What to do?
 

I am going over to Italy in May and would like any information on the rail service. I am unsure if I need to buy train tickets before I go over or can purchase them there without any problem. I am going from Rome to Florence then to Venice and back down to Rome. If anyone has any information I would appreciate it. <BR>Also any suggestions for sight seeing I will only have 2 days in each city. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Cindy

I would buy your tickets and make your reservations in italy. The last time we went to italy we bought them in advance, but he fees to buy them in the US are quite high and the fees for reservations are even higher. It could cost about 50% of the ticket price in fees, and many people have told me that there is no reason to buy them before you go. I would just get them a day or two before you want to travel. We are doing this as well, and I will probably buy our tickets for Venice when we arrive at the Florence train station, and then when we arrive in Florence, I will buy tickets for Milan. Good luck, you will love italy and travelling by train is a great way to see the countryside.

You don't need to buy your tickets in advance. You may, if you wish, but you'll spend more. To have an idea on which specific trains suit your needs, refer to the German Railway page <BR>http://bahn.hafas.de//bin/db.s98/query.exe/en <BR>(use roma, firenze and venezia to feed the query page and hit the itinerary key for info on requirements of reservation and supplement fees). <BR>Consider the convenience of catching the night train (with couchettes or sleeping wagon) from Venice to Rome. Once you decided which trains are convenient to you, you may buy all needed tickets in Rome. <BR>For info on fares, refer to <BR>http://www.italyflash.com/italyflash...il/fares.shtml <BR>Paulo

Cindy, <BR> <BR>I've traveled all over Italy bymyself, and you want to wait till you are there to buy the tickets. Try and find a ticket counter that speaks English, but it isn't difficult. I love Florence, it is a relativly small city, and you can walk everywhere. There is wonderful shopping in Florence (famous straw market) and Venice. The Straw Market is 3 blocks from the train station (Santa Maria Novella) and save alot of time. You won't be able to decide what to buy. Don't forget the side streets, there are many interesting shops, filled with artisans.

2 days in Rome....one day to see Vatican City, St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums and the other day to see the Colloseum and Roman Forum. You'll be able to squeeze in the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon in there somewhere. We did. <BR>Take comfortable walking shoes and have fun!

Hi Cindy: I agree on buying your tickets in Italy.The only bit of advice is that IF you're going into Venice on a weekend, I would get reserved seats a day or so in advance. We were there last Fall and that was the only potential problem. The trains are a great way to go.Enjoy your vacation!!...Paul J <BR>

I definitely agree with the above; buy your tickets in Italy. If you get on a fast train (Pendelino- sp?--they run between the major cities), there is also no need to purchase first class tickets. <BR> <BR>We went last fall. Half of our party got 2nd class and we got 1st class (at 50-75% more). 2nd class was a lot cheaper and the only difference we could see is that 1st class had carpeting; 2nd doesn't. Save that money to SPEND. <BR> <BR>