Six of us are planning northern Italy in mid/late August. If the airfare remain high from Los Angeles ($1,200) would it be cost & time effective to fly into Europe elsewere (Paris or Amersterdam for example) and take the train to Italy?

The night train into Italy is a horrible experience. On of the weirdest nights of my life. I am 95% sure we, 3 male friends and I (also a male) got gassed in our Couchette. We locked the door at night and woke up the next morning to the door unlocked. All of us felt hungover but only had a glass of wine or two. 3 of us saw stuff in our sleep and did not react. (I am a very light sleeper and I saw a hand infront of my face and did not react. To illustrate that I am a light sleeper. In Kusidasi that same summer i saw two kids on my hotel balcony at 3:30 in the morning and was able to pop awake and chase them over 15 foot balcony. I jumped instead of climbing down a spout like them. Incedentally, I broke my ankle doing that. Not recogmended). The next morning on the train a friend noticed that a Credit card he had in germany the day before was missing and cancelled it Immediately. A month later when he got the credit card bill there was a $50 charge on the card in nothern italy the morning of the train ride. The whole train was crooked, including employees. <BR>Just be careful and pull an alnighter.<BR><BR>Tolga

Steve, this past summer we fley to Paris and then took the TGV to Bern, stayed overnight and took the train to Milan. The train from Bern to Milan was one of the most incredible trips I've ever taken in my life. It was so beautiful through the Alps. Of course you know that August is the worst time to go to Italy? And August 15th you can just forget about!

It might be very worth your while to fly into London, and fly www.ryanair.com for little more than a song.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Hi Steve. I think Rex's idea sounds great. However, Just want to pass on that if you were thinking of the train, I've always found it to be a positive experience. I'm a female solo traveler, and have taken several night trains, including Italy, with no problems. I used to take second class, but now I really enjoy first. <BR><BR>I'm planning on night training it next month into Paris from Italy with no worries.

I appreciate the responses...August is not my choice but schedule (work/law school and companions)circumstances dictate.