Great Rail Journeys
Gems of Tuscany Tour & Italy, France, Spain Cruise
16 daysfrom $5,741
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Mediterranean Gems Cruise: Malta & Greek Islands
Travel by rail to Barcelona and embark on a First Class sea voyage into the eastern Mediterranean, exploring Valletta, Athens, Ephesus, Santorini, Mykonos and Olympia.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Barcelona
To Barcelona by First Class rail
Journey begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager before joining the Eurostar service to Paris in Plus class with a light meal served at your seat. Continue by First Class rail to Barcelona, arriving late evening. Check in to a stylish four-star hotel near Barcelona's landmarks.
Meals: Light meal (Eurostar)
- Day 2overnight: Barcelona
Sightseeing in Barcelona
Free morning after breakfast to explore. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Barcelona by coach and on foot with a local guide, including the exterior of La Sagrada Família and a stroll down La Rambla. Evening dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
Starting our journey into the eastern Mediterranean
Embarkation day. Transfer to the port and step aboard the Celebrity Equinox. Depart this evening, beginning the 10-night cruise into the eastern Mediterranean, sailing towards Malta overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
Sailing to Valletta, Malta
A day at sea cruising towards Malta. Enjoy the ship's leisure facilities, restaurants, spa, shops and bars. Arrive in Malta's capital Valletta the following morning.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
A day to explore Valletta
Sail into Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital Valletta. Free to join optional excursions (pre-bookable on the ship) including Mdina, the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk, or explore independently. Visit St John's Co-Cathedral with Caravaggio artworks, the National Museum of Archaeology and more.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
Towards the Aegean to Athens
Cruise towards Athens. Enjoy onboard facilities including the spa, shops and salon. Route passes the coast of southern Italy, across the Adriatic and into the Ionian Sea, reaching Piraeus overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
Welcome to Athens
Ship docks in Athens, birthplace of western civilisation. Choice of optional excursions (pre-bookable on the ship) or explore independently. Visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, National Archaeological Museum, Acropolis Museum and the Ancient Walk.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
Kuşadası, gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus
Arrive at the Gulf of Kuşadası, Turkey. Optional walking tour excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus including the archaeological museum, or explore independently. Sites include the Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian and Temple of Artemis. Sail towards Santorini after returning to the ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
The island gem of Santorini
Arrive at Santorini. Smaller boats transport guests to the harbour of Skala below Fira; reach the top by cable car or climb 587 steps. Explore Fira's boutiques, churches and cafés, visit Oia, Pyrgos, Megalochori or the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri. Cruise towards Mykonos overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
A free day on magical Mykonos
Arrive in Mykonos. Transported by smaller boats to Mykonos town to wander cobblestone streets, browse boutiques and craft shops, or relax in cafés. Optional ferry to the sacred isle of Delos (UNESCO World Heritage site). Visit Little Venice in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
The ancient site of Olympia
Cruise the Ionian Sea to Olympia, UNESCO World Heritage site and birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore ruins independently or join a guided tour (pre-bookable on the ship). Visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Reboard ship before dinner and sail towards Civitavecchia, Rome.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Celebrity Equinox (at sea)
At sea, journeying to Rome
Sailing through the Adriatic Sea following the east coast of Italy towards Rome. Last full day at sea – enjoy the Lawn, Fitness Centre or Solarium. Final dinner at sea in the Silhouette restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 13rail
Homeward bound
Dock in Civitavecchia early morning and disembark after breakfast. Transfer by coach to Rome airport and fly back to London Heathrow. *Rail return option: spend the day in Rome with a guided sightseeing tour and coffee stop near the Trevi Fountain, then overnight at a 4-star hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 14railovernight: Chambéry (rail return option only)
Rail return option – Rome to Chambéry (optional)
For guests who opted to return by rail: travel by First Class rail from Rome to Chambéry, France, for an overnight stay.
- Day 15rail
Rail return option – Chambéry to London (optional)
For guests who opted to return by rail: continue by rail from Chambéry to Paris and then London.
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 2 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation (Barcelona)
- 10-night cruise onboard the Celebrity Equinox
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Plus (Plus class) travel London St Pancras to Paris
- First Class rail travel Paris to Barcelona
- Flight from Rome to London Heathrow
- Eurostar light meal
- Breakfast each day
- 9 lunches
- 11 dinners
- Classic Drinks Package (selected non-alcoholic drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks and wines by the glass)
Not included
- Excursions in each port (operated by Celebrity Cruises, optional and chargeable, bookable directly with the cruise line)
- Tips (can be added pre-departure or paid on board)
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
