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Great Rail Journeys · Classic Tour & Ocean Cruise

Glacier Express Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise

Swiss Alps rail classics and Mediterranean cruise, London to Barcelona in 20 days

Illustration of Glacier Express Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise

Great Rail Journeys combines two of Switzerland's legendary scenic trains with a luxury Mediterranean cruise on Azamara in this 20-day escorted journey from London to Barcelona. The first half explores the Swiss Alps by rail: you travel by Eurostar to Strasbourg, then join the panoramic Bernina Express through the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the Engadine Valley, with views of the Palü Glacier and the Landwasser Viaduct. From Chur, the Glacier Express carries you in panoramic carriages through the Rhine Gorge (the Swiss Grand Canyon) to Brig, with a two-course lunch served at your seat. Days in Zermatt offer Matterhorn views, while a visit to 10th-century Spiez Castle includes a private aperitif on the terrace and a cruise on Lake Thun. After a night in Florence, you board the Azamara ship in Rome for seven to ten nights sailing the Mediterranean. Port calls include Livorno in Tuscany, Monaco, Marseille and Palamós on Spain's Costa Brava. Throughout the cruise, all meals, house drinks and gratuities are included. The tour suits couples and repeat rail travellers seeking guided comfort with premium four-star accommodation and all-inclusive cruise amenities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary varies slightly by departure date: the 21 October 2027 departure travels on regional trains without lunch on the Glacier Express day and docks at Nice instead of Marseille; the 8 July 2027 departure has a different port sequence.
  • Some offshore excursions from the cruise ship ports (such as Florence and Pisa from Livorno) are payable onboard and not included in the package price.
  • The rail and hotel portion includes a GRJ Tour Manager only through to the ship in Rome (day 10); the cruise portion is managed by Azamara crew.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Journey on the panoramic Bernina Express along the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway through the Engadine Valley, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and viewing the Palü Glacier.
  • Day 5Board the Glacier Express in panoramic carriages to Brig, descending through the Rhine Gorge (called the Swiss Grand Canyon) with a two-course lunch served at seats.
  • Day 6Travel by local train through the Matter Valley to the car-free alpine resort of Zermatt for Matterhorn views and a behind-the-scenes tour with Air Zermatt.
  • Day 8Visit 10th-century Spiez Castle with museum entrance included and a private aperitif on the terrace, then cruise Lake Thun by boat to Thun.
  • Day 10Transfer to the Azamara ship in Rome and sail into the Tyrrhenian Sea with all meals and house drinks included for the Mediterranean leg.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel: Eurostar Plus from London to Paris, First Class from Strasbourg to Basel, Swiss rail to Chur, the Bernina Express from Chur to Poschiavo, the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig, local trains to Zermatt, rail via the Lötschberg Base Tunnel to Spiez, and rail to Florence and Rome. The cruise operator also includes all transfers and port calls.
What cruise line operates the Mediterranean leg?
Azamara Journey or Azamara Onward, both five-star ships with all-inclusive dining, house drinks (beer, wine, selected spirits and soft drinks), and complimentary AzAmazing Experiences at each port.
How many nights are spent in hotels versus onboard the ship?
Nine nights in four-star hotels during the Swiss rail portion (Days 1-9) and 7 or 10 nights onboard the Azamara ship depending on the cruise length (Days 10-17 or longer).
Is the tour escorted?
Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager for the rail portion from the start through embarkation in Rome (Days 1-10). The cruise is run by Azamara crew.
What meals are included?
During the rail tour: Eurostar light meal, breakfast each day, six dinners, and a lunch onboard the Glacier Express. During the cruise: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with complimentary beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks.
When does this tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in May 2027 and July 2027. Itineraries vary slightly by departure date, particularly port sequences on the cruise.

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