Which train company?

Either train company will work, but I recommend the newer Italo Treno as their website is more user-friendly. We took their train from Venice to Rome in first. Lass ( a table for four) and were very comfortable.

http://www.italotreno.it/en

Make sure you select "Venice St. Lucia" as the starting point (not Venice Mestre).

As for luggage, on Italian trains with either company you carry your luggage on board and place it either in the luggage rack at the car's end ( which you can easily watch) or on the overhead rack.

Not all seats in the second class are face to face, in fact there are some first class coaches with face to face seating too.. so traveling first class is not the answer..
On all trains except the regionale trains ,which are unreserved, you have the option of selecting seats on the faster intercity trains when you book your tickets online from the trenitalia website. So u can choose the non face to face ones.
Never travelled by italo so can't comment on it.
Have a great trip

The fast trains make very few stops, so between Venice and Rome there are only a couple of times for vigilance, if that is the right term.

i wouldn't be concerned about possibly sitting close to other travelers. I've often had very interesting conversations with people I encountered on trains and buses, though it helps that I'm a solo traveler. Meeting others in one of the joys of traveling.

There is no need for first class to get the desired sitting arrangement. On the Trenitalia site you can choose your seats, also in second class. Opposite seats with a table in between is a perfect arrangement for you.
I never had had any problem with the Trenitalia site. It's easy and trustworthy: payment by credit card and an emailed pdf for printing at home. There is only one thing to remember: you have to use the Italian originals for place names. So it is Venezia, Firenze and Roma.
Advance bought tickets can come with considerable discount.

I'm not sure about "face to face with travelers" in either class. These days there's not that much difference. Go to this Italy section of the Man in Seat 61. You will find answers to your questions there, including interior pictures of the various kinds of trains and different seating as well as where to put your luggage.

As with any travel, packing light will make everything a lot easier.

The fast trains make very few stops, so between Venice and Rome there
are only a couple of times for vigilance, if that is the right term.

Right. There's really no need to worry about your bags if they're too large to fit in the racks above or space (when provided) between seats. There is a place to stow them in the front of the carriage. We aways keep our carryons with us, however. Security is a little bigger concern on the regionale trains which make lots of stops, and some folks cable bags not physically with them to the luggage racks.

As mentioned, booking first class doesn't necessarily solve your seating concern, and you may choose your seats on the faster, more direct Trenitalia or Italo trains, even in second class. We only travel 2nd class in Italy as it's plenty comfortable enough - much more than a plane - for the price. With 4 people, that price could really add up for 1st class so at least consider a lower tier?

Good info on both train services here:
http://www.seat61.com/italo.htm
http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

Sitting across from strangers hasn't bothered us a bit: they can be good conversationalists or busy with their own methods of passing the time. :O)

Thank you for the replies so far. When one mentions "regional trains" what is the difference vs the trains people have mentioned booking? It looks like there is an advantage to booking before we leave the states? We are all just bringing one 21" piece of luggage each and a carry on. Will that size luggage fit above our seats or in between the seats? I will definitely look at the pictures on the website. Thanks for the info on sitting with locals. I would love it. Just not sure my 15 year old would enjoy it so much😳

@lola-You mentioned to book The Venice train from St. Lucia not Venice-Mestre. The Mestre station is closer to the airport correct?

You will get a much better price on the tickets if you buy them online now. You will also have a better choice of seats. In our experience, a table for four is the "default" assignment for four traveling together---if you buy far enough ahead when such seats are available.

Right now Treno low-fare tix for mid-July, Venice to Florence, are €19,50 in 2d class and €24,50 in 1st. These are non-refundable but changeable for a fee.

Trenitalia tix the same day vary by type of Frecce train. Cheapest is Freccarosso for €24,90 in 2d class and €35,90 in 1st. Those are Super Ecomomy tickets with no change and no refund.

I suggested Italo because, while we have not encountered any problems with booking and payment through Trenitalia, others have. Italo is easier with US credit cards, and the price and booking conditions are better on Italo.

Carry-on size luggage (21") will easily fit in the overhead racks.

When one mentions "regional trains" what is the difference vs the
trains people have mentioned booking?

Regionales are slower, inexpensive trains that often make more stops. They are great for short hops, though, and in a number of cases are the ONLY options available between smaller towns.

