We'd like to take the train from Munich to Rome this summer. Has anyone taken this route, where do we make reservations, etc?

It's a 10.5 hour ride on a Eurocity Train. I believe it leaves Munich around 9:30 a.m. and arrives in Rome around 20:00. I highly suggest First Class with RESERVED seats. This train gets VERY crowded during the summer. In second class, people are jammed in the corridor (standing) like sardines. First Class is much better.

Get info on http://bahn.hafas.de (note: no "www") or www.raileurope.com - - but just get your tickets at the train station or at any American Express office after you arrive in Europe. You could purchase the tickets from www.raileurope.com - - but at a hefty premium.<BR><BR>Takes 10.5 hrs; day or night-time travel available.<BR><BR>Consider Verona, Venice or Florence for a 1-2 day stop either direction.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

The Michelangelo leaves Munich hbf at 9:30 for Rome via Innsbruck and Bologna.<BR>It is possible to make the trip 30 minutes faster by changing trains in Bologna.<BR>You save the half hour by taking train ES 9443, which is an express train from Milan to Rome and stops only at Bologna and Firenze. <BR>The other train makes a 19 minute stop in Firenze plus two others. I do not know why the long stop in Firenze.<BR><BR>If you are going all the way to Rome, I do suggest first class tickets even though they cost more. The seats are usually in compartments of 6 which gives you a little more seclusion and room to stretch out. If the compartment is not full, you can sprawl out!! <BR><BR>Sunday afternoon trains in Italy are often crowded. I remember a "tangle" in Verona that I was unwittingly caught in.<BR>The people on the train could not get off because the people on the platform were shoving to get onboard. The Italians began shouting terms of endearment to each other and giving each other affectionate swats over the head with rolled up newspapers. I learned that repeatedly thrusting your hand upwards with the fingers pointed skywards and accompanied by a loud spluttering noise made with the tongue indicates deep affection and regard. <BR><BR>Another American and I escaped by going through the window. I went first and he handed me the luggage. Then he jumped out. It worked so well I don't know why more people don't go out that way.<BR><BR>

The long stop in Firenze is to allow the legions of travelers to get off and on the train, hopefully in that order and hopefully without exchanging terms of endearment! Even so, this train is sometimes very late in arrival!