I used to ride the train frequently when I was younger. The Kiwi card was mine. I enjoy riding the rails and have fond memories of playing waggons, crossing the tracks, and making funny faces at the passengers in front of me. I rode the capital frequently; it connected Paris-Austerlitz and Toulouse and operated around the clock. It's never been a nighttime pill for me.
My dream vacation would involve taking one of the world's most renowned train rides, such as the Trans-Siberian, Orient Express, or Darjeeling. I had no idea, however, that Paris was accessible by rail. Paris-Venice. Tracks in a dodo connect two European hunks. Thello is a transportation company that connects the cities of Paris, Milan, Verona, and Venice. We took off from work on December 27 and returned on January 3 to celebrate the new year in Venice.
On December 27 at 7 o'clock in the evening, we boarded a Thello train to Milan with our children, ages two years, and four. A week was needed to make the journey from Milan to Venice via Verona and Lake Como. We departed from the Santa Lucia station in Venice on January 3 at 7 p.m.
I thought the prospect of spending the night on a train would excite the kids beyond measure, given their penchant for sleeping everywhere but in our beds.
We have a bed to sleep in tonight. Comparable to sleeper cabins, but with individual door locks and sinks in each, of course. The great dining van even has a complimentary breakfast service.
When we initially arrive at our cabin, we find some comfortable seats but no bed. In addition, there is a sink with a supply of toiletries stored below it (toothbrush, mini-toothpaste, earplugs, daylight-blocking mask, etc.). You'll find duvets and towels in vacuum-sealed plastic bags. Furthermore, the cabin has a large window that spans the entire width of the room, providing a breathtaking panorama for all passengers.
Moreover, there is a nightlight and an outlet next to each bed (there are 3 beds). Just as we were about to go, someone rang the bell and assured us that our beds will be made within the hour. At this juncture, she also checks our identification. When we cross the border at night, we'll need these to establish our identities; an hour before we arrive, we'll get a call with the good news.
Before boarding, we had breakfast at the railway station, but now we're about to head to the dining car for lunch. You can order Italian food and sit at a table for four here. We are not even near to SNCF prices, but the food looks to be of great quality and the prices are reasonable. Similar to the previous location, this one has large windows that overlook an appealing panorama. In other words, you can drop by whenever you like.
The children enjoy playing with some of the toys we brought back to the lodge and gazing out the window. It's possible to take a tablet that contains both water and food. Our cabin is converted into a basic dormitory when the controller arrives. The kids are just too excited... We're taking away your duvets and towels.
We draw a special kind of dark drape over the window. The kids went to sleep for the night after we read them a bedtime tale and did our morning teeth-brushing in the bathroom. Get in at 6 a.m. to Milan. A week from now, we'll hop on the train in Venice and head back home. It was never a problem for me to fall asleep, and I always enjoyed a restful night's sleep.
The return journey was a lot of fun because we departed from the heart of Venice, directly across from the Grand Canal, at 7 p.m. and arrived in Paris at 9:30 a.m. It's much easier to enjoy our final day in Venice now that we know we'll be catching the night train tonight.
Therefore, we get up at our own pace and enjoy breakfast in the restaurant car while looking out over the countryside. We'll get in Fontainebleau in no time. Five Euros will get you a cup of coffee or tea, a glass of juice, a pastry, some toast, butter, and jam.
Bon Voyage!