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Rail Tours (rail-tours.co.uk) · Train Tour

The Italian Riviera

Nine-day escorted rail and boat journey from Turin to Nice along the Italian Riviera.

Illustration of The Italian Riviera

Rail Tours offers a 9-day escorted holiday that combines Eurostar rail travel with six nights based in Chiavari, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera. Starting from London St Pancras, you travel by train through Paris to Turin for one night, then transfer to your hotel on the Ligurian coast. From Chiavari, daily excursions reach Cinque Terre's villages, the elegant harbour town of Portofino by boat, Sestri Levante's twin bays, and Genoa's museums and waterfront restaurants. The final leg takes you to Nice for a night on the French Riviera before the return Eurostar journey to London. The tour suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and food-focused visitors who prefer a stable base to daily hotel changes while still exploring varied coastal and city destinations.

What to know before you look closer

  • Six nights in one hotel (Chiavari) means limited change of scenery, though day trips branch out to nearby Riviera towns.
  • The pack does not list which local trains or boats are used for day excursions; confirm transport details with Rail Tours before booking.
  • Overnight train travel is on Eurostar (London to Paris to Turin and return); no sleeper accommodation details are provided for those segments.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    To Turin

    Take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris then on to Turin for one night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Chiavari

    Turin to Chiavari

    After a free morning in Turin, transfer to your hotel in Chiavari, an idyllic coastal town.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chiavari

    Explore Chiavari

    Explore Chiavari, enjoy delectable Italian cuisine al fresco or relax on the scenic beach.

  4. Day 4overnight: Chiavari

    Cinque Terre

    Visit Riomaggiore's castle, Vernazza's picturesque harbour and Monterosso beach.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chiavari

    Portofino

    Cruise to Portofino, with pretty pastel houses, pavement cafes and fresh local seafood.

  6. Day 6overnight: Chiavari

    Sestri Levante

    View the frescoes and artwork of the cathedral or visit the twin bays of Sestri Levante.

  7. Day 7overnight: Chiavari

    Genoa

    Discover Genoa's fine museums and enjoy Genoese pesto pasta by the waterfront.

  8. Day 8overnight: Nice

    Nice

    Spend a night in cosmopolitan Nice and stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais.

  9. Day 9rail

    Return home

    Travel by rail to Paris then join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: visit Cinque Terre villages including Riomaggiore's castle, Vernazzo's picturesque harbour, and Monterosso beach.
  • Day 5Day 5: boat cruise to Portofino, known for pastel-coloured houses and waterfront cafes serving fresh local seafood.
  • Day 7Day 7: explore Genoa's fine museums and eat Genoese pesto pasta by the waterfront.
  • Day 8Day 8: stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice before returning to London by Eurostar.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price from GBP 1,390 includes Eurostar rail travel from London St Pancras to Paris to Turin and return, plus local transport to Chiavari and Nice.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Rail Tours operates this as an escorted tour with accommodation and transport arranged, though Day 2 offers free time in Turin.
How many nights do I stay in one place?
You stay six nights in Chiavari, one night in Turin at the start, and one night in Nice near the end.
What is included in the price?
The price covers Eurostar rail travel, accommodation in three hotels, and local transport. Most meals are mentioned in the itinerary descriptions.
When does the tour run?
No departures or seasonal dates are listed in the operator's published information; contact Rail Tours for available dates.
What kind of walking and activity is involved?
Days involve exploring coastal towns on foot, visiting Cinque Terre villages, a boat cruise to Portofino, museum visits in Genoa, and strolling Nice's Promenade des Anglais.

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