The overnight train from Paris to Venice, in addition to making you miss the scenery in the Alps, is not a stellar experience, comfort-wise. I've done it, and didn't mind it; I'd do it again. However, I've seen reports from many people on various travel forums who regretted having bought those tickets, and I can see that it certainly wouldn't be for everyone.

If you have a night to spend en route, somewhere in Switzerland would be a good place to do it, but in order to see the iconic villages mentioned by Palenq, you'd need more than one night. My sister traveled from Paris to visit me in Italy, stopping in Switzerland, where I met her. She spent two nights in Lucerne, which is an easy trip from Paris (one change of train) and also an easy trip from Milan (again one easy change of train). To go on to Venice would require another change of train in Milan.

There's a scenic route, sold as a package called the William Tell Express, from Lucerne to Ticino, the Italian Swiss canton. My husband and I took this trip on our own, without the package, a few years ago. We took a lake boat from Lucerne to Flüelen, and from there, a train to Lugano. Lugano is just an hour or so from Milan. We spent the night there to break the journey, because our home is quite some distance from Milan. There is some great scenery on this route, although, unfortunately, the day was foggy and misty, so we only saw bits of it here and there.

The regular train from Lucerne to Milan, with a change of train (usually in Arth-Goldau) passes through some very pretty countryside.

Lucerne is not in the Alps, but it's surrounded by mountains. You can take several mountain excursions from there, but you'd need to spend two nights to do that, because you'd have a long trip to get there, and another long trip to arrive in Venice.

I don't know whether by gondolas you meant Venice, where they go on the water, or in Switzerland, where they go up the mountainside.

The regular train from Lucerne to Milan, with a change of train (usually in Arth-Goldau) passes through some very pretty countryside.>

but the fastest trains go via the new Gotthard Tunnel where you pass under most of that nice Alpine scenery.

You can indeed take regional trains on the old main Gotthard route be changing to them somewhere but it will take you all in all a couple of hours more but if not in a hurry...

I think we have decided to scrap the Scotland trip. It makes me sad, but I will just need to plan a trip directly there from the states maybe with my sister, or someone who would appreciate it more than my husband!

The trains from Paris to Venice has become very overwhelming for me. I've passed that duty on to my husband! He has a very long email with all of your tips and suggestions, thank you so much!

Paris to Venice via train (7/31 - 8/1) - 2 days/1 night>

If taking day trains yes break it up into 2 days or a long long trip -if not into the overnight train (www.thello.com) and want to go straight thru -look at flights.

Milan would be a good place to break your day train trip. Or go via Switzerland but I would stay two nights somewhere there or skip it.

Hi

No one has mentioned www.seat61.com - this is the expert website for train travel within Europe.

Mark

No one has mentioned www.seat61.com - this is the expert website for train travel within Europe.>

I mentioned it in my first post way above along with two other sights I consider very informative.

Wengen is a great base for excursions and there are many easy walks in the vicinity -no hiking gear nor boots needed:

http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/top...ikes-in-wengen