PalenQ

I think it important when talking about train classes to show pictures of BOTH first and second class and not just one or the other - and I have not been to Italy this year - the first time in decades so I may not realize the quicker than I imagined demise of the older ETR trains and I do agree the AV and newer ETR technology trains are much nicer than the older ones and I presume first class is even nicer as well. Again the main difference is having the chance to get both an aisle and a window seat - no one next to you to bother you or you bother them and crowding with first class often having empty seats much more than 2nd class - these things to me are major differences and an objective picture is not some staged photo but a typical one with bags all over, etc. and more room to leisurely stow bags is also crucial - with 25% fewer and really more than that since there are more empty seats in first class it is oourse easier to store your bags - even with the seats being bigger there is obviously more room under them and in front of them. Price is not everything and again 2nd class is comfy enough just that first class is more comfy and relaxed for the above reasons. To be honest if I did not always have a first class Global Eurailpass when taking trains in Italy and had to buy tickets I would buy 2nd class because I travel on a shoestring budget but for folks typically spending $200-300 a night for a hotel and $100 or so for their evening meal, etc I think they should apply the same criteria to train travel as they do to those aspects of travel - you can get hotels a lot cheaper and decent restaurants a lot cheaper, etc. It does indeed boggle my mind why the mantra on Fodors is on trains cheapest is the way to go - IMO there are other factors as well that override for the average tourist on the trip of a lifetime to go in the most relaxed way - but it is a subjective take as to what I see important and others may not.