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Southern Europe & Mediterranean
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Soak up the culture and cuisine of Southern Europe

ClassicClassic
Rome, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
Glorious Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & Eternal Rome
10-11 days from £3,299 pp
  • Enjoy 4-Star hotel accommodation in stunning Sorrento and historic Rome
  • Soak up the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi coast from a relaxing boat cruise
  • Walk among two archaeological world wonders, Pompeii and Herculaneum
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DiscoveriesDiscoveries
Highlights of the Basque Country
8 days from £1,299 pp
  • Explore the Basque country from the traditional seaside town of Hondarribia
  • Travel on Le Petit Train de la Rhune, enjoying panoramic views of the Pyrenees
  • Discover San Sebastián's celebrated cuisine, and Bilbao's iconic art and culture
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ClassicClassic
Girolata Bay
First-Class Wonders of Corsica & Sardinia
12 days from £3,299 pp
  • Explore two Mediterranean islands, with First-Class rail travel and elegant hotels
  • Enjoy a 5-Star stay in Alghero, discovering Sardinia's famed beaches and cuisine
  • Embrace island life in Corsica, staying in medieval Calvi and relaxed Propriano
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Southern Europe & Mediterranean Escorted Rail Holidays

Those seeking a quieter holiday will find peace and solitude beside the waters of the Italian lakes or on the idyllic islands of Ischia and Sicily. Spain, Portugal and Morocco offer an exotic blend of cultures and flavours while in Greece we unearth the infancy of civilisation itself.

Aside from being the birthplace of Western civilisation and hosting a horde of magnificent cities, the countries around the Mediterranean possess an increasingly rare quality; respite. Even in the bustling cities there is an other worldly sense that no one really takes things seriously. Taxi drivers honk their horns at the traffic but they're not doing it out of spite, they just know it's what they're supposed to do and not doing so would be silly. As you travel towards the coast this semi-serious way of life fades away entirely. So long as there is food in your belly and good company nearby nothing in the world can disturb the Mediterranean summer.

Excellent5 stars17,250 reviews on

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60 results matching: Italy, Southern Europe & Mediterranean

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ClassicClassic
Sirmione on Lake GardaSirmione on Lake GardaSirmione on Lake GardaSirmione on Lake GardaSirmione on Lake Garda
First-Class Lake Garda: Sirmione, Venice & Verona
4.4 stars(376 reviews)
2025SepOct
2026MarAprMayJunJul...

Based in the exquisite fortress town of Sirmione, set on a picturesque peninsula overlooking Lake Garda, and staying in an elegant spa hotel, this captivating holiday includes some fabulous excursions. Join us as we glide through Venice's turquoise canals on an unforgettable gondola ride - passing Venetian palazzos, intriguing architecture and...

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10 days from
£2,919 pp
per person
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DiscoveriesDiscoveries
BariBariBariBariBari
GRJ All Inclusive Puglia: Bari, Matera & Alberobello
4.2 stars(601 reviews)
2025SepOct
2026AprMayJunAugSepOct

Arriving by plane, enjoy our scenic base in a hotel overlooking the coast of Monopoli. From here, experience the incredible sights and traditions of Puglia, a place untouched by the hands of time. Rich with UNESCO World Heritage sites, discover the spectacular trulli homes of Alberobello and the sassi cave dwellings in the cliffside town of...

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8 days from
£1,299 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
The Italian RivieraThe Italian RivieraThe Italian RivieraThe Italian RivieraThe Italian Riviera
First-Class Italian Riviera & Portofino
4.1 stars(241 reviews)
2025SepOct
2026AprMayJunJulAug...

Discover the towns and villages of the Italian Riviera which sparkle beside the Mediterranean Sea, as we explore the Cinque Terre and the harbour town of Portofino. Explore the pastel-hued fishing village of Camogli, a hidden gem, and relax in Sestri Levante - a town between two bays. Sail to San Fruttuoso abbey, set in a secluded cove and only...

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10 days from
£2,299 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
Highlights of TuscanyHighlights of TuscanyHighlights of TuscanyHighlights of TuscanyHighlights of Tuscany
Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa
4.3 stars(241 reviews)
2025SepOct
2026AprMayJunJulAug...

Savour the glorious colours, aromas and flavours of Tuscany on a holiday highlighting the true beauty of this beloved region. Discover the great Renaissance city of Florence, visit the historic Il Borgo Machiavelli for a tour and dinner, and marvel at the iconic monuments of Pisa, including the Leaning Tower. Explore the stunning sights of Siena,...

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10 days from
£2,399 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
San SebastianSan SebastianSan SebastianSan SebastianSan Sebastian
Beautiful Basque Country: San Sebastian & Bilbao
4.5 stars(82 reviews)
2025Oct
2026AprMayJunSepOct

Uncover the gems of Spain and France's Basque Country from a grand base, a fortified castle in medieval Hondarribia, a picturesque town with a global reputation for great food. This gastronomy-packed tour includes a tour of San Sebastián with a sampling of pintxos at lunchtime, as well as entry into the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Take a trip...

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8 days from
£2,799 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
Girolata BayGirolata BayGirolata BayGirolata BayGirolata Bay
First-Class Wonders of Corsica & Sardinia
2025Sep
2026AprMayJunSep

Uncover the laid-back island lifestyle on a fantastic tour of this 'forgotten corner of Europe'. Explore the glistening coast of unspoilt Corsica, a paradise of old-world French towns and hilltop villages, connected by charming train journeys through spectacular scenery. Indulge in the delicious cuisine of Sardinia, discover beautiful historic...

