Train Confusion- Italy- please help!
 

I am traveling to Italy this summer and am under 26 and therefore qualify for a youth railpass. I was looking on the Raileurope website and it seems that there is a ticket fee (first class or second class) and then an additional fee for a seat reservation. IS this true? how does it work? would it make more sense for me to purchase individual tickets for each destination or a railpass? Here are the trips I will need- each trip is on a separate day unless specified otherwise:

Venice to FLorence (1 day)
Florence to Siena (round trip) (1 day)
Florence to Pisa and then Pisa to La Spezia and then to Cinque Terre (all in the same day)
Cinque Terre to Rome (1 day)

I appreciate your help! THank you!!!

Just go for individual tickets. Venice to Florence (second class) costs 26,60 on a Eurostar (seat reservations is included) and 18,75 + 3 on an Intercity (the 3 euro are the facultative seat reservation, you don't have to buy int, but in this case you may end up travelling standing in the corridor). Siena is easier to reach by bus, so the railway pass is not useful for it. Florence to Cinque terre (Monterosso al mare) can cost from 7,90 to 13,67 depending on the solution (different train cathegories and itinearary solutions: via Pisa or via Viareggio). Monterosso al Mare to Rome will cost you between 28,81 + 3,00 (for seat booking) and 32,22 euro depending on the train cathegory (Intercity or Eurostar).
As a general guide, train cathegories in Italy are:
Eurostar (ES): the fastest and plushiest, but also the most costly, they only connect the main cities, seat reservation is mandatory but free, no tickets will be issued if there are no seats available, so better to book a couple of days in advance.
Intercity (IC, EC, ICN, ECN): usually cheaper, but also less comfortable and slower, they conects all the main cities and towns, seat reservation is available and advisable, but not mandatory, costs 3 euro and can be requested up to three hours prior the train departure from its point of origin, in case there are no seats you will be issued the ticket but no reservation, you can still take the train, but you will be able to seat only if you can find an empty place (usually only for part of the trip), night Intercity (ICN and ECN) are equipped with sleeping berths available only for reserved travellers.
Espresso (E, EN): slow long distance trains, far cheaper than Intercity and Eurostars, but very slow. Mainly they travel at night (EN), seat reservations is available but not required and costs 3 euro (subject to the same rules as Intercity reservation), often equipped with sleeping berths available only for reserved travellers.
Interregionale, Regionale and Diretto (Ir, R, D): slow and cheap short distance trains, they stop at every village or almost at every village, no booking available, usually there is no first class on these trains.

One last thought: only one day in Florence is not enough: drop either Cinque terre or Siena.

Alice is 100 % correct on everything. Listen to her. If you want a back up, go to www.ricksteves.com On his website he tells you not to get a railpass for those types of short trips. Also, I recommend buying your ticket in Italy because Rail Europe is rediculously expensive. Buy the tickets a day or more ahead of time if you can.

Many Interregionale trains (IR) do have first class, although there is not much difference from second class, and the additional cost is usually not justifiable. Some of these trains have very modern rail cars, others have old and very worn cars. There is no air conditioning and they are noisier than IC and ES trains. Seat reservations are not possible on these local trains. Local trains are often perfectly good on short trips (e.g. Verona to Trento, Verona to Vicenza), since they cost much less than an IC and take just a few minutes longer.

Quick question:

Is the EN the "EuroNight" train? Is this covered by the Selectpass? THANKS!