Train Seats/Windows

kj,

Just curious, are you changing trains at Firenze Campo di Marte? The usual station for the central part of Florence is Fienze S.M. Novella.

"when considering the potential effect on the brain when traveling at such a speed."

The FrecciaArgento trains don't travel at the highest speeds, but only to a maximum of about 250 km/h. I've never noticed much of an "effect on the brain" at that speed (although when two high speed trains pass each other, the effect is rather dramatic regardless of what type of seating one is using).

Changing or not, direct services between Bolzano/Verona and Florence stop only at Campo di Marte - in order to arrive at SMN it would be necessary a train change somewhere.

For best views, seat by the windows - corridor places have much more limited view. The direction of train is not specified in seating diagrams but the train reverses anyway its direction in Verona - any place will be alternately forward and backward seating.

We personally do not like the 4seat/table seating because of the limited foot space if someone sets across from you and they will.

We go first class on trains and not only have more room but get good views.

The Campo di Marte station is actually closest to Gabriella's Residence where we're staying but it's more of a time factor. On September 28th, the Frecciargento 9481 leaves at 15:11 and arrives at 18:20 - a trip of 3:09. This allows us to stay in the Dolomites for the morning or spend some time in Bolzano before leaving - still getting to Firenze for a late dinner. There are no non-stop trains to SMN that I can see and they take anywhere from 3:39 to well over 4 hours.

Terry Lynn - while cost is still a factor, it's always a price/value decision. That being said, what ticket would you buy and where would you prefer to sit?

Thanks again all.

I always travel First Class too.

But to answer your question, I think I would choose the two seats in a row. I would choose the seats facing the direction of travel. Is that what you mean by forward facing? I would choose that. I don't like traveling backwards. Is that what you mean by rear facing? I would not choose that.

The four bay seats can get crowded even in First Class. There may not be that much leg room or elbow room. If you sit by the window, one of you travels backwards. Then it's difficult getting in and out of the bay if the aisle seats fill up. There's no privacy if the bay is shared.

The two seats in a row will give you space, privacy, and a good view. And I don't know of any potential effect on the brain. The outside goes by fast but the brain handles it just fine. Just don't blink. Just kidding. LOL.

I also don't travel second class.
I generally buy all the seats in the Executive class car so that I have the whole car for myself and I can stretch without having to commingle with other strangers.

As my 'concittadino' asps2 pointed out, the Bolzano Firenze train reverses the direction of travel at Verona PN therefore if you face forward at the beginning of the trip, you will be facing backward from Verona to Florence.

The window seat will offer the best view, no matter which direction you face, because if you sit in the aisle seat and the person next to you has a big nose the view will be obstructed.

When you travel on the Freccia train at high speed (which is not so high from Bolzano to Bologna since that is not a high speed line) the only effect on your brain will be caused by the wine in case you drink a lot of it on board. Other than that, traveling at 200km/h (that's the speed in that segment) will just be like speeding on the freeway. The only time the train will go over 300km/h will be between Bologna and Florence. But those 60 miles are almost entirely underground under 3 very long tunnels, therefore there is nothing to see outside.

However, now that I think about it, there isn't much to see between Verona and Bologna either (it's a boring plain), therefore in your shoes I wouldn't worry too much. The only slightly scenic view (if you want to call it that), is at the beginning, on the Adige Valley, south of Bolzano, which is bordered by fairly high mountains on both sides. Other than that, after Verona you can go to sleep till you arrive.