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Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday

Cinque Terre Discovery

Seven-day London to Cannes rail journey via Alps and Italian coast

Illustration of Cinque Terre Discovery

Tailor Made Rail's Cinque Terre Discovery is a 7-day independent rail holiday that carries you from London to the Italian Riviera and back, with stops across France, Germany, and Switzerland. The journey opens with an evening arrival in Freiburg via Eurostar and TGV; the next day you cross the Alps via the Gotthard Pass on a Swiss EuroCity train to reach Rapallo on the Ligurian coast, where you settle for four nights. From this seaside base, three full days are yours to explore the five villages of Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore), each with its own railway station, letting you move freely between them. Day 6 takes you eastward along the coast to Cannes for an overnight stay, and Day 7 returns you to London via TGV and Eurostar. All standard-class train fares, seat reservations, six nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, and travel documentation are included. This trip suits independent explorers comfortable navigating unguided days and first-time rail travellers who want the reassurance of pre-booked trains and hotels without a tour group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed with 'or similar' qualifier; the final accommodation depends on availability.
  • Optional extras include first-class upgrades (from GBP 200) and luggage transfers, charged separately.
  • The package allows a Cinque Terre village stay instead of Rapallo, but you must request details and confirm pricing directly with Tailor Made Rail.
  • Day 1 arrival is evening; no activities or meals included that evening in Freiburg.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Freiburg

    London to Freiburg

    Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, connect to the Gare de l'Est for a direct TGV service to Freiburg, arriving in the evening.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rapallo

    Freiburg to Rapallo via the Gotthard Pass

    A German ICE train to Zurich, then a Swiss EuroCity train through the Alps via the Gotthard Pass to Milan Centrale, and on to Rapallo on the Ligurian coastline. Check in for 4 nights.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Rapallo

    Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coastline

    Explore the five villages of the Cinque Terre - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore - each with its own railway station, easily accessible from Rapallo.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rapallo

    Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coastline

    A further day exploring the Cinque Terre villages.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rapallo

    Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coastline

    A further day exploring the Cinque Terre villages.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Cannes

    Rapallo to Cannes

    A regional train to Genoa along the coastline, connecting to a service to Ventimiglia and on along the French Riviera to Cannes, for an overnight stay.

  7. Day 7rail

    Cannes to London via Paris

    A direct TGV service to Paris, then a connecting Eurostar to London in the afternoon or evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Swiss EuroCity train descends the Gotthard Pass through the Alps from Zurich to Milan Centrale, with views of the Alpine landscape.
  • Day 3Explore the five villages of Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore), each with its own railway station accessible from your Rapallo base.
  • Day 6Regional train journey along the Ligurian and French Riviera coastlines from Rapallo through Genoa and Ventimiglia to Cannes.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 6 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes, all rail journeys are included in standard class, including Eurostar, TGV, ICE, and EuroCity trains. Seat reservations are also included where required.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent rail holiday. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and email ticket dispatch, but travel and explore at your own pace without a group guide.
What accommodation is included?
Six nights in hand-picked hotels with breakfast: one night in Freiburg, four nights in Rapallo, and one night in Cannes. Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning alternatives may be offered.
When does this trip run?
The operator lists low-season pricing (GBP 899) for October to May and high-season pricing (GBP 1199) for June and September. Contact Tailor Made Rail for specific departure dates.
How much walking is involved?
Three full days are dedicated to exploring the five Cinque Terre villages, each accessible by local train from Rapallo. Expect moderate walking between villages and along coastal paths.
Can I upgrade or modify the itinerary?
Optional extras include first-class upgrades from GBP 200 and luggage transfers. You can also request to stay in a Cinque Terre village instead of Rapallo, though details must be confirmed with the operator.

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