The Settebello was a famous[4] Italian high-speed express train that linked Milano Centrale in Milan with Roma Termini station in Rome, via Bologna and Florence.

Introduced in 1953, it was operated by the Italian State Railways (FS) and used the distinctive ETR 300-type[2][3][5] electric multiple unit trainsets, featuring observation lounges at the front and rear of the train.

When introduced, it "set a standard of speed and luxurious travelling accommodation previously unknown in Italy [and] rivalling anything else on European rails.

Reservations were required for travel on the Settebello,[6][7] but the seating in the observation areas was unreserved, allowing any passenger on the train to use it.

[2][8] In addition to the regular first-class ticket price, the cost of travelling on the luxury train Settebello carried an extra surcharge, or fare supplement.

[4][8] The surcharge alone was almost as much as the first-class fare, but afforded passengers a service "comparable to that of a five-star hotel",[2] with amenities found on very few other day-journey trains of the time.