There is no fee for a travel agent in Italy to book tickets for you. You could call, fax or e-mail your hotel concierge, or do an online search, find a travel agent in Italy in the city where you wish to travel and have them make the booking for you.

When the trains went on strike when we were in Rome last summer, it was much easier to go to a travel agent that spoke great English, sit in an air conditioned office and have them use their computer to see which trains were actually running to Florence and book our tickets for us. They also accepted our credit card and there was no fee or commission.

When we were in Florence, I elected to go up the block from our hotel and book our tickets to Venice at a travel agent as well.