We are traveling in July and am requesting advice for anyone who is familiar with the high speed trains and, in particular, the need to reserve in advance due to high season. I know you have to reserve seats and can do so at the stations but I'm wondering if we should reserve on-line prior to arriving in Italy. July would not be our preference but our daughter is studying for 6 weeks this summer in Florence.

We are arriving in Rome and going directly to Venice then to Florence and then departing from Rome.

I am considering the Trenitalia Pass 3 or 4 trips in 7 days, (the 4th would be be Pisa, although it looks like buying the pass for 3 and buying the tickets for Pisa separately is more economical).

There is a very reduced fare called You & Me for 2 people with limited seat availability which is significantly less than even the economical pass but no changes or refunds are allowed while the pass follows the base fare policies which are the most flexible.

I'm not sure if we really need the flexibility to change (except for arrival day in Rome and then going directly to Venice if our plane lands late) We're due in at 7:30 am and I was looking at either booking the 9:35 or the 10:35 from Roma Termini to Venice.

If it takes us 45 mins to collect our luggage and 15 mins to walk to the train terminal in the airport and then takes 35 mins to take the Leonardo Express to Termini I'm thinking even if we land an hour late we can make the 9:35 (is this realistic, or to be safe should we book the 10:35?)

Also, please, the Express is $14 euros-does anyone have an opinion on whether it would be a good idea to pay more for a driver? I haven't checked the cost difference but will if anyone thinks it's a much better way to go. We are seasoned travelers-Hawaii many times from the East coast ( so we are used to long travel days), and have been to Paris (where we stayed in Place Vendome and took the Rousse bus to and from the airport. We pack very lightly so luggage won't be a problem for us.

Finally, regarding levels of service the pass has easy, comfort and executive levels: Easy includes standard, Comfort includes standard/premium and Business 1st/2nd class-apparently whatever is available with Executive =to executive fares, although there is no Executive availability on our longest trip from Rome to Venice. .Based on the website pics standard looks fine (I actually like both recliners facing forward rather then premium and business which are facing each other with a table (not sure I want to travel facing backwards for 4 hours). Can anyone tell me if I am missing something between standard, premium and business selections (Easy & Comfort?) If we go with booking separate fares rather than the rail pass. Exec is more than we want to pay, especially with no availability from Rome to Venice.
I also have questions about which terminals to arrive at. I know St. Lucia in Venice but unsure about Florence (Novella, Firenze Campo di marte, or Campo di marte)-we haven't booked our hotel yet because our daughter hasn't been assigned housing but we probably want to stay neat FUA. Arriving back to Rome we want to stay in the Pantheon area-haven't looked into hotels yet but am wondering which station?

I know I have to get a move on with hotels as it is high season but I am starting with getting around first.

Any and all suggestions for hotels in mid-higher price ranges would be appreciated as well as any help/advice/opinions re. the trains.

Grazie to anyone who reads my very long post!