From what I can tell, you would be better off buying point- to-point tickets. An Italian rail pass is not likely to be a good deal if you're staying north of Rome. According to the time and cost map at , a second- class ticket from Florence to Vienna would cost around $90. That and a few trips within Italy wouldn't add up to the price of a rail pass, I don't think, even taking into consideration that the pass would be for first class. You might also look into low-cost airlines for your longer trip segments; Air Berlin shows one- way fares from Rome to Vienna ranging from 59 to 129 euros for the range of dates I checked.

Andrew Missouri