We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Paris, travelling Leisure Select Class with a complimentary meal and drinks served in our seats. After crossing Paris by coach, we catch our onward service down through France into Italy and our overnight hotel in Turin, the 4-star ATA Hotel Concord. (E,D)

Today we travel down from Turin through the bustling seaport of Genoa and along the beautiful Ligurian Riviera to Sestri Levante, set on the coast overlooking the glittering Mediterranean. We transfer to our home for the next seven nights, the Grande Albergo, and enjoy dinner tonight in the hotel. This evening, why not take a stroll along the golden beach fronting the hotel, sip a drink on the seafront promenade and indulge in a favourite Italian past-time - people-watching. (B,D)

This morning we set out after breakfast to explore the Cinque Terre, made up of five incredibly picturesque villages set on the coast. These villages, Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore, are part of a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site and the scenery will literally take your breath away. The regional train (Standard Class) winds its way along the rugged coastline, travelling through tunnels carved deep into the rock and emerging into steep wine terraces with villages clinging precariously to steep cliffs. We alight in Riomaggiore, where we have the option of joining the 'Via dell'Amore', the winding pathway linking the five villages. We walk along the cliff top to Manarola, with waves breaking on the rocks far below. (B,D)

Today you are free to explore at your own pace. Perhaps journey into Genoa and visit one of the largest aquariums in Europe, home to over one thousand different species including penguins, dolphins and seals. Alternatively, why not take to the water and view the Cinque Terre from a different angle? Admire the spectacular landscape on the way to Portovenere as the boat carries you past churning inlets and unspoilt coves. Take a stroll through the winding lanes which lead up to the castle, offering amazing views of the town and the sea glinting in the sun. (B)

Today we cruise to the famous resort town of Portofino. With its terraces of pastel-painted houses leading down to the harbour full of sleek yachts, it is easy to see why Portofino is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean. Lunch is in a local restaurant before we continue along one of the most stunning coastlines in Europe to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. Here a bronze statue of Christ - the Cristo degli Abissi - stands on the sea bed. It is clearly visible when the sea is calm and is said to protect local divers. (B,L)

Today you have a free day to explore Sestri Levante. The heart of the town is built on an island, now connected to the mainland, and is crammed with beautiful villas on medieval streets. The Baia delle Favole, situated on one side of the promontory, is the liveliest part of the town, with its port, promenade, and shops. The Baia del Silenzio, on the other side of the island, has a more relaxed atmosphere, and is well-known for the fishing traditions which are still handed down through the generations. (B)

Our full-day excursion by coach takes us first to the magnificent walled city of Lucca. Founded beside the River Serchio by the Etruscans, Lucca became a Roman colony in 180BC. The rectangular grid of its historic centre follows the Roman street plan, and the Piazza San Michele is built on the site of the ancient forum. We take a guided tour and enjoy some free time before we transfer to Pisa for a short stop to see one of the wonders of the world. The Piazza del Duomo, as well as being home to the famous campanile, also houses the majestic cathedral, built in medieval times, and is flanked by the impressive Baptistry, constructed entirely of marble. For those feeling energetic, there is the chance to climb the steps to the top of the magnificent tower for incredible views of the town. (B,D)

Your morning is free for you to enjoy the hotel's facilities, or perhaps buy some gifts and souvenirs. This afternoon we take a coach excursion to the picturesque fishing village of Camogli. After a guided tour of the centre and the harbour full of colourful fishing boats, we return to our hotel for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

This afternoon we board the rail service from Sestri Levante to Milan and then change for Lausanne. We overnight in the 4-star Hotel Continental in Lausanne. On Day 10 we journey from Lausanne to Paris where we change to the Eurostar service, with a complimentary meal and drinks served on board before our arrival into St Pancras International. (Day 9-B,D; Day 10-B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday

20 April 2010	From £1,448
27 April 2010	From £1,478
18 May 2010	Please call
25 May 2010	Please call
8 June 2010	Please call
15 June 2010	From £1,743
22 June 2010	From £1,548
7 September 2010	Please call
14 September 2010	Please call
21 September 2010	Please call
5 October 2010	From £1,478

All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.

Can there be a more civilised way to travel than by rail?

Viewing an ever-changing landscape from the comfort of your seat is surely the finest way to travel. When travelling by train, your journey is an integral and delightful part of your holiday experience. What you see from your seat is as much part of the holiday as arriving at the destination.

The high speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.

The First Class coaches are divided between Business Premier class and Leisure Select (soon to be re-named 'Standard Premier Class'), which is essentially Eurostar's equivalent First Class service for leisure, rather than business travellers. In your dedicated Leisure Select (Standard Premier Class) carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. Pick up a complimentary newspaper or magazine and look forward to your holiday in your spacious, comfortable seat. As part of the service you'll enjoy drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

Passengers travelling in Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet, which sells a range of snacks, meals, hot and cold drinks - including champagne!

More than fifteen years ago, Eurostar changed the way that people travel to Paris and Brussels forever. The rail service, which directly links the UK to France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel, started operating in 1994.

Eurostar launched services from its new London station, St. Pancras International, and from Ebbsfleet International in Kent in November 2007 with the completion of the second section of the UK's first high-speed line. Following the move, Eurostar's fastest journey times have fallen with London-Paris taking 2 hours 15 minutes, London-Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes and London-Lille just 1 hour 20 minutes.

