones you're in). You can wind up feeling like a pinball (and very far away from your luggage).<BR><BR>Go first class -- it's just more comfortable and tends to have more room for luggage. <BR><BR><BR>

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