You are not going to need these to get from Venice to Florence or from Florence and Rome, though. These are very popular routes that serve a lot of tourists. When you look at the schedules/ticket prices, you're going to want to choose trains that will get you there the fastest and the most directly (no changes). Those would NOT be regionales. Italo does not have any regionales at all, to my knowledge: they're all fast trains.

On the Trenitalia site, The type of train will be indicated in the information for each departure time.

The Mestre station is closer to the airport correct?

Are you staying near the airport/on the mainland and not on the island? Both Mestre train station and the airport are on the mainland. Venezia S. Lucia train station is on the island, where most visitors stay.

Thanks for the info on sitting with locals. I would love it. Just not
sure my 15 year old would enjoy it so much

LOL, people occupying facing seats are just as likely to be from the U.S., the UK, Australia, Germany, India.... The family across the aisle on our run from Rome to Florence last time just happened to live about 5 miles from us!

Mestre station is indeed closer to the airport, because it is on the mainland, not on the islands of Venice proper. I hope you are not considering a Mestre hotel instead of the Venice neighborhoods because it is cheaper, or closer to the airport. Mestre has none of the charm of Venice and you will spend a lot of time and money getting back and forth. And according to the locals who post on TripAdvisor, it is not as safe as Venice.

Perfect info on the trains and very detailed. The only other question I have is when you say a 21" piece of luggage will fit overhead is that above the seats we will be occupying?

We are staying on the island of Venice if that is the proper way to phrase it so I assume we will want to take the train from St. Lucia.

I will look for various stations close to our hotel in Florence (San Lorenzo area) and Rome (Vatican City).

You have all been so very helpful. Planning this all by myself without a travel agent has been a breeze with the help of experienced travelers such as yourselves.

If you are so worried about theft, try to think like a thief: what would you do with a bulky bag full of clothes whose value is almost zero?

Where would you go on a train that runs at 300 ks/h with somebody's else luggage? Not in a station where you'd be filmed by dozens of cameras holding something that's not yours. A 21'' bag is too big to be hidden while going away with a screaming tourist running behind you.

Thieves look either for money or for small, precious things like smartphones and tablets left on the table between the facing seats. Things that they can quickly pass to another thief, usually a kid younger than 12 that can't be arrested.

I'm not going to criticize a young lady, but may I ask what's the difference between strangers on a plane and strangers on a train?

I'm just curious: at least on a train you can go to the bar, stay in an empty seat for a while etc. On a plane you are forced to seat next to a complete stranger for hours.

Friends have recommended that we will want to travel first class so we won't be face to face with travelers.
Your friends don't know much about trains. There are some facing seats in both classes. See below:
http://www.seat61.com/frecciarossa.htm
But you can choose seats.
One question: What would be the problem with facing other passengers? Are you shy?

Where do we put luggage?
overhead rack above your seat (if not too large)
luggage hold at the end of each car if very large suitcases (I don't recommend overpacking. You need to carry your own luggage on and off trains).
See website above to see how they look.

Can we travel with our luggage? My concern is our luggage being taken when out of site.
If your luggage is too large, you may not be able to place it in the overhead rack. If you are concerned about the luggage hold at the end of the car not being visible from your seat, buy a cable lock and tie them together. Between Venice and Florence the train stops only at Venezia Mestre and Bologna. Just pay attention near those stations. But it's very unlikely that passengers on those trains walk out with other people's luggage. Those tickets aren't cheap and the people traveling on them are not poor, therefore not so desperate to need to steal a bag full of dirty underwear. Obviously luggage with valuables (like computers, etc.) should be kept in the racks above your seats.

If you are concerned about petty crime, watch your purse, phones, and wallet when aboard crowded city buses or subways. Overcrowded buses and subways is where 99% of thefts occur. But since you are a 4 member family traveling together, it's more convenient, and just as cheap (as safer) to use taxis. A short taxi ride is not much more expensive than 4 bus tickets. In Venice water taxis are too expensive, so you'll rely more on walking and vaporetti (water buses). Water buses are rarely overcrowded with people squeezed like sardines (like regular buses can be at rush hour). Because of safety concerns the vaporetti captains don't let too many people board the boats at once. If it gets too crowded, they just simply stop boarding more passengers. Therefore pickpockets in Venice are extremely rare.

I will look for various stations close to our hotel in Florence (San Lorenzo area) and Rome (Vatican City).

