Train/Luggage question and authentic eateries in Florence and Milan

Your duffel is on the larger size, but it's soft sided, and can be "squished" into places. On the fast trains there are usually triangular spaces between seats, you can put your bag there. There is a chance it will fit in the overhead bin, but be careful with it and make sure it won't fall off. Usually the overhead "bin", more a bar, is angled up at the front to keep bags secure.

There are usually also luggage racks at the end of your car....If you are on a fast train, few stops, you shouldn't have to worry about your bag walking off with someone else. You can always get an inexpensive cable and lock and secure it, but just make sure you are at your bag, and it's unlocked before you reach your destination...there sometimes isn't a lot of time before the train moves again.

Frequently, one sees folks asking for recommendations for "authentic" restaurants.
What does that mean? Is a Chinese restaurant in Italy not authentic? Is a restaurant in Germany that serves German food, but doesn't do it very well not authentic? Is a restaurant in France that also offers an English menu, and perhaps one or two dishes that are a bit more suited to what Americans may like not authentic?

Thanks for the deatiled info Ellen....

Joan, I appreciate your sarcasm!

Joan, I suspect "authentic" is another way of saying (and I hate this word) "non-touristy", as if we all aren't tourists really.

We liked this little place in Firenze, L'Mangiarino. Locals eating there, away from the main streets but convenient. Very good food and prices.

In Milan, we were pleasantly surprised when our hotel sent us to Ristorante Sabatini. Again, many locals, good prices, not too far from Stazione Centrale and a Metro stop. I have also enjoyed Mamma Rosa twice in the past. A little more expensive and fancy it tends to cater to business people, IMHO.

In Florence there's a place in the Santa Croce neighborhood that is open only from 11am - 2:30 P.M. "Il Fratellini" It is on Via Gibbolina. It is as authentic as it gets! Big picnic tables inside, people sit with whomever. They will have a soup every day, three types of roasted meats (what they specialize in) and numerous oven roasted vegetables. Also Panini. I rented an apartment in this neighborhood several years ago, and the apartment next to me was being re-tiled. We literally followed the tile workers to this place. Try to get there early-ish, between 12 and 1:30, because when an item is gone, it's gone. It's on Via Gibbolina (sp?)
This would be a convenient lunch break if you're visiting Santa Croce Church, which is quite amazing, with the graves/tombs of Florence's most famous, including Leonardo and Michelangelo!

Thanks. I am going to try this out!

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!