How much does it cost?

From £4,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,807 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. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus First Class from London St Pancras to Paris, First Class rail from Paris to Turin, and regional rail from Turin to Desenzano on Lake Garda. All other transport (coach, cruise, and the return flight) is also included.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

The Lake Garda portion (Days 1-5) is fully escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who accompanies the group. Once you board the Azamara Onward in Venice (Day 5), you are on an independent cruise; the Tour Manager departs.

What meals are included?

During the escorted tour: breakfast each day, plus three dinners. During the nine-night cruise: all breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, plus complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits, and soft drinks throughout.

Which cruise ship is this?

The Azamara Onward, a small-ship cruise vessel offering five-star service, outdoor pool, spa, gym, multiple dining venues, lounges, and nightly onboard entertainment.

What is not included?

Offshore excursions at cruise ports, spa treatments onboard, premium drinks package upgrade, speciality dining, and flight upgrades are payable extras.

When does this trip run?

One departure is confirmed for September 2027. Great Rail Journeys may offer regional departures from UK stations; enquire when booking.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour & ocean cruise

Lake Garda Tour & Montenegro, Croatia Cruise

Great Rail Journeys combines a four-night escorted Lake Garda tour with a nine-night luxury cruise aboard the Azamara Onward, spanning 14 days from London to Athens. The journey opens with First Class rail travel: Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras through Paris to Turin, then regional rail to the shores of Lake Garda. Over four days on the lake, you enjoy a guided tour of Verona's Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony, a wine tasting and traditional dinner at a family-run Valpolicella winery, and an exclusive tour of the neo-Gothic villa and gardens on Isola del Garda. On Day 5, you board the Azamara Onward in Venice and sail through the Adriatic, calling at historic Croatian ports including Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Korčula, and Dubrovnik, plus Montenegro's dramatic Bay of Kotor. Throughout, all meals, beverages, onboard entertainment, and gratuities are included. This trip suits luxury-focused couples and groups who value guided cultural experiences combined with the ease of small-ship cruising.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 4 Jul, to £4,299.

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

Hotels on the Lake Garda portion are described as 4-star but not named individually; confirm the specific property when booking.
Offshore excursions at cruise ports are payable onboard and not included in the base price.
Only one departure is listed: September 2027.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Turin
London to Turin by First Class rail
Meet the Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris in Plus class with a light meal, then continue by First Class rail to Turin, checking in to the hotel for dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Desenzano
Arrival in Lake Garda
Time at leisure in Turin, then travel by rail to Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda, settling into the hotel before dinner.
Day 3overnight: Desenzano
Sailing to Isola del Garda
Free time in the morning, then a cruise across Lake Garda to Isola del Garda for a guided tour of the neo-Gothic villa and gardens, with a drink on the terrace overlooking the lake.
Day 4overnight: Desenzano
Touring Verona & dining in Valpolicella
A guided tour of Verona taking in Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena, with free time over lunch, followed by an afternoon at a family-run agriturismo in the Valpolicella hills for a wine tasting and dinner.
Day 5overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Boarding your cruise ship in Venice
Travel as a group to Venice port, say farewell to the Tour Manager, and transfer to the Azamara Onward cruise ship, settling into your stateroom and exploring the onboard facilities.
Day 6overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Opatija, the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'
Arrive in the Croatian coastal town of Opatija, with time to explore the promenade and the Maiden with the Seagull statue, or join an optional excursion payable locally.
Day 7overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Uncovering the spirit of Zadar
Explore Zadar's Old Town, the Sea Organ and the promenade with views of nearby islands.
Day 8overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Exploring Šibenik, Croatia's oldest coastal town
Dock at Šibenik, exploring the medieval Cathedral of St James and the 14th-century Prince's Palace.
Day 9overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
A day in Split, Diocletian's ancient capital
Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Split, built around the 4th-century Diocletian's Palace.
Day 10overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Medieval island town of Korčula
Explore the historic streets of Korčula, including the 15th-century cathedral and the rumoured birthplace of Marco Polo.
Day 11overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
The walled city of Dubrovnik
Dock in Dubrovnik, exploring the Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral, the city walls, or take the cable car up Mount Srđ.
Day 12overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
Kotor and its scenic bay
Sail into the Bay of Kotor, exploring the old town, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and the Castle of San Giovanni.
Day 13overnight: Onboard Azamara Onward
At sea towards Athens
A full day at sea sailing towards Greece, enjoying the ship's facilities including the sundeck, pool, spa and onboard entertainment.
Day 14
Homeward bound
Arrive at the final port of Piraeus, disembark and transfer to Athens airport for the flight home to London Heathrow or a regional airport.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Day 1: Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus First Class, travel through France by First Class rail to Turin, and settle in for dinner at the hotel.
Day 3Day 3: Cruise across Lake Garda to Isola del Garda for a guided tour of the neo-Gothic villa and gardens, then relax with a drink on the terrace overlooking the lake.
Day 4Day 4: Tour Verona including Juliet's famous balcony and the Roman Arena, then dine at a traditional winery in Valpolicella's hills with local wine pairings.
Day 11Day 11: Dock in Dubrovnik and walk its ancient stone streets, explore the Rector's Palace and Cathedral, or ascend the city walls for views over the turquoise Adriatic.
Day 12Day 12: Sail into the Bay of Kotor surrounded by towering mountains and fjord-like waters; explore the old town's maze of cobbled streets and climb to the Castle of San Giovanni.

Included

Expertise of a GRJ UK Tour Manager from London to Venice
4 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation; regional departures available
9-night cruise onboard Azamara Onward with five-star service onboard
Eurostar Plus, First Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Flight from Athens to London Heathrow
Eurostar Light Meal; 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 Onward; complimentary AzAmazing experiences
Tips & gratuities included onboard Azamara Onward

Not included

Offshore excursions payable onboard Azamara Onward

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,807 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. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus First Class from London St Pancras to Paris, First Class rail from Paris to Turin, and regional rail from Turin to Desenzano on Lake Garda. All other transport (coach, cruise, and the return flight) is also included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: The Lake Garda portion (Days 1-5) is fully escorted by a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager who accompanies the group. Once you board the Azamara Onward in Venice (Day 5), you are on an independent cruise; the Tour Manager departs.
What meals are included?: During the escorted tour: breakfast each day, plus three dinners. During the nine-night cruise: all breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, plus complimentary beer, wine, selected spirits, and soft drinks throughout.
Which cruise ship is this?: The Azamara Onward, a small-ship cruise vessel offering five-star service, outdoor pool, spa, gym, multiple dining venues, lounges, and nightly onboard entertainment.
What is not included?: Offshore excursions at cruise ports, spa treatments onboard, premium drinks package upgrade, speciality dining, and flight upgrades are payable extras.
When does this trip run?: One departure is confirmed for September 2027. Great Rail Journeys may offer regional departures from UK stations; enquire when booking.