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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

First-Class Italian Riviera & Portofino

Ten-day First Class rail loop from London through the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre

Illustration of First-Class Italian Riviera & Portofino

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day escorted tour of the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre, beginning with Eurostar Plus and First Class trains across France and the Alps, then basing travellers in Sestri Levante for seven nights. The tour explores the coast by rail, boat, and coach, featuring excursions to Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Vernazzo, and Monterosso), the fishing harbour of Portofino, the 10th-century San Fruttuoso Abbey, the pastel fishing village of Camogli, and the historic capital Genoa. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the entire journey. Days blend guided tours with free time for independent exploration. A highlight is the pesto-making lesson at a local trattoria using a traditional Genoese recipe, followed by dinner. The tour concludes with a train journey to Saint-Raphaël on the French Riviera and a return to London by Eurostar. It suits repeat rail travellers who value First Class comfort, couples seeking relaxed seaside stays, and food-focused visitors seeking authentic regional experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (£3,199 from; approximately $4,290) is substantially above half the double price (£2,299 from; approximately $3,070), representing a significant surcharge for solo travellers.
  • Some itinerary details vary by departure: the 17 May 2027 departure includes a coach leg from Grenoble to Turin due to engineering works; the 17 September and 3 October 2027 departures stay in different hotels (Chambery and Nice respectively) en route to the French Riviera.
  • The operator publishes optional extras (London hotel stays, rail connections from local stations, door-to-door luggage service) to complete the experience; enquire about costs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin by rail

    Meet at London St Pancras and join the Eurostar service to Paris, enjoying a light meal at seats. Change trains in Paris and continue on a scenic rail journey through France, crossing the Alps to Turin. Transfer by coach to overnight hotel. First dinner together. Note: due to engineering works on the 17th May departure, travel by rail from Paris to Grenoble, then connect to Turin via coach transfer.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Sestri Levante

    Down the coast to Sestri Levante

    Free time to explore Turin after breakfast. In the mid-afternoon, continue by rail. From Genoa, the route clings to the coastline through tunnels and over viaducts. From Chiavari, a short coach ride transfers to Sestri Levante. Check in to the customer-favourite hotel in the Old Town next to the Bay of Fairytales, owned by the Cerruti family for more than 50 years. Dinner this evening. Note: for selected departures, stay at the Grand Hotel Villa Balbi and all dinners will be at local restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Sestri Levante

    A free day to explore Sestri

    Free day to explore Sestri Levante at your own pace or unwind at the hotel. Visit the historic old town with cobbled caruggi streets, the Basilica Santa Maria di Nazareth, the Bay of Fairytales (named for Hans Christian Andersen), and the Bay of Silence (Portobello), considered one of the best sandy beaches in Italy.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Sestri Levante

    Visiting the Cinque Terre villages from the water

    Travel by train with a local guide to Riomaggiore, the southernmost Cinque Terre village. Explore before sailing to Vernazza (passing Manarola and Corniglia), then on to Monterosso, the largest of the five villages. Time to explore and grab lunch before returning to Sestri by rail for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sestri Levante

    Cruising to Portofino and San Fruttuoso Abbey

    Train trip to Portofino, a picturesque fishing village set in a natural harbour. Guided tour and lunch at a restaurant with harbour views. Sail to San Fruttuoso, a cove accessible only by foot or boat, dominated by a 10th-century Benedictine abbey and the underwater statue of 'Christ in the Abyss'. Return to Rapallo then train back to Sestri. Note: if weather prevents landing at San Fruttuoso, visit Santa Margherita instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Sestri Levante

    At leisure in the Italian Riviera

    Free day to explore the Italian Riviera independently. Option to catch the train to nearby Chiavari (shops, cafés, 17th-century cathedral) or Rapallo (palm-lined promenade, literary history). Sestri Levante is on the main coastal rail line.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Sestri Levante

    Touring historic Genoa and a pesto-making lesson in Sestri

    Coach to Genoa for a walking tour of the old town including the Doge's Palace and views from Castelleto Levante. Return to Sestri Levante in the afternoon for free time. Evening visit to a nearby trattoria for a pesto-making lesson following a traditional Genoese recipe, followed by dinner of pasta and local specialities.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Sestri Levante

    Discovering Camogli, a Riviera gem

    Train to the fishing village of Camogli. Guided tour of the characterful port village with pastel-hued buildings, 12th-century church, 14th-century Dragonara Castle, and narrow caruggi. Free time to explore and enjoy lunch. Return by train to Sestri Levante for final dinner on the Italian Riviera.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Saint-Raphaël

    To Saint-Raphaël: From the Italian to the French Riviera

    Leave Sestri Levante by train, travelling around the coastal arch of the Ligurian Sea through Genoa to Ventimiglia, then into France to the Côte d'Azur resort of Saint-Raphaël. Check in to hotel overlooking the marina. Note: for 17th September departure, travel via Chambery, staying at the Mercure Chambery. For 3rd October departure, travel via Nice, staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Nice Centre Iconic hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward bound

    Leave Saint-Raphaël in the morning, board the train and journey through France alongside the coast, up the Rhône to Lyon, through Burgundy to Paris. Transfer to Eurostar for the final leg, arriving back in London this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar light meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, cross the Alps on the TGV through France to Turin, then continue by train and coach to Sestri Levante on the Italian coast.
  • Day 4Travel by train with a local guide to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre, then sail through Manarola and Corniglia to Vernazzo and Monterosso, viewing the UNESCO-listed villages from land and sea.
  • Day 5Take a guided tour of Portofino's natural harbour and picturesque fishing village, then sail to San Fruttuoso Abbey, a 10th-century cove monastery accessible only by foot or boat, to view the underwater statue of Christ in the Abyss.
  • Day 7Coach to Genoa for a walking tour of the old town including the Doge's Palace, followed by an evening pesto-making lesson at a local trattoria using a traditional Genoese recipe.
  • Day 9Depart Sestri Levante by train, travel the coastal arch through Genoa and Ventimiglia into France, arriving at Saint-Raphaël on the French Riviera.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus travel
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 7 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The tour includes Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris and back, First Class TGV from Paris to Turin, First Class Italian coastal rail, and all local train travel throughout the Italian Riviera.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. Guided tours and excursions are included at Cinque Terre (by train and boat), Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Camogli, and Genoa.
Which hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys books 4-star accommodation: Hotel Due Mari or Grand Hotel Villa Balbi in Sestri Levante for seven nights (the main base), plus one night in Turin and one in Saint-Raphaël. Upgrades to sea-view or Elegance rooms at Hotel Due Mari are optional extras.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, one lunch (Day 5 in Portofino), seven dinners, and light meals on Eurostar. The pesto-making lesson (Day 7) includes dinner at the trattoria.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers eight departures between April and October 2027 (April, May, June, July, August, September, and October).
What is not included?
Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included. Additional meals, personal purchases, and optional extras (London hotel stays, rail connections, luggage service) are not included.

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