How much does it cost?

From £3,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,726 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 from London St Pancras to Paris and First Class rail from Paris to Barcelona. An optional rail return from Rome to Chambéry and onwards to London is available as an upgrade.

Which cruise ship is used?

The Celebrity Equinox, with a 10-night cruise through the eastern Mediterranean calling at Valletta, Athens, Kuşadası, Santorini, Mykonos, and Olympia.

What meals are included?

Breakfast each day, 9 lunches, and 11 dinners onboard or at hotels. A Classic Drinks Package with non-alcoholic drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and frozen drinks is included.

Are port excursions included?

No. Optional excursions at each port are operated by Celebrity Cruises and are pre-bookable directly with the cruise line at additional cost. You may also explore independently.

Is this tour escorted?

Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London throughout the journey.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Mediterranean Gems Cruise: Malta & Greek Islands

15-day rail and cruise from London to Mediterranean islands via Barcelona

Great Rail Journeys operates this 15-day escorted journey combining rail and cruise travel through Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. You begin by train, taking Eurostar Plus and First Class rail from London through Paris to Barcelona, where you spend two days exploring the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's Sagrada Família with a local guide. On Day 3 you embark on the Celebrity Equinox for a 10-night cruise, calling at six destinations: Valletta in Malta, a golden UNESCO World Heritage capital with Caravaggio artworks; Athens, birthplace of western civilization; Kuşadası in Turkey, gateway to the ancient ruins of Ephesus; the sun-drenched Cycladic islands of Santorini and Mykonos with their white villages and blue-domed churches; and Olympia, the sacred site of the ancient Olympic Games. Throughout the cruise you enjoy five-star service, complimentary Wi-Fi, spa and dining facilities, plus a drinks package. The tour concludes with breakfast in Rome before you either fly home to London or take an optional rail return via Chambéry. Great Rail Journeys includes accommodation, most meals, the Tour Manager, and sightseeing in Barcelona and Rome.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £500 since 4 Jul, to £3,499.

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

Port excursions at each Mediterranean stop are optional and charged separately; they are pre-bookable through the cruise line, not included in the tour price.
The return leg offers a choice: a flight from Rome to London Heathrow (included) or a rail return via Chambéry with an additional hotel night (optional upgrade, extra charge applies).
Single supplement pricing is high: from GBP 3,799 versus GBP 2,999 for a double, reflecting the 27% premium typical of cruise-based tours.
Island access at Santorini and Mykonos uses smaller boats; tender services depend on sea conditions and port facilities.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Barcelona
To Barcelona by First Class rail
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and join the Eurostar to Paris, travelling Plus class with a light meal at your seat. Continue by First Class rail to Barcelona, arriving late evening, and check in to a four-star hotel for two nights.
Day 2overnight: Barcelona
Sightseeing in Barcelona
Free morning to explore near the hotel, then an afternoon sightseeing tour by coach and on foot taking in the exterior of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família and a stroll down La Rambla. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Starting our journey into the eastern Mediterranean
Transfer to the port in the afternoon to embark the cruise ship, departing this evening to begin a 10-night voyage, sailing overnight towards Malta.
Day 4overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Sailing to Valletta, Malta
A day at sea en route to Malta, with time to enjoy the ship's leisure facilities, bars and restaurants.
Day 5overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
A day to explore Valletta
Dock in Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital, Valletta, with free time or optional pre-bookable excursions to Mdina, the Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk village or St John's Co-Cathedral.
Day 6overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Towards the Aegean to Athens
Cruise across the Adriatic and Ionian Sea overnight, skimming the Greek mainland before entering the Aegean Sea towards Piraeus, the port of Athens.
Day 7overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Welcome to Athens
Dock in Athens with a choice of pre-bookable excursions or independent exploration of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Walk and the National Archaeological Museum.
Day 8overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Kuşadasi, gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus
Dock at Kuşadasi, Turkey, with the option of a walking tour to the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus, including the Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian and Temple of Artemis.
Day 9overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
The island gem of Santorini
Arrive at Santorini; tender ashore to Fira via cable car or steps, with free time to explore the caldera-top town, wineries, and the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri.
Day 10overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
A free day on magical Mykonos
Tender ashore to Mykonos town for free time among its cobblestone streets and boutiques, with the option of a ferry to the sacred island of Delos.
Day 11overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
The ancient site of Olympia
Reach the UNESCO World Heritage site of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, to explore the stadium, Temple of Zeus and Archaeological Museum independently or on a guided tour, before sailing towards Civitavecchia.
Day 12overnight: Onboard Celebrity Equinox
At sea, journeying to Rome
A final day at sea sailing the Adriatic along Italy's east coast, with time to enjoy the ship's facilities before the final dinner on board.
Day 13rail
Homeward bound
Dock at Civitavecchia and disembark after breakfast, transferring by coach to Rome airport for the flight back to London. Guests who opted for the rail return instead spend the day sightseeing in Rome with an overnight 4-Star hotel stay before continuing home by rail via Chambéry and Paris on Days 14-15.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Journey from London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus to Paris with a light meal served at your seat, continuing by First Class rail to Barcelona, arriving late evening.
Day 2Afternoon coach and walking tour of Barcelona including La Sagrada Família and La Rambla with a local guide.
Day 5Arrive at Valletta, Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital, with optional excursions to St John's Co-Cathedral featuring Caravaggio artworks or the Blue Grotto.
Day 9Arrive at Santorini; smaller boats transport you to Skala, reached by cable car or 587 steps to explore Fira's churches and cafés or visit the cliffside village of Oia.
Day 11Visit Olympia, UNESCO World Heritage site and birthplace of the Olympic Games, with access to the Archaeological Museum and ancient ruins.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
2 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation in Barcelona
10-night cruise onboard the Celebrity Equinox with five-star service and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel
Flight from Rome to London Heathrow
Eurostar light meal
Breakfast each day, 9 lunches, 11 dinners
Classic Drinks Package including selected non-alcoholic drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks and wines by the glass

Not included

Excursions offered in each port (operated by Celebrity Cruises, optional and chargeable)
Tips
Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,726 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 from London St Pancras to Paris and First Class rail from Paris to Barcelona. An optional rail return from Rome to Chambéry and onwards to London is available as an upgrade.
Which cruise ship is used?: The Celebrity Equinox, with a 10-night cruise through the eastern Mediterranean calling at Valletta, Athens, Kuşadası, Santorini, Mykonos, and Olympia.
What meals are included?: Breakfast each day, 9 lunches, and 11 dinners onboard or at hotels. A Classic Drinks Package with non-alcoholic drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and frozen drinks is included.
Are port excursions included?: No. Optional excursions at each port are operated by Celebrity Cruises and are pre-bookable directly with the cruise line at additional cost. You may also explore independently.
Is this tour escorted?: Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London throughout the journey.