Great Rail Journeys
Gems of Tuscany Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise
16 daysfrom $5,741
Great Rail Journeys · Classic Tour & Ocean Cruise
Glacier Express Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise
Travel through the majestic Swiss Alps on the route of the iconic Glacier Express, before setting sail from Rome on a Mediterranean cruise to Barcelona
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
London to Strasbourg overnight
Meeting the GRJ Tour Manager at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris travelling in Plus class with a light meal. Continue east to Strasbourg for an overnight stop. After checking in to the central four-star hotel, take a short walk to a local restaurant for dinner.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Chur
A warm alpine welcome in historic Chur
Free morning to explore Strasbourg including La Petite France, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel by First Class rail to Switzerland, joining the Swiss rail network in Standard Class at Basel. Arrive in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town, and check in to the central hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Chur
A superb journey on the Bernina Express
Journey on the panoramic Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway route through the Engadine Valley, across the Landwasser Viaduct, over the Bernina Pass, pausing to view the Palü Glacier, and down to Poschiavo. Stop briefly in St Moritz on the return before arriving back in Chur for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Chur
A free day in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
Leisurely breakfast then a free day. Explore Chur's colourful Old Town, Martinsplatz, the 800-year-old cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Alternatively use the Swiss Half Fare Card to visit Arosa, Davos, Klosters or other destinations.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: Brig
An epic journey on the Glacier Express
Board the Glacier Express to Brig, delving into the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon') in panoramic carriages. Enjoy a two-course lunch at seats, passing serene lakes, snowy peaks and climbing to Andermatt before arriving in Brig. Check in to the family-run hotel near the station for a four-night stay. Note: on the 21 October 2027 departure, travel is on regional trains without lunch included.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Brig
Soaking up Matterhorn views from Zermatt
Travel by local train through the Matter Valley to Zermatt. Welcome by the Air Zermatt crew for a behind-the-scenes tour. Free time to explore the car-free town with views of the Matterhorn. Option to take the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Return to Brig for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Brig
Uncovering Brig or venturing further afield
Day at leisure. Explore Brig's historic centre and 17th-century Stockalper Palace. Use the Swiss Half Fare Card to visit the Swiss Riviera (Montreux, Vevey) or the Italian town of Domodossola via the Simplon Tunnel.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Brig
Spiez Castle and a cruise on Lake Thun
Travel by rail through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Spiez. Visit Spiez Castle (10th century) with museum entrance included and enjoy an exclusive private aperitif on the terrace. Cruise along Lake Thun by boat to Thun, then train back to Brig for the final dinner in Switzerland.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Florence
By rail to Florence
Travel south by rail through the Simplon Tunnel into Italy, continuing from Milan to Florence. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and famous squares. Evening free to dine in a traditional trattoria.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard (at sea / Rome)
Boarding your cruise ship in Rome
Return to Florence station and travel by rail to Rome. Transfer to the Azamara ship, say farewell to the Tour Manager and be welcomed by the crew. All meals and house drink package included. Enjoy dinner as the ship sets sail into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Onboard (Livorno)
Exploring Tuscany (Livorno)
Dock in Livorno, the 'gateway to central Italy', with the ship staying overnight. Optional excursions to Florence and Pisa (payable onboard). Enjoy world-class cuisine and onboard entertainment in the evening. Note: 8 July 2027 departure docks at Elba today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Onboard (at sea)
Departing Livorno
Full day in Tuscany before 8pm departure. Use ship facilities, browse boutiques, enjoy shuffleboard or the pool. Explore Livorno's New Venice district and Old Fortress. Dinner onboard before departing. Note: 8 July 2027 departure visits Livorno today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Onboard (Monaco)
A day in Monte Carlo
Arrive in Monaco. Explore Monte Carlo Casino, Place du Casino, Port Hercule and Monaco-Ville with the Prince's Palace and scenic gardens. Note: 8 July 2027 departure visits Porto Venere today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14overnight: Onboard (Marseille)
Uncovering Provence from Marseille
Visit Marseille, France's oldest city. Explore the Vieux Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde and Le Panier neighbourhood. Note: 21 October 2027 departure docks at Nice instead; 8 July 2027 departure visits Portofino today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15overnight: Onboard (at sea)
Sanary-sur-Mer on the French Riviera
Visit 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. Sail overnight towards Spain. Note: 21 October 2027 departure docks at Marseille; 8 July 2027 departure visits Monte Carlo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16overnight: Onboard (Palamós)
Uncovering Catalonia from Palamós
Arrive at the Costa Brava port of Palamós. Explore the historic port, ornately decorated churches and the Fishing Museum. Final evening aboard with dinner and entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge. Note: 8 July 2027 departure visits Marseille today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 17
Homeward bound (Barcelona)
Arrive in Barcelona. Enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Transfer to Barcelona airport for flight to London Heathrow or regional airport. Note: 8 July 2027 departure visits Sète today; on Day 18 the ship docks in Palamós before arriving in Barcelona on Day 20.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a GRJ UK Tour Manager from Madrid to Barcelona
- 9 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7 or 10-night cruise onboard Azamara Journey or Onward
- Five-star service onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
- Eurostar Plus (First & Standard Class) rail travel
- All rail, boat 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
- 6 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
- Group luggage transfers between Chur and the ship
- Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
- A superb choice of excursions during the guided tour
- Onboard entertainment each evening on Azamara Onward
- Complimentary AzAmazing Experiences
- Tips & gratuities included onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
- Lunch onboard the Glacier Express (except 21 October 2027 departure)
Not included
- Offshore excursions payable onboard Azamara Journey/Onward
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