It seems like in the past week or so I read on this forum about going to a travel agent in Rome to buy train tickets. Anybody remember this or have info? <BR> <BR>I would like to have advance reservations for Florence to Monterosso (via Pisa and La Spezia) and from Monterosso to Zurich (via Milan). The various web sites for train info and reservations don't show Monterosso. <BR> <BR>Help! This is my first trip to Italy, and my comfort factor would be greatly increased if I had this train issue resolved BEFORE I leave!

From Florence to Monterosso it doesn't make any sense at all buying tickets in advance. Most options involve trains that are "non reservable". You'll have to change trains in Pisa and/or in La Spezia. For schedules insert Firenze and Monterosso in the approprate boxes of <BR>http://www.fs-on-line.com/home/en/index.html <BR> <BR>From Monterosso to Zurich there's a direct IC train leaving at 10:51am and arriving at 6:53pm. Another option is to leave Monterosso at 7:01am and switching trains in Milan, arriving at These are "reservable" but may go about getting tickets/reservations in person once you're in Italy (either directly in the train station or through a travel office as American Express or CIT). <BR> <BR>Paulo

Oops, 2nd train above arrives in Zurich at 2:53pm. <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>PS. for other options insert Monterosso and Zurich in the appropriate boxes of <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de//bin/db.s98/query.exe/en

Paulo - <BR> <BR>Thanks for your replies. I have checked out the bahn.hafas site. It appears that I can buy tickets online thru them. Would this be advisable? Can I just go to the American Express office in Atlanta and make reservations/buy tickets?

I'll bet that you won't be able to get train tickets through Amex in the U.S. The German Rail won't sell you the tickets either. In the US I would guess that only Rail Europe (at a premium price) would work. But ... why bother? Unless you're travelling during Easter week there's no more than one chance in a thousand that you won't get the tickets you want. Just go about it when you arrive in Rome or Florence. Of course, if you don't mind being ripped off by Rail Europe, go ahead and buy your peace of mind <BR> <BR>Paulo