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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rapallo & the Cinque Terre by First Class Rail

Eight-day Italian Riviera rail holiday from London via Turin, Rapallo, and Milan

Illustration of Rapallo & the Cinque Terre by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Rapallo and the Cinque Terre by First Class Rail is an eight-day independent rail holiday that starts in London and ends in Milan. The journey combines Eurostar travel to Paris with a series of high-speed and regional First Class trains that carry you southeast through France and into Italy's Ligurian coast. You spend one night in Turin and one in Milan, but the heart of the trip is five nights based in the seaside town of Rapallo on the Italian Riviera, where pastel houses line palm-shaded streets and a 16th-century castle overlooks the Tigullio Gulf. Four days are left free for you to explore at your own pace: the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre villages lie a short train ride away, as do the upscale fishing village of Portofino, medieval Lucca, the port city of Genoa, and the inland countryside. With no escort and self-arranged local transfers, this tour suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who want European rail comfort without daily group schedules.

What to know before you look closer

  • Station-to-hotel transfers in Italy (Turin, Rapallo, and Milan) are not included; travellers must arrange their own taxi or public transport at local cost.
  • The from-price of £1,695 covers accommodation and rail travel; lunch and dinner expenses during the four free days in Rapallo are separate.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin

    Start at London St Pancras International and travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at Paris Gare du Nord you are transferred by taxi to the Gare de Lyon to continue by high-speed train through France to Turin, then make your own way to the Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rapallo

    Turin to the Italian Riviera

    Enjoy a morning to explore Turin – the arcades to Piazza Castello, the Egyptian Museum and the cathedral, original home of the Shroud of Turin. Later travel First Class by train to the Italian Riviera; on arrival at Rapallo station make your own way to the elegant Hotel Astoria (4 star).

  3. Day 3railovernight: Rapallo

    Discovering Rapallo, Portofino and the Cinque Terre

    Four full days to relax in Rapallo or explore: the 16th-century Castello sul Mare, the Basilica of Santi Gervasio e Protasio, or the cable car to the sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montallegro. Venture to chic Portofino, the five villages of the Cinque Terre by train, medieval Lucca, Pisa, or the bustling port of Genoa.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rapallo

    Discovering Rapallo, Portofino and the Cinque Terre

    Free day to explore Rapallo and the surrounding coastline, with the villages of the Cinque Terre a short train ride away.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rapallo

    Discovering Rapallo, Portofino and the Cinque Terre

    Free day – walk between the Cinque Terre villages, or visit Portofino, Lucca, Pisa or Genoa.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rapallo

    Discovering Rapallo, Portofino and the Cinque Terre

    Final free day on the Italian Riviera – explore hidden inland villages less-frequented by tourists or relax in Rapallo.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Milan

    Rapallo to Milan

    Travel by rail inland to Milan in your comfortable first class seat. On arrival at Milan Centrale walk to the stylish Starhotels Anderson (4 star). Discover the Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Castello Sforzesco, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele arcade, and perhaps Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ at Santa Maria delle Grazie (pre-booking required).

  8. Day 8rail

    Milan to London - Homeward bound

    Join the high-speed train back to Paris; on arrival at the Gare de Lyon a private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord, where you board the Eurostar in Standard Premier with a light meal and drinks, arriving at London St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris at speeds up to 186mph with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier, then transfer by taxi to continue by high-speed train through France to Turin.
  • Day 2Morning exploration of Turin's arcades, Egyptian Museum, and cathedral; afternoon First Class train to the Italian Riviera and arrival at Rapallo.
  • Day 3First of four free days in Rapallo; option to visit the Cinque Terre villages by short train ride, Portofino, medieval Lucca, or the port of Genoa.
  • Day 7Travel inland by First Class rail from Rapallo to Milan; walk to hotel and visit the Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Castello Sforzesco, and the Galleria arcade.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout on daytime trains
  • Eurostar Standard Premier between London St Pancras and Paris with light meal and drinks on board
  • Private taxi transfer between Paris Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon
  • 5 nights at Hotel Astoria (4 star), Rapallo
  • 1 night at Grand Hotel Sitea (5 star), Turin
  • 1 night at Starhotels Anderson (4 star), Milan

Not included

  • Transfers between stations and hotels in Italy (make your own way by taxi or public transport, payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Standard Premier (London-Paris return), high-speed First Class trains Paris-Turin and Turin-Rapallo-Milan, and a private taxi transfer between Paris stations.
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent and tailor-made. There is no escort or guide. You make your own way between stations and hotels in Italy.
How many nights are in Rapallo?
Five nights at Hotel Astoria (4-star). You also stay one night in Turin at Grand Hotel Sitea (5-star) and one night in Milan at Starhotels Anderson (4-star).
How much free time is there?
Four full free days (Days 3-6) based in Rapallo. The itinerary lists the Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genoa, Lucca, and Pisa as day-trip options.
What is not included in the price?
Station-to-hotel transfers in Italy, meals not on trains, entrance fees to attractions, and any travel within Italy outside the scheduled rail legs.

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