How much does it cost?

From £4,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,753 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The itinerary includes First Class rail travel from Madrid to Seville, Granada to Córdoba, and Córdoba to Barcelona, plus all coach transfers. Train travel covers roughly 38 percent of the trip's active travel days.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

The first nine nights (Madrid through Barcelona) are escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who guides sightseeing tours and group activities. The 11-night Azamara cruise is independent exploration at each port, with optional paid excursions available onboard.

Which hotels are used?

The escorted tour uses Hotel Catalonia Gran Via in Madrid (2 nights), Hotel Casa Romana in Seville (2 nights), Palacio de Santa Ines in Granada (2 nights), Hotel Hesperia in Córdoba (1 night), and Hotel Catalonia Gracia in Barcelona (2 nights). The cruise is onboard Azamara Journey.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included every day. During the escorted tour, three dinners are included; other dinners are independent and at your expense. On the cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day, along with complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits, and soft drinks.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour & ocean cruise

Iconic Spain Tour & Italy, Croatia, Slovenia Cruise

Great Rail Journeys operates this 21-day journey that merges Spanish rail travel with a Mediterranean cruise. The first nine nights take you by First Class train and coach through the heart of Spain, starting in Madrid with guided tours of the Prado district and El Retiro park. You travel south to Seville to explore the Gothic cathedral and historic Santa Cruz quarter, then to Granada for a guided tour of the Alhambra palace, its intricate plasterwork and gardens, before continuing to Córdoba's Mezquita mosque-cathedral and the Jewish Quarter. After two nights in Barcelona with a private dinner at a 17th-century Catalan farmhouse, you board the five-star Azamara Journey cruise ship for 11 nights visiting Marseille, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi, Kotor, Dubrovnik, and Venice. Each port offers independent exploration, with Dubrovnik's city walls, Kotor's Bay surrounded by mountains, and the coastal charm of Amalfi among the highlights. All meals on the cruise, complimentary beverages, and onboard entertainment are included. This trip suits history lovers, luxury travellers, and couples seeking a blend of guided cultural immersion and independent coastal discovery.

Price history

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

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 rail portion accounts for about one-third of the 21 days; the majority is spent on the cruise ship.
Optional excursions and spa treatments onboard the cruise are payable separately, as are pre-booking fees for the Colosseum and Vatican.
Several free evenings on the escorted tour require you to arrange and pay for your own dinner.
Only one departure is scheduled: April 2027.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Madrid
Flying to Madrid
Meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow for the flight to Madrid, checking in to a central hotel on Gran Via for two nights.
Day 2overnight: Madrid
Exploring historic Madrid
Guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot, taking in El Retiro park and the Palacio Real, with free time to visit museums or plazas.
Day 3railovernight: Seville
Uncovering Seville on a guided tour
First Class rail into Andalucía to Seville for a two-night stay, with an afternoon guided tour of the Santa Cruz district and the Gothic cathedral, followed by dinner.
Day 4overnight: Seville
A free day in Seville
Free day to explore Seville independently, including the Plaza de España, the Real Alcázar, or an optional flamenco show.
Day 5railovernight: Granada
The Moorish city of Granada
Train to Granada for a two-night stay, with a sightseeing tour of the Albaicín Quarter and free time to explore.
Day 6overnight: Granada
Experiencing Granada's Alhambra
Guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace and the Generalife gardens, followed by an authentic Andalucían dinner with views of the illuminated Alhambra.
Day 7overnight: Córdoba
A guided tour of Córdoba and La Mezquita
Coach to Córdoba for a guided tour including the Roman Bridge, the Mezquita mosque-cathedral and the historic Jewish Quarter.
Day 8railovernight: Barcelona
Arrival in Barcelona
First Class high-speed rail to Barcelona, checking in to the hotel with a free afternoon and evening to explore independently.
Day 9overnight: Barcelona
Touring Barcelona & a private dinner
Guided tour of Barcelona including the Sagrada Família exterior, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, followed by dinner at a 17th-century Catalan farmhouse.
Day 10overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Boarding your cruise ship in Barcelona
Transfer to the Azamara Journey in Barcelona, say farewell to the Tour Manager, and set sail towards France.
Day 11overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Exploring Marseille in southern France
Full day docked in Marseille to explore Le Vieux Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde, or Le Panier.
Day 12overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Discovering the glamour of Monte Carlo
Explore Monte Carlo at leisure, including the Monte Carlo Casino, Port Hercule and Monaco-Ville.
Day 13overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Arriving in artistic Florence
Dock in Livorno for a day exploring Florence, including the Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
Day 14overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Uncovering Italy's capital
Day in Rome exploring the Colosseum, Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain.
Day 15overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
A day in coastal Sorrento
Explore Sorrento's historic centre, artisan boutiques and viewpoints over the Bay of Naples.
Day 16overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
The beautiful town of Amalfi
Explore Amalfi at leisure, including the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea and the Cloister of Paradise.
Day 17overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
At sea towards Montenegro
A full day at sea to enjoy the ship's facilities, including the pool, spa and onboard entertainment.
Day 18overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
The historic city of Kotor
Sail into the Bay of Kotor to explore the old town, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, and the Castle of San Giovanni.
Day 19overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Sightseeing in Dubrovnik
Explore the walled city of Dubrovnik, including the Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral, the city walls, and optionally the Mount Srđ cable car.
Day 20overnight: Azamara Journey (cruise)
Exploring charming Koper
Explore Koper, Slovenia, including the Praetorian Palace and Koper Cathedral.
Day 21
Homeward bound
Disembark the cruise ship in Venice and transfer to the airport for the flight back to London Heathrow.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Travel by First Class rail into Andalucía, then explore Seville's Gothic cathedral and historic Santa Cruz district on a guided tour.
Day 6Visit the UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace with its carved wooden ceilings, mosaics, and plasterwork, followed by an authentic Andalucían dinner with views of the illuminated palace.
Day 9Dine at a private 17th-century Catalan farmhouse outside Barcelona, enjoying traditional dishes in a private room.
Day 18Sail into the Bay of Kotor surrounded by towering mountains and fjord-like waters, then explore the old town's cobbled streets and Castle of San Giovanni.
Day 19Walk the famous city walls of Dubrovnik for views over rooftops and the Adriatic harbour.

Included

Expertise of a GRJ UK Tour Manager from Madrid to Barcelona
9 nights' hotel accommodation
11-night cruise onboard Azamara Journey with five-star service
First & Standard Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Madrid, Venice to London Heathrow
Breakfast each day of the escorted tour, 3 dinners
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
Complimentary AzAmazing experiences
Tips & gratuities included onboard Azamara Journey

Not included

Offshore excursions payable onboard Azamara Journey
Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,753 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The itinerary includes First Class rail travel from Madrid to Seville, Granada to Córdoba, and Córdoba to Barcelona, plus all coach transfers. Train travel covers roughly 38 percent of the trip's active travel days.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: The first nine nights (Madrid through Barcelona) are escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who guides sightseeing tours and group activities. The 11-night Azamara cruise is independent exploration at each port, with optional paid excursions available onboard.
Which hotels are used?: The escorted tour uses Hotel Catalonia Gran Via in Madrid (2 nights), Hotel Casa Romana in Seville (2 nights), Palacio de Santa Ines in Granada (2 nights), Hotel Hesperia in Córdoba (1 night), and Hotel Catalonia Gracia in Barcelona (2 nights). The cruise is onboard Azamara Journey.
What meals are included?: Breakfast is included every day. During the escorted tour, three dinners are included; other dinners are independent and at your expense. On the cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day, along with complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits, and soft drinks.