I traveled in business class on a train from Rome to Florence. For $45, it was the best investment for my trip.
While looking for a train ticket from Rome to Florence in January, I noticed I could pay an extra 10 euros ($11 USD) to book an upgraded seat with Italo, a high-speed Italian train company.
So, rather than booking a standard, smart-class ticket, I booked a prima-business-class seat for a total of 40 euros ($45 USD). I was excited to enjoy perks like ample legroom and complimentary snacks.
Here's what my experience was like.
The boarding process felt fast and easy
The train arrived on time, and my digital ticket provided clear instructions for finding my assigned coach and seat.
One of the perks of the prima-business-class ticket was that I was able to board before the smart-class ticket passengers. It was nice having extra time to get myself and my belongings situated.
My seat felt extremely comfortable
I enjoyed having extra legroom and a wide seat. The chair was comfortable, and I liked that it reclined and had spacious armrests.
I also had a large tray for drinks and personal items, and access to a small coat hook.
During the ride, I got snacks and a boxed lunch
About 30 minutes into the trip, Italo staff members came by my seat with a trolley of snack options, which were included in the price of my prima-business-class ticket.
The menu (which was available via a link with my digital ticket) included a wide variety of options, including pastries, small gourmet sandwiches, and taralli (wheat-based crackers). Drinks, like water, wine, and Coca-Cola, were also available.
I enjoyed a focaccia with olives, a croissant filled with pistachio cream, some taralli, and a glass of white wine.
Then, halfway through the trip, I was handed a lunch box complete with a cheese and mortadella sandwich, two packs of chocolate cookies, and a bottle of water.
I wasn't expecting to have so many options, and felt very satisfied and full.
Overall, the $11 upgrade made my 2-hour ride a dream
In less than two hours, the train arrived at the station in Florence.
Spending the additional 10 euros ($11 USD) definitely made this trip worth it, thanks to the wider seats, extra legroom, and food service I wouldn't have had access to otherwise.
I'd definitely pay the extra money to gain access to these upgrades again.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NEAR Protocol Surges 5% After Forming Bullish Support Pattern
Global markets are navigating heightened uncertainty following a public spat between U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. NEAR Protocol has demonstrated resilience amid this volatility, recovering from a sharp 5.2% decline to establish support at $2.42. The recent price action shows promising signs of accumulation, with increasing volume on the second test of support forming a potential double bottom pattern on short time frames. This technical structure, combined with the successful break above the $2.46-$2.47 resistance zone, suggests buyers are regaining control despite broader market turbulence. NEAR's recovery may indicate growing institutional confidence in blockchain infrastructure projects with real-world utility. NEAR-USD exhibited substantial volatility over a 24-hour period, with a range of 0.132 (5.2%) between the high of 2.547 and low of 2.415. The asset experienced a sharp decline during the 20:00 hour on June 4th, establishing a key support level at 2.423 with above-average volume of 2.69M. A potential double bottom pattern formed with increasing volume on the second test of support, suggesting accumulation at lower levels. Resistance established around 2.462-2.470, with the current recovery approaching this critical zone. In the last hour, NEAR-USD demonstrated significant bullish momentum, climbing from 2.433 to 2.455, representing a 0.9% gain. Price action formed a clear uptrend with notable volume spikes at 07:15 (206K) and 07:37 (120K), indicating strong buyer interest. A temporary peak of 2.462 was reached at 07:34 before a sharp pullback to 2.445, establishing a new support level. Recovery from this dip culminated in a final push to 2.458 at 07:54, followed by consolidation around 2.455. Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump's Bold Bitcoin Bet: DJT Launches ETF to Take on Wall Street Giants
Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ:DJT) just lobbed a crypto grenade into Wall Street. The company behind Truth Social has filed to launch the Truth Social Bitcoin ETFa spot bitcoin fund that would directly hold Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and trade on NYSE Arca if greenlit. Operated by Yorkville America Digital, a self-branded America-first asset manager, the ETF filing signals DJT's latest effort to ride the Bitcoin wave as prices hover above $100,000. This comes on the heels of a $2.5 billion capital raise$1.5 billion in equity, another $1 billion in convertible bondsaimed squarely at building a bitcoin treasury. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with DJT. But this move isn't just financialit's political theater too. Since returning to the White House, Trump has taken a wrecking ball to Biden-era crypto restrictions. The SEC, now chaired by crypto-friendly Paul Atkins, has dropped multiple cases against digital asset firms. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. told a packed Bitcoin conference that crypto is now a huge part of everything we do. The Trump family has leaned hard into the narrativehosting gala dinners for $TRUMP token holders, publicly promoting World Liberty Financial (their soon-to-launch official wallet), and positioning crypto as a core part of the new America-first economic agenda. Still, this ETF is stepping into a war zone. BlackRock's bitcoin fund has ballooned to $69 billion. Fidelity and Bitwise are also miles ahead, with products already cemented in the institutional playbook. Dave Nadig, an ETF veteran, was blunt: the Truth Social Bitcoin ETF may get media attention, but long-term asset flows? That's a tough hill to climb. Even Trump's die-hard supporters might hesitate when institutional-grade alternatives are already flooding the market. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Design Firm Dexelance Opens China Office to Fuel Expansion
MILAN — Furnishings, lighting and contract group Dexelance continues to focus on growth despite market challenges worldwide. On Friday, the firm said it opened its first hub in Shanghai as it seeks to build a direct and structured presence in China, forge relationships with local partners and develop commercial opportunities. More from WWD Designer Vincent Van Duysen Opens Antwerp Home for Zara Home+ 4th Collection Lulu Frost's Lisa Salzer Discusses Importance of Providing Joy With Everyday Luxuries Sanlorenzo Gives Venice a New Cultural Space and Piero Lissoni-designed Bridge 'The Chinese market is one we know well, having been present there since 2020 with a branch in Suzhou. In 2024, China represented approximately 4 percent of our turnover,' Dexelance chairman and chief executive officer Andrea Sasso said in a statement. China's economy has slowed, its property market is still in a fragile state and consumer confidence hasn't quite recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic. But the economic doldrums haven't stopped luxury home brands from betting on the world's second-largest economy to fuel growth. Last year, Italy's Molteni&C opened its largest flagship in the world in Shanghai with local partner Domus Tiandi. Dexelance said Vincy Ho was appointed CEO of Dexelance China in January. 'The opening of this new Shanghai office… allows us to further consolidate our connection with China, strengthening the group's presence in the country and aiming to become a global benchmark in high-end design,' Sasso said. Dexelance, which recently changed its name from Italian Design Brands, owns upscale furniture brands Meridiani, Gervasoni and lighting firm Davide Groppi. It also owns luxury contract firms Cenacchi International and Modar, which work with stores, showrooms, offices, hotels and prestigious homes worldwide. In 2024, it also bought a majority share in Turri, a luxury furniture business founded in 1925 in Carugo near Lake Como, and last year increased its stake up to 100 percent in lighting firm Axolight. The new space will host display areas for Gervasoni, Meridiani, Davide Groppi, Saba Italia, and Turri, in addition to the Dexelance China offices. The first Italian design firm to list its shares on the Milan Stock Exchange, Dexelance said in April that it signed a letter of intent with outdoor furniture specialist Roda Group, with the aim to take a majority stake in the firm. In February, the firm's managing director Giorgio Gobbi told WWD the firm was in talks with several potential acquisitions. The company reported its 2024 revenues were up 4.3 percent to 324 million euros. Sign in to access your portfolio
