I've had good luck riding the trains in Italy, just walking up and punching in where I wanted to go in one of those machines in the station. Hit the British flag for English. They take credit cards and cash. I really haven't run into trains being very late or fully booked. Don't mean to be argumentative, but wanted to present another side. I actually find it easier when right there to make my selections.

I did run into problems on an overnight train from Venice to Vienna, where the cabin was already occupied by three very tall young women from another country that really would have preferred to keep the cabin to themselves. A conductor helped me convince one of them to free up the lower bunk I had reserved (I'm not young enough for those upper bunks). I slept with my purse attached to my arm and under my body. Well, as much as I slept.

If budget is really tight, do look into the youth hostels. www.hiusa.org and hit "Travel Overseas" on the left hand side. My son was staying at these across Christmas and managed to make friends with a whole family from Sardinia. He was invited to come visit them at their home, and the next year I got to accompany him. Incredibly warm and wonderful experience. A roasted pig, lots of vino, and other great foods.

I do agree with other posters that throwing in two locations in Spain makes for way too much for a week. Do a good job on one country or the other.

Your four cities in Italy could be cut to three as once you've looked at the leaning tower, you've pretty much done Pisa. I'm being a little cavalier here, as there is lots of history and it is a lovely and interesting city, but with only a week, a nice triangle of Rome, Florence and Venice is more workable, and you will not run out of things to look at in any of those cities. You could even book an open jaw ticket, maybe into Rome and out of Venice, so you wouldn't have the longer train ride back to your starting point.

Besides the travel agent, I think it worth your time to go to a public library or a bookstore and look at the travel books - especially Lonely Planet and Let's Go.

Romelle