The Italian Riviera

London to Turin

You begin your holiday at London St Pancras International, where you meet your group at Rail Discoveries' dedicated Departure Office before travelling by Eurostar to Paris. Here, change trains and continue by high-speed TGV to Turin.

To the Italian Riviera

Enjoy a morning to explore beautiful Turin. An excellent example of a modern Italian city, Turin's wide boulevards, grand old buildings and extensive market places lend an impressive feel to the streets. Be sure to see the Mole Antonelliana, originally a synagogue and nowadays, a remarkable landmark rising high above the skyline.

Later, continue to delightful Chiavari for 6 nights at the Stella del Mare. Found in the province of Genoa, and not far from the city itself, Chiavari is an idyllic coastal town with a truly beautiful harbour lined by classic Italian town houses and populated by bobbing, white sailing boats from across the world.

Chiavari's seafront promenade, stretching across the length of the town, faces a pure sea of azure, and the colourful parasols and buildings lend a timeless cheer to the town.

You are at leisure on Day 3 to settle into your new surroundings. Why not take your first steps on the beach and soak in the spectacular views? Alternatively, discover the old historic centre with its winding cobbled streets.

Cinque Terre

Today, discover the coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. These popular villages are part of a beautiful national park which boast UNESCO World Heritage status. The villages attract visitors from across the world for their enduring Italian charm.

The 5 villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore - are set on a particularly rugged section of the coastline, and the rainbow-hued houses cling to the cliffs as they seemingly cascade toward the blue waters below. Each village has its own unique character. Monterosso, the northernmost village, resembles a modern resort with a pristine sandy beach, while Vernazza has a smaller beach, but is notable for its ancient clock towers and labyrinthine streets. Enjoy time to explore the winding, cobbled streets, or perhaps stop and enjoy an ice cream besides the harbour.

In order to travel between these villages, journey by rail through some marvellous Italian scenery on the way. Glide along cliffs, between rolling hills, and alongside golden beaches as you discover the natural beauty of this part of the world.

Portofino

Take a cruise today from Rapallo to Portofino, a colourful fishing village surrounded by olive groves. As we drift down the coast, enjoy the sight of the Genoan province from an entirely new perspective, a sight which truly succeeds in highlighting the contrast between the dense green forests, sheer white cliffs and enchanting colourful towns and harbours.

Portofino is a postcard town clinging above the water on the side of a rocky outcrop. Hidden from the rest of the world, Portofino's charm lies in its isolated tranquillity, its sheltered harbour a home for yachts and other vessels, and the warm colours of its houses a welcome sight for seagoing vessels.

Continue from here to San Fruttuoso, hidden in a small cove. This refuge is characterised by a small, ancient Benedictine monastery, which has been changed over the years and sits immediately up from the beach.

Please note: landing at San Fruttuoso is dependent on weather conditions. If it is not possible, the boat will land at the lovely Santa Margherita.

At Leisure and Genoa by rail

Today you are free in the local area. One option is to visit nearby Sestri Levante, which boasts a beautiful position on the coast, flanked by 2 pretty bays - the Bay of Fairytales and the Bay of Silence.

Travel by train to Genoa on Day 7 for a guided tour of the city's Old Town. Genoa is one of Italy's truly great cities, its port a hive of activities and its streets lit up by the grandeur of its mercantile past. It is the sixth largest city in Italy, and its port is one of the most important in Europe, with tens of thousands of ships passing through each year.

The Doge's Palace is particularly impressive, echoing the resplendence of the Renaissance period. It was built in 1298, with Genoa establishing itself economically in the Mediterranean sea.

Nice

Bid farewell to Chiavari today, and travel by rail along the stunning coastline to Nice, where you stay overnight.

Return to London

Continue by high-speed TGV to Paris today, where you connect with the Eurostar to London St Pancras International, where your holiday concludes.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.