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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Lucca and Delightful Tuscany by First Class Rail on daytime trains

Seven days from London to Milan through Tuscany by first-class rail

Illustration of Lucca and Delightful Tuscany by First Class Rail on daytime trains

Planet Rail's Lucca and Delightful Tuscany journey offers a seven-day self-guided rail holiday from London to Milan, combining daytime first-class train travel with a four-night base in the medieval walled city of Lucca. The trip departs London St Pancras via Eurostar, crosses France, and enters Italy by high-speed train through Turin, descending to the Ligurian coast before turning inland to Lucca. From this central Tuscan location, you have three full days to explore the city's cobbled streets, churches, and distinctive Guinigi Tower at your own pace. The itinerary also offers optional day-train excursions to Florence's renaissance museums and galleries, Pisa's leaning tower, or the five clifftop villages of Cinque Terre. Before returning to London, you spend a night in Milan to visit its Gothic cathedral and cultural landmarks. This holiday suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer flexibility and history-rich destinations over guided tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • Two rail segments operate in Standard Class: Viareggio to Lucca and Lucca to Florence, despite the trip's first-class focus
  • The package is self-guided with no escorted activities; you arrange your own exploration of each city
  • Attractions such as the Guinigi Tower in Lucca are payable locally and not included
  • Planet Rail publishes no specific dates or departure windows; confirm availability directly

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    By rail to Italy

    Your holiday begins as you arrive at London St Pancras International. Board the Eurostar and travel to Paris, enjoying the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at Paris Gare du Nord your private taxi transfer takes you across the city, where you connect with your onward high-speed train to Turin in Italy. Here you spend tonight at the very highly-rated Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucca

    Turin along the coast to Lucca

    After breakfast, why not take a whistle-stop tour of Turin, with attractions including the Mole Antonelliana, the Palatine Towers, Turin Cathedral, the Palazzo Reale and the Botanical Gardens. Later you depart from Turin on the train to Viareggio, admiring wonderful views along the glorious Ligurian coast. In Viareggio you change trains and continue inland (in Standard Class on this local service) through the beautiful scenery of Tuscany before reaching Lucca, for a four-night stay at the charming San Luca Palace Hotel (4 star), superbly located inside the city walls.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lucca

    Exploring Lucca

    You have three full days to explore Lucca and the surrounding area at your leisure. The beautifully preserved medieval heart of Lucca makes it an ideal size for discovery on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets and elegant piazzas, admire one of the numerous churches, or marvel at the city walls. Views of Lucca's terracotta rooftops are best enjoyed from the top of the distinctive Guinigi Tower (payable locally).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lucca

    Exploring Lucca

    Perhaps take the train to Florence, Italy's renaissance capital, to visit the wonderful Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lucca

    Exploring Lucca

    A short rail journey away is Pisa where you can marvel at the world-famous leaning tower, or perhaps head for the five stunning villages that make up the Cinque Terre overlooking the sparkling Ligurian Sea.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Milan

    Lucca to Milan

    Today you bid farewell to Lucca and take the train to Florence (in Standard Class), where you connect with the onward service to Milan and relax in your First Class seat. On arrival at Milan Centrale station you are within easy reach of the stylish Starhotels Anderson (4 star), where you spend tonight. Highlights here include the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the famous 'Teatro alla Scala' opera house; you may even visit Santa Maria della Grazie, home of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' (pre-booking required).

  7. Day 7rail

    Return to London

    Today you begin your journey home as you join the high-speed train back to Paris (from Milan Porta Garibaldi). Your private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar, stretching out and savouring the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service, before returning to London St. Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras International, travel to Paris in Standard Premier Class with meal service, then connect to a high-speed train to Turin
  • Day 2Travel from Turin to Viareggio by train, admiring views along the Ligurian coast, then continue inland by regional train to Lucca
  • Day 4Take an optional train journey to Florence to visit the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo
  • Day 6Travel from Lucca to Florence by Standard Class regional train, then board a high-speed train to Milan in First Class

Included

  • First Class rail travel or its equivalent from London to Lucca and return via Turin and Milan (Standard Premier service on Eurostar; Standard Class only in operation from Viareggio to Lucca, and Lucca to Florence)
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels with breakfast each day, including 1 night in Turin, 4 nights in Lucca, and 1 night in Milan
  • Taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 1,595 includes First Class rail travel (or Standard Premier on Eurostar) from London to Lucca and return via Turin and Milan. Two segments operate in Standard Class: Viareggio to Lucca and Lucca to Florence.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
It is a self-guided tailor-made holiday. There is no tour guide; you explore at your own pace with optional excursions available on request.
What hotels are included?
The Grand Hotel Sitea (5-star) in Turin for 1 night, The San Luca Palace Hotel (4-star) in Lucca for 4 nights, and The Starhotel Anderson (4-star) in Milan for 1 night. All include breakfast daily.
How many days are based in Lucca?
You have 4 nights in Lucca (days 2 to 6), giving three full days to explore the city and surrounding area at leisure.
What is not included?
Meals other than breakfast, local attractions (such as the Guinigi Tower in Lucca), entrance fees, and activities beyond rail travel and hotel accommodation.
Can I visit other places during my stay?
Yes. The itinerary suggests optional day trips by train from Lucca to Florence, Pisa, or the Cinque Terre villages.

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