I will be traveling in Italy at the end of September, going from Venice to Florence and then to Rome by rail. Should I book my rail passes before leaving? The trenitalia.it web site seems a bit confusing to me.

You need train tickets, not passes, for these journeys. Trains are frequent on these routes so you'll be able to book tickets when you get to Italy.

thanks GeoffHamer

Hi Steve, almost all Fodorites who do not have an European issued credit card have found they can not buy train tickets online. But as Geoff said, the routes you will be travelling have lots of trains so if you know when you are going to Florence and when you are going to Rome you can just buy all your tickets when you get to Venice. Otherwise you can buy the Florence/Rome ticket when you are in Florence. Have a wonderful time in Italy!

Thank you LoveItaly. I am also looking for information and suggestions on pompei tours? Would you be able to help?

Hello again, Steve. It has been about 15 years or so since I visited Pompeii so no help there but perhaps using the search box here might pull up some good information. If I see any good information (from other websites) I will sure post the information here on your thread. We hired someone in Naples that was through a recommendation from an Italian friend in Italy and he was fabulous but I don't remember his name and I am sure he is now retired anyway. I have often read that one can hire a guide when they arrive at Pompeii but I have always wondered if one would get a great guide or not. Hopefully other Fodorites can assist you too. Best regards.