How to explore Italy like a local
20/06/2025 · By Tim Hall
Expert Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and blogger Tim Hall discusses how to explore Italy with his top tips and advice about food, drink and culture.
Read more2025 Tour code: 25DMS
About the tour
Explore the delightful Italian Riviera from a base in Chiavari and view the colourful cliffside Cinque Terre villages on a cruise.
Relax on a cruise to glamorous Portofino, a popular village set within a natural harbour, before uncovering San Fruttuoso abbey, located on a beach in a peaceful cove.
Delve into the history of Genoa, the former city republic that once ruled this stretch of coast, famed for its delicious pesto and connections to explorer Christopher Columbus.
Please Note - This tour was formely called The Italian Riviera & Portofino
Unforgettable Experiences
What’s included
Itinerary
Your holiday begins at London St Pancras International where we meet the Tour Manager and our group before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. In the French capital, we change trains and continue to Turin for one night.
Passing the Italian Alps, we arrive in this elegant city. After checking in to our hotel, we gather for a three-course dinner.
Please Note - For departures 10th May and 17th May we will travel out via Chambery staying at the Mercure Chambery.
Additional information
Hotels
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Reviews
4.0 / 5 · 330 reviews
Linda Harrowsmith
Submitted 28/Jun
Interesting travel on train, coach and boat. Stunning scenery visiting beautiful places throughout. Excellent guide and great company with the rest of our group. Would highly recommend.
Collected by Trustpilot
Jane O’Connell
Submitted 28/Jun
Travel management by GRJ not good
Collected by Trustpilot
Dave Bartley
Submitted 24/Jun
Really enjoyed it. Our third GRJ holiday. There will be a fourth
Collected by Trustpilot
T Harrop
Submitted 23/Jun
A very well organised trip Stuart Houghton was a very experienced tour escort and fitted well with our age group. My wife was a Blue Badge Guide and knows the business well and was pleased with the performance of Stuart.
Collected by Trustpilot
SG
Submitted 9/Jun
A lovely trip filled with variety and beautiful scenery. Good hotels, great tour guide (Andy) and nice food.
Collected by Trustpilot
david
Submitted 8/Jun
Well thought out itinerary, good that routes out and back were different. Comfortable hotels with good meals. Well organised with enthusiastic and pleasant tour manager.
Collected by Trustpilot