Sue_xx_yy

If your motives come from the heart ("once in a lifetime experience with kids now in their twenties, i.e. leaving us&quot then there is little point trying to resolve the dilemma using logistics, i.e. your brain.

Let's try it this way. You'd like to enjoy a bit of Italy with your kids, maybe something of a church/art experience (hence the desire for Rome?)

But Rome is over 800 land km from Arth-Goldau, whereas Milan is just over 200 km. Okay, Milan is not Rome. BUT: it is, most definitely, Italy for 1/4 of the distance. Milan has an interesting cathedral, not to mention LDV's The Last Supper (which you must reserve in advance, ask for help on this board as to how to do that.) And the route by car or by train is a scenic one going over the alps. Why waste such scenery on a miserable overnight train trip?

Anyway, it's a third option for you to think about. Still quite a busy excursion, but a lot saner than the Rome one.

Sue_xx_yy

P.S. There are two fast (Cisalpino) trains leaving Arth-Goldau in the morning, getting you into Milan before noon; trip time is about 3 hours. You could spend the afternoon in Milan, overnight there, see The Last Supper the next morning, and then take a regular EC trains (just under 4 hours travel time) - they leave just about hourly in the afternoon, sample journey 14:25 arrive Arth-Goldau 18:08.

WallyKringen

Go go go, it'll be a fabulous mad dash that you'll never forget. Your daytime program starting at 07:15 looks strenuous but fine, and when you're wilting, there's always a double-espresso and a gelato to keep you going.

Sometimes we have to do the extraordinary rather than the comfortably complacent to put an accent on an experience, and this is the one for you guys.

Hopp Schwyz!

WK

kleeblatt

Yup, I live in Switzerland. I know the Schuler's but actually I'm related to the Deck's and Schilter's.

I've been to all those wonderful schwingfests too. In fact, we're planning on going to Bonney Lake schwingfest this August during our visit.

mleafd

made a decision to 'wait and see' how things are going and if we as a group decide to go to Rome then we'll go for it. I thank you all again for your input... I almost went for it... but then don't want to be the only one or two in our family that 'wanted to go' it's a group decision...
Best to you all... I'll let you know how the trip turns out!!!