Search

Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday

Palinuro & the Cilento National Park by First Class rail

First Class rail from London to Palinuro via Turin and Milan

Illustration of Palinuro & the Cilento National Park by First Class rail

Planet Rail's 8-day escorted tour combines First Class rail travel across three countries with a leisurely base in the Cilento National Park on Italy's Tyrrhenian coast. Departing from London, you travel by Eurostar and high-speed trains through Paris and Turin, arriving in Palinuro for five nights at the beachfront Grand Hotel San Pietro. Days in Palinuro are free to spend as you wish: explore the UNESCO-listed national park's coastal caves and ruined fortresses, visit the preserved Doric temples at Paestum, or relax on the hotel's private beach and use the spa. After Palinuro, one night in Milan precedes the return journey on high-speed rail and Eurostar to London. The package suits repeat rail travellers and couples who value First Class comfort and want unstructured time to discover a less-visited region of Italy.

What to know before you look closer

  • Local transfers at Pisciotta/Palinuro station and the return transfer from Palinuro to the station are payable on the day, not included in the price
  • June to August departures are available only for an additional supplement beyond the from-price
  • The itinerary spans three hotel changes; you pack and move on days 1, 2, and 7

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, then high-speed train through France to Turin
  • Day 2First Class regional train south from Naples along the Bay of Naples and Mediterranean coast to Pisciotta/Palinuro station
  • Day 4Visit the Doric Greek temples at Paestum, among the best-preserved monuments of their age in the world
  • Day 7High-speed train from Milan Porta Garibaldi back to Paris, then Eurostar home to London with light meal and drinks

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)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail from London to Palinuro and return via Turin and Milan, plus Eurostar Standard Premier service both ways with light meals and drinks.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London to Paris and Paris to London), TGV high-speed train (Paris to Turin), First Class intercity trains (Turin to Palinuro via Naples, and Palinuro to Milan via Naples), and high-speed train (Milan to Paris).
Is the trip escorted or independent?
It is escorted by Planet Rail, though days 3 to 6 in Palinuro are free days to explore at leisure.
What hotels are included?
Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star) in Turin for 1 night, Grand Hotel San Pietro (4 star) in Palinuro for 5 nights with sea view, and Starhotels Anderson (4 star) in Milan for 1 night. Breakfast is included daily.
When does it run?
Saturdays from late March to late May, early September onwards. June to August departures are available with a supplement.
What is not included?
Local transfers at Palinuro station, single supplement, excursions beyond the rail and accommodation, insurance, and meals other than breakfast and the Eurostar light meals.

Similar journeys