Rail Plus today announced details of a major upgrade to the 13-hour overnight rail trip between Paris and Milan/Venice - one of the most popular European journeys for Australian travellers.

Rail Plus National Sales and Marketing Manager Greg McCallum said a new service, Thello, was set to launch on December 11, offering a vast improvement on the existing ‘Artesia’ journey, which had in recent years become tired and in need of a major overhaul.

“The train will now be managed by TVT - a new partnership between Trenitalia and Veolia Transdev – which is introducing much-improved dining experiences, better customer care and an ongoing program to refurbish carriages,” said McCallum. “These changes will ensure this journey now meets the same high standards of other key European routes.

"In addition, travel agents will now be able to book e-tickets up to four months before departure, compared to the current 90 days."

Thello will also now depart from the conveniently located Paris Gare de Lyon* and travel to Venice Santa Lucia via Dijon, Milan, Brescia, Verona, Vicenza and Padua.

Passengers will have a choice of four sleeper coaches (with compartments offering en-suites and between one and three berths) and 10 air-conditioned couchettes (with compartments configured with four to six berths).

McCallum said TVT was also expected to introduce an overnight journey between Paris and Florence/Rome from June 2012.

"In the meantime, the new Milan/Venice service will provide the best way to travel overnight between Paris and Rome, with passengers taking Thello to Milan then boarding a high-speed service to the Italian capital,” he said.