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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Simply Tuscany

Escorted rail journey from London through Tuscany's art cities and spa towns

Illustration of Simply Tuscany

Great Rail Journeys' Simply Tuscany is a 9-day escorted tour departing London and ending in Saint-Raphaël on France's Côte d'Azur. You travel by Eurostar to Paris, then TGV through the French Alps to Turin for one night before heading south by regional rail into Tuscany. The heart of the tour is a 6-night base in Montecatini Terme, a UNESCO World Heritage spa resort, from which day trips by rail and coach reach Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Siena. Days combine guided experiences with substantial free time: a local guide walks you through Florence's Renaissance heart and shows you Siena's medieval Piazza del Campo, but afternoons and several full days are yours to explore at leisure, dine independently, or rest at the hotel spa. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the entire journey. Breakfast is provided daily; six dinners are included. This tour suits first-time rail travellers, history-lovers drawn to Renaissance art and medieval cities, and couples seeking a base-hotel model with guided structure and independent flexibility.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size can reach 40 people, which may limit intimacy on shared transport and in guided tours.
  • Two dinners (days 3 and 6) are not included; you dine independently in Montecatini Terme those evenings.
  • Hotels in Turin and Saint-Raphaël are described only as 'overnight hotels'; specific names and ratings are not confirmed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin overnight

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. Changing trains in the French capital, you continue by rail to Turin. Setting out at high speed, after passing Lyon the train slows to a more leisurely pace through the French Alps. Stopping en route at Chambéry, you arrive in Turin station and transfer to accommodation for the night. Enjoy your first dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    A morning in Turin, to Montecatini Terme

    There is a free morning to explore Turin independently after breakfast. Places to visit include the Fiat factory car museum, the 16th-century Castello del Valentino, the public park on the banks of the River Po, or the city's cathedral where the Shroud of Turin is located. Continue south by rail towards Florence, then change trains into typical Tuscan landscapes before reaching the historic spa resort of Montecatini Terme. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Montecatini Terme

    Exploring Montecatini Terme at leisure

    Your first full day in Montecatini Terme is at leisure. Visit the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio drinking spa, explore the Old Town of Montecatini Alto via the funicular, or simply relax. Tonight you are free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    A day trip to Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance'

    A memorable excursion by train to Florence. A local guide introduces the city from Santa Maria Novella square, past the Duomo, through the medieval centre to the Palazzo Vecchio, past the Uffizi gallery courtyard, ending at the Ponte Vecchio. The afternoon is free to explore Florence independently - consider the Uffizi or Accademia galleries (book ahead), Boboli gardens, or the Mercato di San Lorenzo. Return to Montecatini Terme by rail before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    The gems of Lucca, and iconic Pisa

    Set out by rail to the medieval walled city of Lucca for a free morning to explore on foot. Look out for frescoed churches, the Piazza Anfiteatro (once a Roman amphitheatre), and the baroque-style garden at Palazzo Pfanner. Continue by rail to Pisa to explore the Field of Miracles with the iconic Leaning Tower and white marble Duomo, plus the medieval Old Town. Return by train to Montecatini Terme before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montecatini Terme

    A day to relax or explore by rail

    A day at leisure. Explore Montecatini Terme including the Palazzo Comunale hosting the Mo.C.A gallery, or take an independent rail trip to another Tuscan town - the coastal resort of Viareggio (50 minutes) or Bologna (2 hours). Tonight you are free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Montecatini Terme

    Exploring the unique sights of Siena

    An excursion by coach to ancient Siena. A local guide takes you to the church of San Domenico, past the magnificent Duomo, and to the incredible Piazza del Campo - a grand shell-shaped piazza and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval squares, site of the world-famous Palio horse races held every July and August. Free time to continue sightseeing, enjoy Chianti or gelato in the piazza, or sample local Pecorino cheese and finocchiona salami. Return by coach to the hotel for the last dinner in Montecatini.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Saint-Raphaël

    Overnight in Saint-Raphaël, Côte d'Azur

    Say farewell to Tuscany as you transfer by coach to the coastal resort of Viareggio. From here take the train to Ventimiglia, following the scenic coastline, then travel by coach into France to the attractive resort of Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d'Azur for an overnight stay with a three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, leave coastal Saint-Raphaël and join the train to Paris. In the French capital take the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, where your holiday draws to a close.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras for Paris, then the TGV continues south through the French Alps toward Turin, slowing to a leisurely pace as Alpine scenery unfolds.
  • Day 4A guided walking tour in Florence leads from Santa Maria Novella station past the Duomo through the medieval centre, past the Uffizi gallery courtyard to the Ponte Vecchio, with the afternoon free to visit galleries or the Boboli gardens.
  • Day 5Regional rail connects Montecatini Terme to Lucca for a free morning exploring the walled medieval city, then onward by train to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and white marble Duomo in the Field of Miracles.
  • Day 7A coach excursion reaches Siena, where a local guide tours the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval squares and the site of the Palio horse races held each July and August.
  • Day 8The train from Viareggio to Ventimiglia follows the scenic Mediterranean coastline before a coach transfer to Saint-Raphaël on the Côte d'Azur.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 6 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 1,499 covers Eurostar Standard Class, TGV rail from Paris to Turin, regional rail throughout Tuscany, and the train return from Saint-Raphaël to Paris and Eurostar to London. Coach travel is also included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London St Pancras through to the end of the tour. Local guides join in Florence and Siena.
How many nights are in Montecatini Terme?
Six nights in the Hotel Columbia Wellness & Spa, a 4-star property in the spa resort.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Dinners are included on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 (six dinners total). Days 3 and 6 you dine independently.
What is the group size?
The maximum group size is 40 people.
Is there time to explore cities independently?
Yes. Day 2 has a free morning in Turin. Day 3 is entirely at leisure in Montecatini Terme. Day 4 includes a guided introduction to Florence followed by free afternoon time. Day 5 offers free time in both Lucca and Pisa. Day 6 is at leisure with options to explore Montecatini or take an independent rail trip to Viareggio or Bologna.

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