I really think I lost a few hundred dollars by using the eurail pass. It was good for local travel (like going back and forth to this one city a few times) but like..when we went into Italy for Venice and Rome I think I totally got ripped off.

Maybe, if you have enough time, look online to see how much it would cost to just make reservations for the different train trips you'll need to make and then compare it to the eurail price? But add to the eurail price more $$ for the reserving of seats (like..the eurail is your ticket price but doesn't include the reservation but if you buy the ticket separate the ticket price would already include the reservation price..)

Also, if you do go for a eurail pass, I think the flexipass works better than say "unlimited travel for one month" type pass unless you'll be on the train every day?