Great Rail Journeys
Venice Simplon Orient Express and Classic Italian Cities
8 daysfrom $6,804
Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday
Palinuro & the Cilento National Park by First Class rail
Escape to southern Italy's hidden gem, Palinuro, with a scenic first-class rail journey through the breathtaking Cilento region.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Turin – Grand Hotel Sitea
By rail to Turin
Arrive at St Pancras International station in London. Travel by Eurostar to Paris in Standard Premier Class (1st class for leisure travellers) with light meal and drinks. Transfer by private taxi from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, then continue by high-speed train through France to Turin, Italy. Make your own way to the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star).
Meals: Lunch/light meal on Eurostar
- Day 2railovernight: Palinuro – Grand Hotel San Pietro
Turin to Cilento National Park
Optional whistle-stop tour of Turin – stroll under the galleried shopping arcades to Piazza Castello or visit the cathedral, original home of the Shroud of Turin. Return to the station and take the First Class train to Naples, then continue by rail along the Bay of Naples and down the Mediterranean coast to Pisciotta/Palinuro station. Short transfer (payable locally) to Palinuro and the Grand Hotel San Pietro.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Palinuro – Grand Hotel San Pietro
Discovering Palinuro and Cilento National Park
Free day to explore Palinuro and the surrounding area. Stroll through leafy lanes, visit cafés and restaurants, or relax on the hotel's private pebble beach. Explore the Cilento National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) including coastal caves ('blue cave', 'blood grotto'), ruined fortresses, woodland areas and dramatic valleys.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Palinuro – Grand Hotel San Pietro
Discovering Palinuro and Cilento National Park
Another free day to explore. Visit the picturesque hilltop town of Centola, or San Severino – one of Italy's abandoned villages. Alternatively, visit the famous Doric Greek Temples at Paestum, some of the best-preserved monuments of their age in the world.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Palinuro – Grand Hotel San Pietro
Discovering Palinuro and Cilento National Park
Continue exploring Palinuro and the Cilento National Park at leisure. The hotel can organise boat trips from the beach to explore the stunning coastline. The hotel's spa offers personalised treatments, sauna and Turkish bath.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6overnight: Palinuro – Grand Hotel San Pietro
Discovering Palinuro and Cilento National Park
Final full day in Palinuro. Enjoy the town, beaches, national park or hotel facilities at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Milan – Starhotels Anderson
Palinuro to Milan
Leave Palinuro and transfer back to the station (payable locally). Take the train northwards to Milan via a change in Naples. On arrival at Milan Centrale, walk to the Starhotels Anderson (4 star), just a few hundred metres from the station. Explore Milan: the Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuel, and optionally the church of Santa Maria della Grazie to see Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' (pre-booking required).
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
Board the high-speed train from Milan Porta Garibaldi back to Paris. Private taxi transfer to Gare du Nord. Join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras International with light meal and drinks included in Standard Premier service.
Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar
Included
- First Class rail travel from London to Palinuro and return via Turin and Milan
- Standard Premier service on Eurostar (including light meal and drinks)
- 7 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day
- 5 nights in a sea view double room at the Grand Hotel San Pietro (4 star) in Palinuro
- Overnight stay at the Grand Hotel Sitea in Turin
- Overnight stay at the Starhotels Anderson in Milan
- Private taxi transfers in Paris
Not included
- Single supplement (applicable)
- Local transfers at Pisciotta/Palinuro station (payable locally)
- Local transfer back to station from Palinuro (payable locally)
- Additional excursions
- Cancellation, medical and travel insurance
- June to August departures (available for a supplement)
