The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The French Riviera and Italian Ligurian Coast

The French Riviera and Italian Ligurian Coast, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

An 11-day escorted rail holiday along the French Cote d'Azur and Italian Ligurian coast, taking in Nice, Monaco, Genoa, Pisa, the Cinque Terre and Strasbourg by Eurostar, TGV and Trenitalia.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Nice

    London to Nice by high speed rail

    Travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord before a direct afternoon TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. Arrive in Nice in the evening and check into your hotel, where dinner is served.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nice

    Tramways and leisure in Nice

    A full free day to experience the French Cote d'Azur at your own pace, aided by a complimentary 1-day rover ticket for the local tram network. Dinner is served at the hotel in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nice

    Cote d'Azur scenery at Menton and Monte Carlo

    Travel by train from Nice Ville to the seaside town of Menton, near the Italian border, then continue by train to Monaco to visit its capital, Monte Carlo, famous for its casino and yacht-filled harbour. Return to Nice for a free evening.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Genoa

    Seaside railway trip from Nice to Genoa, Balbi scenic lift in Genoa

    A scenic 3-hour train journey from Nice to Genoa, changing at Ventimiglia, along sandy beaches and the picturesque Ligurian shore. Check into your hotel at Genoa's Piazza Principe station, receive a public transport rover ticket, and ride the Balbi scenic lift (1929). Buffet dinner served at the hotel.

  5. Day 5overnight: Genoa

    Panoramic mountain railways and funiculars of Genoa, seaside splendour at Nervi

    A guided tour on Genoa's historic rack railways and funiculars using the public transport pass, with the afternoon free to explore or visit the seaside esplanade at Nervi. Dinner is served at the hotel.

  6. Day 6overnight: Genoa

    Genoa Old Town, harbour cruise, aquarium and historic ships in the Porto Antico

    A harbour ferry trip from Porto Antico to Molo Archetti, passing ocean liners, with the chance to visit the Aquarium or Maritime Museum with the historic Nazario Sauro submarine. Evening free at leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Genoa

    Train trip to Pisa, visit to the Leaning Tower

    One of the world's most spectacular seaside railway journeys along the Ligurian coast, passing Sestri Levante and Levanto, to Pisa for the Leaning Tower and cathedral, then return to Genoa along the scenic coastal route.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Genoa

    Seaside railway and villages of Cinque Terre

    Travel from Genoa to Monterosso al Mare and onward to Vernazza, hopping on and off to visit all five Cinque Terre villages including Manarola and Riomaggiore. Return to Genoa by direct train from La Spezia. Dinner at the hotel.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Strasbourg

    Rail journey through the Italian hills and Swiss Alps to Strasbourg

    A Trenitalia First Class service from Genoa via Alessandria to Milano Centrale, then a scenic EuroCity train past Swiss lakes and the Alps to Basel, then TER service to Strasbourg for a two-night stay opposite the station. Dinner served at the hotel.

  10. Day 10overnight: Strasbourg

    Scenic river cruise, sightseeing and tramways in Strasbourg

    A 75-minute sightseeing cruise on one of Strasbourg's open-top panoramic riverboats, cruising past timber-framed houses and stately palaces, followed by free time to explore Cathedral Square and the 'Petite France' district.

  11. Day 11rail

    From Strasbourg via Paris to London

    After a free morning, depart Strasbourg on a direct First Class TGV to Paris Est, then transfer to Paris Nord for the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • 10 nights accommodation with breakfast at centrally located, quality hotels
  • 6 Dinners
  • Eurostar Plus travel on Eurostar services
  • First Class travel on French TGV and TER trains, as well as FS Trenitalia InterCity services
  • First Class SBB EuroCity train through the Swiss Alps
  • Standard Class travel on local trains when First Class is not available
  • Complimentary public transport rover tickets in Nice, Genoa and Strasbourg
  • Sightseeing river and canal cruise in Strasbourg
  • Harbour cruise in Genoa
  • Museum and site admissions to all the attractions as detailed in the itinerary
  • The services of a Tour Manager

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