After visiting Rome, Milan and Venice I intend to take 13:28 hrs IC train from Venice Santa Lucia Station to Munich HBF on May 26th. I can't book for may, as it is to far ahead. But doing a test booking on the identical monday in March and April it shows a regular 1st class ticket price of 146.40 Euro, and a reduced 1st class savings fare of 64.00 Euro(nonrefundable. Are those regular 1st class seats, or the crummiest ones available? I know they are non-refundable, but my hotel is only 10 min from the railway station. So I should not have any problems with the making the departure. I am 70 years (young)perhaps that's why I got the good offer. Anyway I will check every 4 days to see when I can book for May 26.
Any Input would be appreciated.

Magoo57

We traveled in Germany by train last Sept and only bought economy seats. The difference that I saw was. First class was the first 5 train cars, a little bigger seats. 1st class savings fares were in the other cars but the seats were in a 4 seat cubicle like things (2 on one side 2 on the other) with a glass door. economy was like an airplane seat. The price difference was BIG! We paid mostly 29 and one time 59 Euro total for 2 people, 1st class savings fare would have been 109-148 Euro and 1st class was like 209-259 Euros. Our seats were fine and our carrage had bathroom,drinks and snacks counter and a fold down table at the seats.

It means simply nonrefundable.

Seat reservation is independent from your ticket. You may buy a ticket without seat reservation, and you may reserve a seat without buying a ticket. (However, if you buy a reduced fare ticket, you are bound to a certain train, so it makes sense to reserve a seat.)

There are no crummy seat on first class. When making your reservation, you have several options. I prefer central aisle coach (seating like in an airplane) and seats round a table may be nice. But all other seats are also good. The choice is better the earlier you make the reservation.

Thanks Pinchme.. and traveler.., That helps a lot. The reservation is included in both the regular and the reduced saver fare, so I will take the discounted fare.

Just an idea for you since it's such a long train ride. Most of those trains go through Trento or at least there are lots of trains that do to Munich. It might be cheaper and a nice break to take the train to trento (same applies to Verona) and then walk around a bit and then get on the long train to Munich.
Just an idea...

What is it that makes people want to travel first class?

Anywhere? Not just Germany.

I've wondered about this since I was a small child. Why do service providers offer first class (I can understand it in India, SE Asia etc) - but in Europe?

Why?

One has to assume in 2008 that it's for VIPs who have terrifically important work to do on their laptop computers. And of course the company pays.

But for independent people paying for themselves, why? Are they so terrified of mingling with the hoi polloi?

Why?

Got nothing to do with hoi ploi.
Two years ago I traveled 2nd class from Frankfurt to Paris, The only free place for my luggage was 5 rows away from my seat, a lot of local teens were hanging around and talking to their friends. I did not feel comfortable with my laptop and epensive camera equipment that far away from me. In case some one getting on at an intermediate stop, and then leaving the train on the next stop "accidentaly" leaves with the wrong suit case.

The EuroCity from Venice to Munich usually is Trenitalia rolling stock.
I do not want to make an unfounded general statement, but co-workers of mine complained about a certain lack in cleanliness and overall appearance and service quality on these trains to/from Italy.
Maybe someone with more knowledge can correct or confirm that assessment.
1st class does not seem like a really bad idea, if you can get it for €64.