I will be going to europe this coming summer with my daughter and 1 year old grandaughter. We will be arriving in Paris and staying there for 2 weeks. After PAris we would love to go to either florence or venice and we are thinking of taking the overnight train in first class. IS it a good idea with a toddler? I sugguested it to my daughter to avoid the hassle of going to an airport. I also think it is better for my grandchild to be able to move in a compartment than be stuck in an airplane. Good idea?

I recently took the overnight (get a couchette!!) train from the south of France to Geneva, and it was very comfortable, warm, and there was water, ear plugs, and blankets ... first class has 4 beds instead of 6 and they are bigger ...

I am not a fan of overnight trains. I've done it twice. The first time was awful, the second time was worse. I couldn't sleep; I felt every stop; I was miserably uncomfortable (in a first class sleeper); and the whole experience made flying overnight to Europe seem like staying at a luxury resort. <BR><BR>I know others like it, but it was not for me. In addition, when I arrived in a city in the morning, I desparately wanted a shower, but couldn't get into the hotel until afternoon. I was miserable and essentially lost the whole first day after the &quot;ordeal&quot;. I'd much rather spend a day riding on the train and enjoying the scenery while awake, than trying to sleep on a train and arriving tired, feeling dirty, and exhausted.<BR><BR>In regards to your situation, I'd think taking a plane for a couple of hours in the day would be far better with the little ones than trying to do an overnight train.

I am sure you need a sleeper, not couchettes nor seats, and a compartment to yourselves, with a bed each, which means a 3 berth or 2 berth sleeper. The night trains to Venice and Florence have both, and also have 2 berth sleepers with a shower and toilet (bathroom) en suite. You have a full day in Paris and in Venice, but do have to work out what you will do for your last afternoon and evening ain Paris, as the Rialto Express leaves Paris at 2001 and arrives in Venice at 0825. The train has a restaurant car, but you may want to take a packed supper and breakfast, to save walking along to the restaurant car. <BR><BR>If time allows, early in your stay you could pop down to the Gare de Bercy to inspect sleepers, and form your own view. There are still the questions of train movement (the rails are welded, so no clickety-clack along the track, but you still run over points, or switches) and of stops (but from 2241 to 0605 you make no stops). I think Patrick was on a more normal sleeper, with several stops during the night and no showers. But it is true that some people just do not sleep on trains. Me, I sleep like a babe.<BR><BR>There is a note on getting the best from sleepers and couchettes on http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm<BR><BR>To fly can be cheaper. Air Liberte fly to Venice, Milan, Pisa, and Rome: their site is http://www.air-liberte.fr/. Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR><BR>

EuroNight trains (EN) don´t stop during the night.<BR><BR>Many large train stations have showers (between 2 and 5 dollars for 15 minutes or so).