If you are taking the fast trains, they are direct and so there will not be multiple stations for you to choose from as they use the main station. To get to the other stations you would have to transfer and take a second regional train after you arrive at the main station. In Florence the main station is Santa Maria Novella (SMN) and in Rome it will be either Termini or Tiburtina depending on whether you use Italo or TrenItalia. Once you arrive at the main station you could also take a taxi, subway (in Rome), bus or walk depending on how close your accommodations are located.

Right. If you want the San Lorenzo area of Florence, you're going to want Firenze S.M. Novella. Depending on where your hotel is, it's very possible you could walk to it from the station.

If you're staying on the island in Venice, you want Venezia S. Lucia

The Vatican isn't really close to Roma's big stations so as Jen said, you'll end up at Termini or Tiburtina and take a cab or other form of transport from there.

If you are concerned about petty crime, watch your purse, phones, and
wallet when aboard crowded city buses or subways.

Wise words, as always, from Roberto. Watch those in any area which is crowded, including on the street. We don't put anything we absolutely do not want to lose in an exterior pocket or bag that can be easily accessed by light fingers (we have one with locking zippers). Never hang a bag/purse from the back of a chair or set them by your feet. Don't lay your cellphones on street-side cafe tables. Really, it's not your luggage you need to be concerned about but buy a retractable cable lock if it's really going to bother you.

Maybe your 15-year-old will find this a growing experience.

Regarding 21" or so carry on fitting above your seat on most trains...IT WILL NOT... you will have a storage rack at either end of the train, some regional trains have room between the seats where you can turn a rolling carry on size suitcase on its side.. so yes, you can opt to cable lock them together, or not...the over head racks will fit back pack sized or briefcase sized items...

if you have ever been on a regional/commuter train in the USA you will be able to visualize the depth of the luggage rack over your head.. Make sure that your bag is OBVIOUSLY identifed...as that is the issue with all small black suitcases..someone could accidently take your bag off the train...bye bye...and their case is left behind.

I cannot tell you how many times I have to tell someone that it is MY BAG when they remove mine from the airport luggage carosel..even thought it is black with two bright orange handles and a lime green luggage tag...LOL Definitely be more concerned by pick pocketing and petty theft, grabbing a phone, wallet carelessly left on a table or counter or a bag set down for a moment while shopping or taking a photo...Italy is a poor country that has been through a long recession...so tourist season is hunting season for many....I am a duel citiizen by birth so I can be honest about this without trolls I hope! :) Enjoy your trip!

I will disagree about a 21" bag fitting on the overhead rack. We always put ours there, above our seats. There is not enough room on the luggage rack at the end of the car for everyone's luggage. Some people put it on the seat next to them if it is empty, but you cannot count on that. Putting it on the overhead racks leaves more room for everyone, unless you cannot lift yours overhead.

As for Italy being a "poor country" that is your opinion but does not comport with the facts. Italy has the fourth-largest economy in the EU, after Germany, UK, and France. Unemployment at 12.8% is higher than in the US, but comparable to Ireland (11%) and France (10.4%).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_and_social_rankings_of_sovereign_states_in_Europe

Pickpockets are a nuisance everywhere---not just Italy---but especially in big cities and especially on public transport (metro, bus). Good advice above about not setting your phone or wallet down---watch out especially in outdoor cafes if you are near the sidewalk. Do not leave your luggage unattended on the street or in the station. But once on the train, as long as you keep an eye on it at stops, you will be fine.

I agree. We have always traveled with 21" - 22" bags and they always fit above the seats. The 25" ones might be too large.

You can get better seats for lesser amounts if booked as soon as possible online. We also did Italo since the website was so user friendly. We did first class! They weren't that much, and since I'll never be able to afford first class airline tickets, I thought why not? I have to say we debated whether y get the seats giving each other, but decided not to for leg room. I'm glad we made that choice. You can rally get comfy and stretch your legs without the table between you and the 2 other people.

My husbands 22 inch suitcase fit just fine on the overhead racks. We also placed them on the opposite side to be able to just see them.

Used the Italo Treno for our trip, Rome to Florence to Venice. Did second class (Prima) from Rome to Florence and first class (Club Executive) from Florence to Venice. Both our 28 inch suitcases w/four wheels fit just fine above our heads on the overhead rack in both classes. The first class also had a section at the head of the carriage to place suitcases & coat racks. No exterior door at that end of the carriage for people to access the luggage only the main door to enter the carriage.

Enjoy your trip.