Travelling at up to 186mph (299km/h), Eurostar speeds through the Kent countryside before diving into the 31.4 mile (50.5km) long Channel Tunnel in Kent and emerging in Coquelles in northern France. From here the train travels to Lille before heading on to Paris or Brussels. From the heart of London to the heart of these great European cities, Eurostar services allow travellers to avoid long queues, lengthy transfers and the hassles of air travel while arriving at our destination more quickly than ever.

Our hotels have been chosen based on their location, the facilities and value for money. Where possible we select hotels with individual style and character, preferably run by local families as we find this gives our hotels a friendlier, more personal feel. We have worked with many of our hotels for over a decade.

The 4-star Hotel Continental in Lausanne provides an excellent waypoint for travelling throughout Southern Europe. This large, modern hotel lies just opposite the railway station and just a short walk away from the local shopping area. There is a cafe on the ground floor, and a restaurant on the first floor offering Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. Room amenities include a television, telephone, minibar and safe.

Typical meal arrangements when dining at the hotel:

• Breakfast: buffet-style continental breakfast, cold items only
• Dinner: four-course dinner with a choice of main course

The Grande Albergo is situated in the small town of Sestri Levante on the Portofino Coast. The hotel is set on the wide promenade facing the Baia delle Favole, close to the historical centre overlooking a sandy beach. It has been operating as a hotel since the late 1800s, and offers its guests modern facilities in a beautifully renovated setting. The hotel has a comfortable lounge and an American-style bar serving a selection of cocktails and aperitifs. The restaurant, Il Delfino Bianco, offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine with lovely views over the garden. There is also a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the Mediterranean. All rooms have a telephone, air conditioning, satellite television, minibar, safe and a hairdryer.

Surrounded by vibrant shops and traditional cafes, the ATA Hotel Concord in Turin is also close to the major attractions, including the Egyptian Museum the famous Via Roma and is located near the Porta Nuova train station. The hotel has its own restaurant and cocktail bar, and the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, telephone, minibar, satellite television, a safe and hairdryer.

• First & Standard Class rail travel as described (Leisure Select service on Eurostar journeys with meals and drinks)
• 9 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
• 1 lunch, 6 dinners
• 3 full day excursions & 1 half day excursion
• All transfers
• Services of your Tour Manager throughout

• Single room prices include the supplement for single occupancy throughout: £195

• Cancellation, medical & travel insurance from £43

Make even more of your holiday with some of these upgrades designed to make your holiday even easier. 

Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Paris en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in the French capital, returning to London in your own time?

Mercure Paris Terminus Nord, Paris

This 3-star hotel is full of character, in an exceptional location facing the Gare du Nord station. Bedrooms are well equipped with en suite bathroom, safe, hairdryer, satellite and pay TV as well as direct dial telephone. Decorated in typical Parisian style, the public rooms, including the bar, reflect the hotel's high standard.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to London to join your holiday. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes. Detailed below are our specially negotiated Standard Class off-peak return prices to London, based on your county of departure. Prices to non-London joining point (ie Edinburgh, Torquay and Holyhead) and prices for First Class travel are also available - please ask us for a quotation.

Departure Stations in:	Return fares from:
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire & Coventry	£24
Essex, Kent	£26
Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Sussex	£29
Leicestershire, Rutland, Wiltshire, West Midlands & Worcestershire	£35
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk	£37
Derbyshire, Dorset, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Powys, Somerset (incl. Bristol)	£43
Cheshire, Clwyd, Lincolnshire, S. Yorkshire	£46
Gloucestershire, Gtr Manchester, Gwynedd (excl. Anglesey), Lancashire, Merseyside	£51
Cornwall, Devon, Dyfed, East Riding of Yorkshire, Gwent, Herefordshire, Anglesey	£55
Glamorgan	£58
Cumbria, W. Yorkshire	£62
N. Yorkshire	£65
Northumberland, Dumfries & Galloway	£70
Durham, Tyne & Wear	£76
Fife, Lothian	£79
Central, Highland, Strathclyde, Tayside	£84
Grampian	£94

Prices are per person and are subject to change without notice.

We are able to book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow or Gatwick Airport for the night before your holiday. The hotels listed below are some of the more popular hotels our customers book, others available on request.

Hotel	Board	Star	Weekday room rate	Weekend room rate
Megaro Hotel	B&B	4-star	from £170	from £150
Thistle Euston	B&B	4-star	from £155	from £117
Novotel St Pancras	B&B	4-star	from £209.50	from £131.50
Hotel Russell	B&B	4-star	from £195	from £135
The President Hotel	B&B	3-star	from £95	from £95
The Imperial Hotel	B&B	3-star	from £105	from £105

Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin room in May 2009, subject to availability. Prices may change without prior notice. Booking conditions apply.

If you wish to avoid taking your cases to and from London, we recommend Carry My Luggage. Carry My Luggage collects your suitcase from a few days before departure and delivers it to your main hotel. The system also works in reverse with luggage delivered to your home a few days after your return to the UK. Please note that Carry My Luggage do not deliver to all the countries we operate in. Prices and further details are available on request.

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