The French Riviera and Italian Ligurian Coast

Enjoy a fabulous railway holiday along the French Cote d’Azur and the Ligurian Coast in Italy, including exploring the world-famous Cinque Terre.

• Journey by Eurostar from London to Paris and then on to elegant Nice for a day of sightseeing, before you continue along the Cote d’Azur to the historic port city of Genoa.
  
• Enjoy the elegance and sophistication of the French Riviera and deep blue Cote d’Azur in the beautiful city of Nice and at the colourful seaside town of Menton, one of France’s best kept secrets. A visit to the mico nation of Monaco and its posh capital Monte Carlo is also included.
• Highlights in Genoa include rides on the historic funiculars and mountain climbing rack railways, as well as a harbour cruise and exploration of the rich maritime history.
• Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world along the Ligurian coast to Pisa, including a visit to the Leaning Tower, and explore the world famous five fishing villages of Cinque Terre.
• Discover Milano’s historic tramways and elegant urban sites, as you stay for 2 nights in Italy’s classy metropolis.
  

Thursday 6th November
London to Nice by high speed rail
You travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord before a direct afternoon TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. You arrive at Nice in the evening and check into your hotel, where dinner will be served. (B D)

Friday 7th November
Tramways and leisure in Nice
Nice is one of the most beautiful cities in France, full of elegant architecture, colourful historic buildings, and spacious esplanades. You have a free day to enjoy the French Cote d’Azur, exploring at your own pace with your complimentary 1-day rover ticket for use on the well-connected local tramway system. In the evening dinner is served at your hotel. (B D)

Saturday 8th November
Cote d’Azur scenery at Menton and Monte Carlo
Today you take the train from Nice Ville to the seaside town of Menton, on the border with Italy. This charming village is adorned by gorgeous houses, quaint church spires and beautiful views of the Mediterranean.
After visiting this colourful town you continue by train to the micronation of Monaco, to see its glamorous capital Monte Carlo, with its twin-towered casino and sprawling yacht harbour. After the return to Nice, you have a free evening to once again explore its wonderful old town with spacious squares, where there are numerous vibrant restaurants, cafes and bars to be sampled. (B)

Sunday 9th November
Seaside railway trip from Nice to Genoa, Balbi scenic lift in Genoa
Today you bid ‘Adieu’ to France and say ‘Ciao’ to Italy as you enjoy a 3-hour scenic train trip from Nice to Genoa, changing at Ventimiglia. You travel past sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, Italianate churches, and lots of historic buildings. On arrival at Genoa’s elegant Piazza Principe station, you check into your adjacent hotel, within walking distance of the Old Town, the Ancient Port, and the hillside palaces.
You’ll receive a public transport rover ticket, valid on the city’s Metro and central trolleybus routes, for the duration of your stay. In the afternoon you will enjoy riding on the unique Balbi scenic lift, an engineering marvel dating from 1929 and located directly next to the hotel. In the evening there is a buffet dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Monday 10th November
Panoramic mountain railways and funiculars of Genoa, seaside splendour at Nervi
The hillside city of Genoa features a number of rack railways, funiculars and vertical elevators, which provide rides to vantage points high above the port. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with a vast collection of impressive palaces and grand churches.
Using your complimentary public transport pass, you will have a guided visit to enjoy rides on all the noteworthy mountain railways, funiculars and elevators in the morning. In the afternoon, you will be free to enjoy time at leisure in this grand Italian city or make a brief trip by train to the breathtaking seaside esplanade at Nervi. Dinner is back at the hotel in the evening. (B D)

Tuesday 11th November
Genoa harbour cruise, aquarium visit and historic ships on the Old Port
Today we explore Genoa’s rich maritime attractions and heritage. First you take a return trip on the harbour ferry known as Navebus.
It runs on the water from Porto Antico to Molo Archetti, taking you past huge oceanliners and the airport runway. After your Navebus trip you visit Genoa’s world-famous aquarium in the Porto Antico, with an impressive display of sea life. You may choose to visit the impressive Maritime Museum with the preserved Italian naval submarine ‘Nazario Sauro’ from 1976. Tonight you are free to dine in the city at a restaurant of your choice. (B)

Wednesday 12th November 
Seaside railway and villages of Cinque Terre
The five legendary villages of Cinque Terre take centre stage today, as you will first travel from Genoa to Monterosso al Mare, before changing for the short continuation to Vernazza. In each of the five towns you will have time to enjoy the unrivaled views and iconic postcard scenery, which have become renowned around the world. You can ‘hop on and off’ between the different little towns, also visiting Manarola and Riomaggiore and spending time there at leisure. In the late afternoon you take a direct Intercity from La Spezia back to Genoa. There’s another buffet dinner at the hotel tonight. (B D)

Thursday 13th November
Train trip to Pisa, visit to the Leaning Tower
Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world today, as you travel along the Ligurian coast past famous resorts like Sestri Levante and Levanto. You arrive in Pisa, near the famed Leaning Tower and cathedral. You will have three hours in the city to explore, before the afternoon return trip to Genoa, where you will once again travel along the seaside route. In the evening you enjoy one more buffet dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Friday 14th November
Genoa to Milano by rail, landmarks of Milano
Today you take a Trenitalia service from Genoa via the hills of Alessandria to Milan. Arriving at the monumental Milano Centrale station, you get to experience one of the most grandiose railway terminals in the world. After checking in and a light lunch at your hotel, you are free to explore Milano, using your complimentary public transport rover ticket, which is valid on the city’s trams, trolleybuses and underground Metro. Why not visit the famed Duomo (Cathedral), turreted Castello (Castle) and the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from 1867. (B L)

Saturday 15th November
Museum of Science and Technology and 1920s tramways in Milano
After breakfast you visit the palatial National Museum of Science and Technology, which has an outstanding collection of preserved steam locomotives, historic aircraft and even a full-scale Italian submarine. The museum is housed in an elegant Palazzo near the city centre Castello. After the museum visit you are free to enjoy more time at leisure in Milano, making the best of your public transport rover to ride the iconic ‘Ventotto’ trams from the 1920s. In the evening you reconvene with your fellow travelers at the hotel for a farewell dinner. (B D)

Sunday 16th November
Milano to London via the French Alps and Paris
Take a direct high-speed train from Milano to Paris Gare de Lyon, experiencing another scenic railway journey straight through the Alps, capping your holiday to southern Europe in style. In Paris you transfer to Gare de Nord, where you take your final journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras.(B)