The Italian Riviera

Your Italian expedition begins at London St. Pancras today. Join your group and Tour Manager at the designated meeting point, and together, board the Eurostar bound for Paris. We change trains in the French capital and continue south to Turin, Italy - the country's first capital. Centuries of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architecture fill the skyline as we approach our destination. Transfer to the hotel with the remainder of the night to settle into your new surroundings. Overnight Turin. 

• Dinner

The morning is yours to begin exploring Turin, a beautiful city whose influences pull from both French and Italian cultures. Turin is home to incredible museums, including the Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of the Cinema, and fantastic parks and piazzas, such as the Piazza San Carlo, that allow you to explore the city's essence. You could make a trip to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist to see the famous Shroud of Turin, which is believed to be the burial shroud used for Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and shows an imprint of his face. It has been on display in Turin since 1578.

Later, we continue to Sestri Levante, a town on a peninsula overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean. The views are incredible, with glittering blue bays on either side of the city and colorful Mediterranean buildings at every turn. Overnight Sestri Levante.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure to soak in the beauty of Sestri Levante. On one side of the town is the Bay of Fairy Tales, named for Hans Christian Andersen, who lived here in 1833. This portion is perhaps the liveliest, with its port, promenade, and boutique shops. On the other side is the Bay of Silence, largely considered one of the most scenic and enchanting places on the Italian Riviera. Beautiful beaches make this portion of Sestri Levante a wonderful place for a stroll. Perhaps take a walk through Old Town to explore its intertwining streets lined with rainbow-hued structures, or stop at one of the local cafés, bars, or restaurants to sample the catch of the day or an Aperol Spritz. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

• Breakfast

Today takes us deeper into the Riviera to the Cinque Terre, a group of picturesque coastal villages within their own National Park. The Villages share UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to their old-world allures and breathtaking scenery. We begin our excursion on the rails, traveling along the coastline by train to Riomaggiore, a historical destination beloved for its colorful houses, which creep up the hillside from the charming harbor. From here, we cruise through the brilliant blue water to Vernazza, an elegant destination with cobbled streets that lead to its crowning jewel, its medieval castle. Quaint cafés line the boulevards, and around us are all the amazing views one would expect from this part of the world. Our final stop of the day takes us to Monterosso, the most northerly of the villages in the Cinque Terre. This destination is beloved for its large sandy beach and lemon trees and is awash in character with its narrow streets, tall houses, and beautiful squares. Spend some time wandering at leisure before we return to Sestri Levante for the evening. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Back on the water, we venture toward Portofino, highly regarded as one of the most beautiful port towns in the Mediterranean. Our scenic cruise unveils vistas of sparkling water and majestic coasts as we near this fishing village. Pastel-painted houses surround its stunning natural harbor; beyond, olive groves and forests frame the backdrop. The combination is truly picturesque. Soak in this scenery while we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, savoring the local cuisine and views of the idyllic harbor and blue sea. After lunch, our trip continues toward San Fruttuoso, where we visit the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, an ancient Benedictine monastery built in the 10th century. The abbey is set in a pretty bay beneath wooded hillsides and has seen over 1,000 years of history. Nearby is the underwater statue of "Christ in the Abyss," said to protect local sailors. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

*If weather conditions prevent us from docking in San Fruttuoso, we will visit Santa Margherita instead. Santa Margherita has the undertones of a traditional fishing village yet boasts all of the glamor and beauty of a Riviera resort town.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely morning to sip espresso in the town's cafés or stroll the local beaches, we take a short walk to a traditional trattoria for a pesto-making workshop. We dive into the local cuisine, following a tried-and-true Genoese recipe to create our mouthwatering pasta lunch. You are free to explore Sestri Levante further for the rest of the day. Perhaps hike to Torre di Punta Baffe for magnificent views or stroll through the town center, admiring its winding medieval streets and charming buildings while you explore. Art galleries, museums, and gardens also abound throughout this atmospheric destination. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

The day's travels take us along the Ligurian Sea coast to Pisa, a city famed for its Leaning Tower but brimming with opportunity beyond it. On arrival, we set out on a guided tour, with adventure highlights including the Field of Miracles and the white marble Duomo whose Moorish mosaics are sure to impress. Of course, our tour also includes the Leaning Tower, which started to lean as soon as it was constructed and was the location Galileo chose to study gravity. Our excursion then continues to historic Lucca. Ancient city walls encircle its Roman and medieval city center, and piazzas, art galleries, and churches paint a gorgeous backdrop for adventure. You have some free time to wander its narrow cobbled streets, get lunch, and enjoy the best of this enchanting destination. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

A local train takes us to the picturesque fishing village of Camogli. This destination captures our attention and hearts with its pristine cliffside location, dark pebble beach, and beautiful harbor filled with colorful fishing boats. Groves of pine and olive trees climb the hillside behind it. While Camogli does not have the glam or prestige of its Italian Riviera neighbors, it has much to offer, and we will discover it all during our guided tour. We explore the town center and the gleaming seashore, lined with attractive sherbet-colored buildings, while wandering through hundreds of years of history. Spend some time taking in the vibrant culture and perhaps tasting local focaccia before returning to our hotel for dinner this evening. Overnight Sestri Levante. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling west through Italy by rail, we skirt the stunning Ligurian coastline en route to the French city of Nice. This Mediterranean paradise is beloved for its temperate climate and idyllic beaches, not to mention its unimaginable history, which spans over 400,000 years. On arrival, there is free time to get to know this Côte d'Azur resort town. Take in the incredible views as you stroll along the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais or walk any of its four miles of beaches. Vieille Ville (Old Town) is brimming with churches, city squares, and tall tenant houses perched on narrow streets. Enticing sidewalk cafés, bars, and restaurants invite you to get a taste of the region. There is much to discover during your night here. Overnight Nice. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our seaside journey comes to a close this morning as we check out of our hotel and make our way to the Nice train station to board the train bound for Paris. Here, we join the Eurostar service back to London St. Pancras, where you can depart at leisure. 

• Breakfast