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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Highlights of the Mediterranean: Spain, France & Italy

Twelve-day escorted journey from Barcelona to Cinque Terre via France and Italy

Illustration of Highlights of the Mediterranean: Spain, France & Italy

Vacations By Rail operates this 12-day escorted journey through Spain, France, and Italy, beginning in Barcelona and concluding in the Cinque Terre village of Monterosso. A professional Tour Manager leads the group of like-minded travelers throughout, arranging rail and coach transport, four-star hotel stays, most meals, and guided sightseeing in five major cities plus the French and Italian Rivieras. The itinerary blends cultural discovery with leisure: Day 2 offers free time in Barcelona; Day 4 is devoted to a private wine tasting and four-course lunch at a French château; Day 8 is unscheduled in Nice. Days alternate between guided walking tours of medieval citadels, Roman landmarks, and seaside towns, and transfers by train, coach, or boat. Highlights include Carcassonne's UNESCO-listed walled city, a boat cruise to Portofino, and a rail excursion to three Cinque Terre villages. This pace and accommodation tier suit couples and history-minded travelers seeking a structured, culturally rich Mediterranean experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 means this tour involves substantial walking and stairs; it is not suited to travelers with significant mobility challenges.
  • The tour ends in Monterosso on Day 11; Day 12 is a transfer to the airport with only breakfast included, and no overnight stay.
  • Standard-class rail travel on local networks means regional trains rather than high-speed service on certain segments.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Barcelona

    Arrival in Barcelona

    Meet the Tour Manager at the central hotel, checking in mid-afternoon. Free to explore the local neighborhood before the first dinner of the tour.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona sightseeing and free afternoon

    A guided tour by coach and on foot through the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, ending at La Boqueria market with a drinks tasting. Free time to visit the Picasso museum, Park Güell, Barceloneta or Montjüic.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Carcassonne

    Arrival in Carcassonne

    Train to Carcassonne, changing at Narbonne, passing the French Pyrenees. Check in to the spa hotel on the River Aude, then a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage walled city, including entrance to Château Comtal.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Carcassonne

    A private wine tasting and lunch at Château de Pennautier

    Coach to the 17th-century Château de Pennautier for a guided tour of the castle and grounds, a wine cellar tour and tasting, and a four-course lunch with wine pairings. Return to Carcassonne mid-afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: Nîmes

    Arrival in Nîmes

    Train to Nîmes, the 'French Rome'. After free time for lunch, a two-hour guided tour visiting the city's Roman Arena.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Nîmes

    Excursion to Pont du Gard and Avignon

    Visit the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Avignon for a guided tour including the Pont St Bénezet and the Palais des Papes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Nice

    Welcome to Nice on the Côte d'Azur

    Travel by motorcoach through Provence to Nice. A sightseeing tour starting at the Palais de la Méditerranée Casino, through the historic Old Town, the Opera House, the flower market and Nice's cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Nice

    A day at leisure in Nice

    Free day with options to visit the Musée National Marc Chagall, the Matisse Museum, or take the train to Antibes or Cannes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Genoa

    From the French Riviera to the Italian Riviera

    Drive along the Lower Corniche Road to Monaco for a guided tour of the Old Town, the Palais du Prince (Changing of the Guards) and the Monte-Carlo Casino. Continue via the medieval village of Èze and along the Italian border to Genoa.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Genoa

    Cruising to Portofino & San Fruttuoso Abbey

    A cruise to Portofino with a guided walk and lunch overlooking the harbor, then sail to San Fruttuoso to see the 10th-century Benedictine abbey (Santa Margherita visited instead in poor weather).

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11railovernight: Genoa

    To the Cinque Terre by rail

    Train to the Cinque Terre villages, visiting Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Monterosso with a local guide, then return to Genoa for a final group dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, the tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for the onward flight home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walk through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, ending at La Boqueria market with a drinks tasting.
  • Day 3Train journey to Carcassonne passing the French Pyrenees; guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage walled city including Château Comtal.
  • Day 4Private tour of 17th-century Château de Pennautier with wine-cellar tasting and four-course lunch with wine pairings.
  • Day 10Boat cruise to Portofino with guided walk and lunch overlooking the harbor; sail to San Fruttuoso to view the 10th-century Benedictine abbey.
  • Day 11Train to Cinque Terre with local guide visiting Riomaggiore, Vernazzo, and Monterosso, then return to Genoa for a final group dinner.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 11 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes standard-class rail travel on local rail networks between Barcelona, Carcassonne, Nîmes, and Genoa; a train excursion to Cinque Terre; and optional trains from Nice to Antibes or Cannes on the free day.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a professional Tour Manager from start to finish. Travelers move as a group with guided tours in most cities, though Day 8 in Nice and Day 12 departure offer free time.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of $3,499 USD includes 11 nights in four-star hotels, standard-class rail and coach travel, luggage transfers, 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners, and all guided tours and excursions.
Which hotels are used?
Catalonia Atenas Hotel in Barcelona (2 nights), Hotel de Roi & Spa by Sowell in Carcassonne (2 nights), Le Grand Hotel Dieu in Nîmes (2 nights), DoubleTree by Hilton Nice Centre in Nice (2 nights), and either NH Collection Genova Centro or NH Collection Genoa Marina in Genoa (3 nights).
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates this Mobility Rating 3, involving walking tours through medieval cities, hill walking in villages, and boat excursions. It is not suitable for travelers with significant mobility restrictions.
When does the tour depart?
The operator's website does not list specific departure dates in the evidence provided; contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm availability.

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