We've been on a few sleeper trains in our time and know they can sometimes be bumpy and rocky. Unfortunately, this carriage was extremely bumpy in the middle of the night - you're aware of being hauled over the Swiss alps and there was presumably quite a bit of single-track since we often juddered to a halt. At one of these stops we heard the sound of water filling - more of which later. These sleeping cars are quite old and I think the springs on their bogies need replacing and we had a fitful night's sleep. At 5am, being awoken by more jolting, I decided to get up and try the shower again and had a cold shower. next>

Day 1-2 (Sunday evening-Monday morning):

Our Thello sleeper train was due to leave Gare de Lyon at 1915 and left promptly. We had booked an en-suite cabin for two to Milano which was €398 in total, booked by the easy-to-use Thello website. About a week prior to departure, we had received an email from Thello stating the restaurant was not available on our train - this was disappointing (hence the takeaway meal). Our compartment was comfortable and, in true sleeping car fashion, was set to daytime (non sleeping) use. We ate our meal while departing Paris and enjoyed the complimentary spumanti and nibbles provided by Thello. Soon after departure the attendant called, asking for passports and requesting when we wanted our beds set ("10pm please"). We continued to enjoy our drinks (water as well) as we progressed southwards. Due to our early arrival at Milano, we decided to shower before bedtime rather than at 5am in the morning. Disappointingly, there was no water in the shower. I went to find an attendant and explained - he also tried it without success. He said he would get someone to call back but nobody arrived and we went to sleep (he set the seats into bed mode).