The returning trip, from the French Riviera to Vienna, we split into three parts/days.
(I'll add the original post in the comments. Also, I recommend Amethyst because you'll see the pictures as posted, between the right lines, not at the end.)
The first day we went to Milan, with a stop in Ventimiglia. Your usual TER, nothing out of the ordinary.

After a coffee & snack break, we took an Italian InterCity to Milan for an almost 4-hour trip. While this route is served by older trains, I can't complain at all.

In Milan, if you have an overnight stay close to the Milano Centrale train station and you don't want to venture too far, I recommend a food court right in the station's building. I'll add pictures as a reply.
In the next days, I'll continue with the second leg, from Milan to Udine.
(I'll add the original post in the comments. Also, I recommend Amethyst because you'll see the pictures as posted, between the right lines, not at the end.)
The first day we went to Milan, with a stop in Ventimiglia. Your usual TER, nothing out of the ordinary.

After a coffee & snack break, we took an Italian InterCity to Milan for an almost 4-hour trip. While this route is served by older trains, I can't complain at all.

In Milan, if you have an overnight stay close to the Milano Centrale train station and you don't want to venture too far, I recommend a food court right in the station's building. I'll add pictures as a reply.
In the next days, I'll continue with the second leg, from Milan to Udine.