How much does it cost?

From £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

The Tuscany portion (Days 1-8) is escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who travels with the group. The cruise portion (Days 9-16) is all-inclusive aboard the ship; offshore excursions at ports are optional and paid separately.

Which trains are used?

Eurostar Plus Class (London to Paris), TGV/InterCity in First Class (Paris to Turin), Trenitalia regional rail in First Class (Turin to Florence, Montecatini Terme to Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Viareggio to Civitavecchia).

Where do you stay during the tour portion?

One night in Turin at a hotel in the historic centre, then seven nights at the four-star Grand Hotel Croce di Malta in Montecatini Terme. The latter is a family-run property that has welcomed guests for generations.

What meals are included?

During the escorted tour: breakfast daily, one included lunch (at a Lucca trattoria on Day 5), and five dinners at the hotel or special venues like Il Borgo Machiavelli. During the cruise: all breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits and soft drinks throughout.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour & Ocean Cruise

Gems of Tuscany Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise

Great Rail Journeys' sixteen-day Gems of Tuscany and Mediterranean cruise combines a managed eight-night Tuscany exploration with a seven-night cruise from Rome to Barcelona. The journey begins with Eurostar Plus Class from London St Pancras to Paris, followed by First Class rail across France and the Italian Alps to Turin. After a night in historic Turin, the group transfers to Montecatini Terme, a thermal spa town, for seven nights as a comfortable base. Days include a guided tour of Florence's Renaissance landmarks, rail excursions to Lucca, Pisa and Siena, a Tuscan countryside drive to the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, and dinner at Il Borgo Machiavelli, a Renaissance villa surrounded by vineyards. Several days offer unscheduled time to explore independently or rest. On Day 9, the group boards the Azamara Journey or Onward for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise calling at Livorno, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Sanary-sur-Mer and Palamós before arriving in Barcelona. All rail, meals during the escorted portion and the full cruise with drinks are included. The escorted portion suits those who appreciate guided immersion in art, architecture and regional cuisine alongside leisure time; the cruise appeals to travellers seeking five-star service, all-inclusive days and onboard entertainment.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £300 since 4 Jul, to £3,999.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The tour portion stays in one hotel base (Montecatini Terme) for seven nights; Turin receives only one night. Pack accordingly if you want daytime exploration of Turin.
Two days during the escorted portion (Days 3 and 7) have independent dinners; Great Rail Journeys does not provide evening meals on those dates.
Offshore excursions at Mediterranean ports are not included and are payable onboard the Azamara.
Departure is confirmed for May 2027 only; only one sailing date is currently published.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Turin
From London to Turin
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar in Plus class to Paris, then change trains for First Class rail across France to Turin, where we check in and gather for a three-course dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Arriving in the historic spa town of Montecatini Terme
A free morning in Turin is followed by a First Class train to Florence and a coach transfer to Montecatini Terme, our base for the next seven nights, where we gather for dinner at our hotel.
Day 3overnight: Montecatini Terme
Exploring Montecatini Terme at leisure
A free day to explore Montecatini Terme independently, including the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio spa and the historic quarter of Montecatini Alto, reachable by funicular.
Day 4railovernight: Montecatini Terme
A day in Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance'
We travel by rail to Florence for a guided tour taking in the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, with the afternoon free to explore its galleries and Medici palaces before returning to Montecatini Terme for dinner.
Day 5railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Medieval Lucca & Pisa's Field of Miracles
We travel by rail to Lucca for free time to explore or cycle its ancient ramparts, followed by a group lunch, then continue by rail to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and Duomo before returning to Montecatini Terme.
Day 6overnight: Montecatini Terme
San Gimignano and dinner at Il Borgo Machiavelli
A coach excursion takes us to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano with free time to explore, before visiting the Renaissance-era Il Borgo Machiavelli estate for drinks and dinner.
Day 7railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Exploring Montecatini Terme or beyond at leisure
Another free day to explore Montecatini Terme and Montecatini Alto, or take the train to Viareggio, Bologna, Florence or Lucca.
Day 8overnight: Montecatini Terme
Discovering charismatic Siena
A guided tour of medieval Siena visits the Santa Barbara Fortress, the Duomo and the Piazza del Campo, with free time to explore before a final dinner in Tuscany.
Day 9railovernight: Onboard, sailing
Boarding your ship in Rome
We travel by coach to Viareggio and board the train to Civitavecchia, where we transfer to our Azamara ship, say farewell to the Tour Manager, and set sail into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Day 10overnight: Livorno (onboard)
Docking in Livorno
The ship docks overnight in Livorno, the 'gateway to central Italy', with optional excursions available to explore the port city.
Day 11overnight: Onboard, sailing
Departing Livorno
A full day in Livorno before an 8pm departure allows time to explore the New Venice district or enjoy the ship's facilities before we set sail.
Day 12overnight: Onboard, sailing
Glamorous Monte Carlo
We arrive in Monaco to explore Monte Carlo, including the Monte Carlo Casino, Port Hercule and Monaco-Ville's Prince's Palace.
Day 13overnight: Onboard, sailing
Historic Marseille
We explore France's oldest city, Marseille, including the Vieux Port district and optionally Notre-Dame de la Garde or Le Panier. Note: the 22nd October 2027 departure docks at Nice instead.
Day 14overnight: Onboard, sailing
Uncovering Côte d'Azur from Sanary-sur-Mer
We dock at Sanary-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur, exploring its palm-lined harbour and the Musée Frédéric-Dumas, before sailing overnight towards Spain. Note: the 22nd October 2027 departure docks at Marseille instead.
Day 15overnight: Onboard, sailing to Barcelona
Arriving in the heart of the Costa Brava
Having sailed overnight, we reach the Costa Brava port of Palamós to explore its historic alleyways, returning to the ship for a final evening of entertainment.
Day 16
Homeward bound
Arriving in Barcelona, we enjoy breakfast before disembarking and transferring to the airport for our flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Guided tour of Florence includes the red-tiled Duomo and Ponte Vecchio; afternoon free to explore galleries, churches and Medici palaces at your own pace
Day 5Travel by rail to walled Lucca with the option to cycle along the ancient ramparts, then continue by rail to Pisa to view the Leaning Tower and Romanesque Duomo
Day 6Coach journey into Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano; visit Il Borgo Machiavelli, a Renaissance villa set in 600 acres of vineyards and olive trees, for dinner
Day 9Board the Azamara Journey or Onward in Civitavecchia; ship departs into the Tyrrhenian Sea with all meals and house drinks included
Day 12Arrive in Monte Carlo; explore the Prince's Palace, Casino and yachts in Port Hercule

