Christmas on the Italian Riviera

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, before continuing to Turin where you stay at our hotel for the night.

You are free to explore Turin's leafy boulevards, elegant squares, and modern cafés on Day 2. Perhaps visit Museo Egizio that houses a huge collection of Egyptian artefacts or discover Mole Antonelliana, one of the landmark buildings of Italy. Originally a synagogue, this sky-scraping structure has a panoramic lift leading to a terrace that offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding Alps. This afternoon you join the train to Chiavari, near the city of Genoa. Situated on the Italian Riviera, the town looks out to the Ligurian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean and its centre is dotted with Renaissance style buildings, fountains, and gardens.

This morning you travel by rail to Genoa for a sightseeing tour. Genoa is ideal for those seeking an authentic Italian experience beyond the glitz of Venice and Florence. There are around 20 museums exhibiting artworks of famous Italian painters, UNESCO-recognised heritage structures, the sumptuous Royal Palace, and magnificent gardens that you explore during your tour and in your free time.

Pause for an authentic Italian coffee in one of its many cafés or indulge in some of the tastiest Italian delicacies that restaurants in Genoa promise. Venture to Piazza Caricamento that transforms into a medieval Italian village every Christmas, hosting one of the liveliest Christmas markets in the country.

Today is Christmas Eve and you travel to Rapallo, to board the boat to the colourful fishing village of Portofino. Take in the beauty of the Italian Riviera from a completely new angle, admiring the woods, cliffs, and brightly coloured houses that dot the banks. Its ancient marine culture is still palpable and in the Church of San Giorgio you can see relics brought back by sailors after the Crusades.

Make the most of your time here, exploring the lively waterfront, trying delicious Ligurian cuisine, or perhaps visit the artisan workshops where local people skilfully create patterns on bobbin lace. Later, continue by boat to San Fruttuoso, located on a sheltered bay, and known for its restored Benedictine abbey and freshest of seafood.

Today is Christmas Day, and you have a free day to indulge in a traditional Christmas lunch at the hotel and relax on Chiavari's stunning promenades. In the evening dinner is at the hotel.

Today your guide takes you to the fabulous pastel-coloured villages of Cinque Terre, set on a rugged coastline along the Mediterranean, with fabulous views of the Mediterranean dotted with fishing boats of different hues.

You begin at Monterosso that you reach by rail. The villages have largely retained their old-world charm with perfectly preserved architecture. Monterosso's pebbled beach is a favourite among holidaymakers during the summer months, but in winter they remain pristine and here you are free to explore.

Later continue by rail to Vernazza where you can explore its famous piazza, octagonal clock tower, and labyrinthine streets.

Take the train again to your last and most loved destination in Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, a vibrant village with clusters of brightly hued Ligurian houses around its natural rock harbour.The town sits in different layers of the rock's ridges as if gradually cascading towards the sea.

You board the train back to Chiavari in the evening before dinner.

Day 7 is free for you to relax in Chiavari or explore your surroundings.

You travel by rail to Genoa this morning, joining the train to Nice where you spend the night. On Day 9, a train journey takes you to Paris where you join the Eurostar to London St Pancras.