Thanks LoveItaly - we have been to Milan before - flying home then too. We didn't do much other than the Duomo and the Galleria. This time we added The Last Supper and possibly La Scala - thanks for the link. Any other ideas? Or . . . any place on the way from the Cinque Terra to Milan worth a one night stop?

I would look at Easy Jet flights from Venice to Naples (I see flight as cheap as 24€) instead of the overnight train. It will likely be much cheaper (train will run about 100€ each for a 2 bed compartment). Meridiana is another option for VCE/NAP.

Thanks for the advice kybourbon. Flying is an interesting option - we have done the little hoppers before - Liverpool to Dublin. Part of the appeal with the night train is . . . the train. We love trains. The other appeal is that we can still have a full day in Venice before we leave - train doesn't leave until 23:30. It will take the place of a hotel that night and we don't mind the 6 person compartment which will be somewhat cheaper. We are still exploring the Italian train site.

Hmmmmmm. Wonder if Mr Joe Anderson has some sort of commercial arrangement with perillo tours. He's plugged their services twice, including the above and Hawaii. Seems that perillo are making a mark in the world market, covering both Eastern and Western hemispheres.

We are planning a 19 day trip to Italy. After reading your post, I'm wondering what your final iternary was. Is there anything you would have done differently?

Thanks