Included

Expertise of a GRJ Tour Manager from London to Civitavecchia
8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
7-night cruise onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
Five-star service onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Flight from Barcelona to London Heathrow
Regional departures available
Eurostar Light Meals
Breakfast each day of your escorted tour, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise
Complimentary beer, wine, selected standard spirits and soft drinks throughout your cruise
A superb choice of excursions during your guided tour
Onboard entertainment each evening on Azamara Journey/Onward
Complimentary AzAmazing experiences
Tips & gratuities included onboard Azamara Journey/Onward

Not included

Offshore excursions payable onboard Azamara Journey/Onward

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: The Tuscany portion (Days 1-8) is escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who travels with the group. The cruise portion (Days 9-16) is all-inclusive aboard the ship; offshore excursions at ports are optional and paid separately.
Which trains are used?: Eurostar Plus Class (London to Paris), TGV/InterCity in First Class (Paris to Turin), Trenitalia regional rail in First Class (Turin to Florence, Montecatini Terme to Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Viareggio to Civitavecchia).
Where do you stay during the tour portion?: One night in Turin at a hotel in the historic centre, then seven nights at the four-star Grand Hotel Croce di Malta in Montecatini Terme. The latter is a family-run property that has welcomed guests for generations.
What meals are included?: During the escorted tour: breakfast daily, one included lunch (at a Lucca trattoria on Day 5), and five dinners at the hotel or special venues like Il Borgo Machiavelli. During the cruise: all breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits and soft drinks throughout.