Great Rail Journeys
Glacier Express Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise
20 daysfrom $7,077
Great Rail Journeys · Classic Tour & Ocean Cruise
Gems of Tuscany Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise
Uncover Tuscany's treasures on an escorted exploration taking in Florence, Pisa, Siena and more, before setting sail for a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Barcelona
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Turin
From London to Turin
Meet the Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager at London St Pancras before a Eurostar journey to Paris in Plus class with a light meal served at your seat. Change trains in Paris and continue by First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps, to Turin. Check in to the hotel in the heart of Turin's historic centre and gather for a three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Arriving in the historic spa town of Montecatini Terme
After breakfast, the morning is free to explore Turin. Shortly after midday, travel by First Class rail to Florence, then transfer by coach to Montecatini Terme, the base for the next seven nights. The family-run hotel has been welcoming guests for many generations. After free time to settle in, gather for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Exploring Montecatini Terme at leisure
A free day to explore Montecatini Terme independently. Options include visiting the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio with its Liberty architecture, marble-lined pools and Art Nouveau tiles, or taking the funicular railway up to the enchanting medieval quarter of Montecatini Alto with its piazzas, pavement cafés and Romanesque churches.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Montecatini Terme
A day in Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance'
Travel by rail to Florence for a guided tour including the red-tiled Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, visiting galleries, churches and Medici palaces. Return by train to the hotel for dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Medieval Lucca & Pisa's Field of Miracles
Travel by rail to the walled city of Lucca for two hours of free exploration, with an included option to hire a bicycle for a gentle ride along the ancient ramparts. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in a local trattoria. Continue by rail to Pisa to tour the famous Field of Miracles, viewing the iconic Leaning Tower and Romanesque Duomo. Return to Montecatini Terme by train; dinner is independent this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6overnight: Montecatini Terme
San Gimignano and dinner at Il Borgo Machiavelli
Coach excursion into the Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, the extraordinary medieval hill town known as the 'Medieval Manhattan'. Free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore. Later, visit the Renaissance-era Il Borgo Machiavelli set in 600 acres of vineyards and olive trees, tour the museum and cellar before drinks and dinner in quintessential Tuscan surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Montecatini Terme
Exploring Montecatini Terme or beyond at leisure
Another free day to explore at your own pace. Options include visiting Montecatini Alto, or taking the frequent rail service to Viareggio (50 minutes), Bologna (two hours), or revisiting Florence or Lucca. Dinner is independent this evening with a wide choice of restaurants in Montecatini Alto or the town centre.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8overnight: Montecatini Terme
Discovering charismatic Siena
Drive to medieval Siena for a guided tour starting at the Santa Barbara Fortress, passing the Duomo with statues by Donatello and Michelangelo, and ending at the incredible Piazza del Campo, the shell-shaped piazza famous for the Palio horse races. Free time to wander Siena's ancient streets independently before returning to the hotel. Gather for dinner to mark the final night in Tuscany.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Onboard (at sea / Civitavecchia)
Boarding your ship in Rome
Travel by coach to Viareggio, then board the train to Civitavecchia. Transfer to the Azamara ship, say farewell to the Tour Manager and be welcomed by the crew. Settle in and make use of the ship's facilities including outdoor pool, spa and gym. All meals and a house drink package are included. Enjoy dinner as you set sail into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Onboard (Livorno)
Docking in Livorno
Dock in Livorno, the historic port on the western coast of Tuscany, often called the 'gateway to central Italy'. The ship stays overnight, providing ample time to discover the city. Return to the ship this evening for world-class cuisine in one of the six restaurants and onboard entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Onboard (at sea)
Departing Livorno
A full day in Tuscany before an 8pm departure. Use the ship's facilities, browse boutiques, play shuffleboard, relax on the sun deck or take a dip in the outdoor pool. Explore Livorno's history, strolling past the canals of the charming New Venice district near the 14th-century Old Fortress. Enjoy dinner onboard with a different menu each day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Onboard (Monte Carlo)
Glamorous Monte Carlo
Arrive in the tiny principality of Monaco. Explore Monte Carlo's grand boulevards, designer boutiques and the world-renowned Monte Carlo Casino. Admire opulent yachts in Port Hercule or explore Monaco-Ville, the old town, with the Prince's Palace and scenic gardens with Mediterranean views.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Onboard (Marseille or Nice)
Historic Marseille
Dock in Marseille, the oldest city in France, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC. Explore the Vieux Port district lined with fishing boats and quaint cafés, visit Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views, or explore Le Panier neighbourhood with its narrow streets and artisan shops. Note: on the 22 October 2027 departure, the ship docks at Nice today instead.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14overnight: Onboard (at sea)
Uncovering Côte d'Azur from Sanary-sur-Mer
Dock at Sanary-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur, considered the sunniest town in France. Explore the palm-lined harbour, cobbled backstreets and the Musée Frédéric-Dumas, which tells the history of scuba diving pioneered here by Dumas and Jacques Cousteau. Enjoy dinner and entertainment onboard as the ship sails overnight towards Spain. Note: on the 22 October 2027 departure, the ship docks at Marseille today instead.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15overnight: Onboard (Palamós)
Arriving in the heart of the Costa Brava
Arrive at the Costa Brava port of Palamós. Explore the rugged headland with its narrow alleyways (carrers), ornately decorated churches and the Fishing Museum. This evening is the final evening aboard, enjoy dinner and entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, cocktails at the Discoveries Bar or relax in the Drawing Room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Homeward bound
Arrive in Barcelona. Enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Transfer to Barcelona airport for the flight to the UK, where the holiday comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a GRJ Tour Manager from London to Civitavecchia
- 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard Azamara Journey or Onward
- Five-star service onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
- Eurostar Plus Class travel
- First Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flight from Barcelona to London Heathrow (regional departures available)
- Eurostar light meals
- Breakfast each day of the escorted tour
- 1 lunch during the escorted tour
- 5 dinners during the escorted tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise
- Complimentary beer, wine, selected standard spirits and soft drinks throughout the cruise
- A superb choice of excursions during the guided tour
- Onboard entertainment each evening on Azamara Journey/Onward
- Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings experiences
- Tips and gratuities included onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
- Self-service laundry onboard
- Onboard gratuities
Not included
- Offshore excursions payable onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
