Great Rail Journeys
Classic Glacier Express
9 daysfrom $4,005
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Best of Tuscany, Bologna, Como & Bernina Express
Eleven-day escorted tour through Tuscany, Bologna, Como and the Bernina Express
Great Rail Journeys operates this 11-day escorted tour from London through France, Italy and Switzerland, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. The journey begins on the Eurostar Plus to Paris, continues by First Class rail to Turin, and settles into three bases in turn: Montecatini Terme for Tuscany, Parma for Emilia-Romagna's food cities, and Lake Como. Days combine guided city tours, such as Florence's Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David and Bologna's medieval markets, with hands-on food experiences including a pizza-making lesson near San Gimignano and a Parma ham factory tasting in Langhirano. A boat cruise crosses Lake Como to Bellagio before the tour crosses into Switzerland on the Bernina Express, riding First Class panoramic carriages over the Bernina Pass, and finishes with a night in the French city of Chambéry. It suits travelers who want a mix of Renaissance art, regional food and a scenic Alpine rail crossing in one trip.
What to know before you look closer
- Lake Como accommodation is one of two named hotels, the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior or the Palace Hotel Como, so which one you get is not fixed in the evidence.
- Several days include free time for independent exploration rather than a guided activity, for example the afternoon in Florence on day 3 and the free afternoon in Parma on day 6.
- A visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is listed as an optional extra that must be booked in advance and is not included in the tour price.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Turin
From London to Turin
Journey begins at London St Pancras, joining the Eurostar Plus service with a light meal en route to Paris. Switch trains and continue across France, passing the Italian Alps, to Turin. Check in to hotel in the heart of Turin and gather for first dinner.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Montecatini Terme
A morning in Turin and onwards to Tuscany
Free morning to explore Turin's Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Shortly after midday, First Class train to Florence, then coach transfer to Montecatini Terme for three nights. Free time to settle in before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Exploring Tuscany's Renaissance capital, Florence
Travel by rail to Florence for a guided tour: Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Signoria, Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica, and the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David. Free afternoon to explore independently. Return by train; free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Montecatini Terme
Pizza, wine and old-world charms in San Gimignano
Coach to Tenuta Torciano wine estate near San Gimignano for pizza-making lesson and wine tasting, followed by lunch. Continue to San Gimignano (UNESCO World Heritage site) for a free afternoon exploring the medieval streets and 14 ancient towers. Return to Montecatini hotel; free evening for dinner locally.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 5overnight: Parma
An indulgent journey in Italy's culinary capital
Coach north to Bologna for a guided tour: Piazza Maggiore, Neptune's Fountain, Palazzo Re Enzo, Palazzo D'Accursio, Piazza della Mercanzia, Basilica of Santo Stefano, and the Two Towers. Free time for lunch, then a gastronomic tour of a medieval market, artisan shops, chocolate factory and groceries. Continue to Parma hotel; dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Parma
Getting to know the charming city of Parma
Morning walking tour of Parma: Palazzo Ducale, Baptistery, Piazza Garibaldi, the Duomo and the 16th-century university. Coach to Langhirano for a Parma ham factory visit and tasting, followed by a lunch featuring local products. Free afternoon in Parma to explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 7overnight: Lake Como
Milan's stunning Duomo and Alpine views in Lake Como
Coach to Milan for a guided tour: Gothic Duomo (with rooftop admission), Castello Sforzesco and Montenapoleone. Free time for independent exploration or lunch. Continue by coach to Como; check in to hotel. Group dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Lake Como
Cruising the picturesque waters of Lake Como to Bellagio
Guided walk through Como exploring medieval buildings, Gothic Duomo and Old Town. Board a boat cruise to Bellagio ('Pearl of Lake Como') for a free afternoon. Cruise back to Como; free evening for dinner locally.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9railovernight: Lake Como
Crossing the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express
Coach transfer to Tirano, then board the Bernina Express in panoramic First Class carriages on the UNESCO-listed route. Pass the Brusio corkscrew viaduct, Palü Glacier, Bernina Pass and Ospizio Bernina (7,300+ feet) through the Engadine Valley to St Moritz. Free time for lunch and independent exploration in St Moritz. Coach back to Como; group dinner on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10railovernight: Chambéry
To the idyllic French city of Chambéry
Slow morning at the hotel or stroll along Lake Como. Late morning coach to Milan's railway station, then a four-hour train journey to Chambéry, France, with Alpine scenery. Walk to hotel; final dinner of the holiday.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11rail
Homeward bound
Walk to Chambéry station for the train to Paris. Switch trains and board Eurostar Plus to London St Pancras with a light meal at seat. Free to return home on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3A guided tour of Florence takes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Signoria, Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David.
- Day 4At the Tenuta Torciano wine estate near San Gimignano, the tour includes a pizza-making lesson and wine tasting followed by lunch.
- Day 6In Langhirano, the tour visits a Parma ham factory for a tasting, followed by a lunch featuring local products.
- Day 8A boat cruise crosses Lake Como to Bellagio, known as the 'Pearl of Lake Como'.
- Day 9The Bernina Express crosses the Swiss Alps in panoramic First Class carriages, passing the Brusio corkscrew viaduct, the Palü Glacier and Ospizio Bernina at more than 7,300 feet.
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 10 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus service (with light meals at seat)
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 2 lunches
- 6 dinners
- All guided tours and excursions
- Accademia Gallery admission (Michelangelo's David)
- Milan Duomo rooftop admission
- Pizza-making and wine tasting at Tenuta Torciano, San Gimignano
- Parma ham factory visit and tasting in Langhirano
- Gastronomic tour of Bologna
- Lake Como boat cruise to Bellagio
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, First Class rail travel is included throughout, along with Eurostar Plus service with light meals from London to Paris and back, and the Bernina Express from Tirano to St Moritz.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- Escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout.
- What hotels are used?
- 10 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels, including a night in Turin, three nights in Montecatini Terme, two nights at the Grand Hotel di Parma, three nights in Lake Como at either the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior or Palace Hotel Como, and a night in Chambéry.
- When does it run?
- The evidence lists 4 departures, in April, May, June and September 2027.
- What is not included?
- Cancellation and travel insurance, and a visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, which must be booked in advance separately.