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12 days from
£3,299 pp
per person
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DiscoveriesDiscoveries
Isola dei Pescatori, Lake MaggioreIsola dei Pescatori, Lake MaggioreIsola dei Pescatori, Lake MaggioreIsola dei Pescatori, Lake MaggioreIsola dei Pescatori, Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta & the Alps
4.0 stars(134 reviews)
2025SepOct
2026AprMayJunAugSepOct

Explore the serene beauty of Italy's lakes from a base in the attractive town of Stresa, a haven for artists and writers over the centuries nestled on the shore of Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a cruise to an island monastery on Lake Orta and explore the lakeside village of Orta San Giulio. Journey through the Alps to Switzerland on the Centovalli Railway...

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8 days from
£1,499 pp
per person
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PortoPortoPortoPortoPorto
Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley
3.9 stars(46 reviews)
2025Oct
2026AprMayJunSepOct

Join us on this holiday, carefully crafted to showcase the best of Portugal. Immerse yourself in the rich history, diverse culture and beautiful landscapes of the country, from its cities to its verdant valleys. Discover the country's historic capital, Lisbon, to explore its stunning viewpoints, hilltop castle and magnificent squares. Experience...

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8 days from
£1,499 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
The Magic of SicilyThe Magic of SicilyThe Magic of SicilyThe Magic of SicilyThe Magic of Sicily
Magic of Sicily: Etna, Taormina & Palermo
4.2 stars(55 reviews)
2025Sep
2026AprMayJunSepOct

Fly to and from Catania to uncover the charms of Sicily from bases in cosmopolitan Palermo and the laid-back coastal resort of Giardini Naxos. Discover the historic towns of Monreale and Syracuse, whose architecture showcases the history and cultural influences of Sicily. Explore the Valley of the Temples and Taormina's Greek theatre. Visit...

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8 days from
£2,199 pp
per person
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Santorini Island, GreeceSantorini Island, GreeceSantorini Island, GreeceSantorini Island, GreeceSantorini Island, Greece
Mediterranean Gems Cruise: Malta & Greek Islands
2026JunSep

Embrace the spirit of exploration on an island-hopping journey which takes in the beauty, culture and immense history of the entrancing eastern Mediterranean. Journey by train to Barcelona for a tour of the city, before cruising the Mediterranean on the luxurious Celebrity Equinox to medieval Valletta on Malta. Encounter the iconic treasures of...

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13-15 days from
£2,999 pp
per person
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ClassicClassic
StresaStresaStresaStresaStresa
First-Class Lake Maggiore & Stresa
2025Sep
2026AprMayJunJulAug...

Step into a bygone era of glamorous travel, based in a Belle Époque hotel in the attractive town of Stresa, overlooking beautiful Lake Maggiore. This popular holiday includes a cruise to the Borromean Islands - with a guided tour of the Borromeo Palace and time to explore the picturesque fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori. Soak up the...

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10 days from
£2,499 pp
per person
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DiscoveriesDiscoveries
Highlights of Andalucia
4.2 stars(137 reviews)
2025Oct
2026AprMayJunSepOct

Experience the highlights of Andalucía on this spectacular holiday to the region's three main cities. With a local guide we tour the vibrant city of Seville - seeing the world's largest Gothic cathedral, and the Plaza de España. In Córdoba, we see the exterior of the glorious Mezquita, a unique mosque-cathedral, with free time to look around the...

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7 days from
£1,349 pp
per person
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Show all 60 tours

Our customers love our Italy, Southern Europe & Mediterranean tours
Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa
2/Aug
Garmagon01Mrs Joan Boyton
5 stars
“Excellent tour manager and lovely hotel accommodation and tours.
Collected by Trustpilot
GRJ All Inclusive Puglia: Bari, Matera & Alberobello
15/Jul
TW Davies
5 stars
“Wonderful holiday. The itinerary achieves a balanced mix of activities / visits by rail and coach to different locations within and outside the Puglia region, with sufficient time given to each, with personal downtime to relax. Brenda Stephenson our Tour Manager made the experience better through her insightful knowledge of...
Collected by Trustpilot
Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta & the Alps
10/Jul
Mr Grey
5 stars
“Perfect weather, and a perfect hotel location facing the lake with its garden theme promenade.
Collected by Trustpilot
Beautiful Basque Country: San Sebastian & Bilbao
24/Jun
M Llewellyn
5 stars
“Excellent tour. Good size group, very congenial, well paced events, (we particularly enjoyed wine tasting and lunch), lovely base in Hondarribia parador. Very capable tour manager.
Collected by Trustpilot
Magic of Sicily: Etna, Taormina & Palermo
6/Jun
Diana Anderson
5 stars
“We had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday, meeting lots of people and enjoying the sites of Sicily. Our Tour Manager, Diane was excellent and very thoughtful keeping us well informed as necessary.
Collected by Trustpilot
Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley
28/May
Robert Carter
5 stars
“Lovely itinerary at a good pace with plenty of time to do one's own thing. Beautiful scenery and great location for the hotels
Collected by Trustpilot
First-Class Lake Garda: Sirmione, Venice & Verona
29/Jul
val horsfall
4 stars
“I felt the journey to and from Sirmione seemed to take a long time even with the overnight stays The actual experience in Sirmione with Venice and Verona was interesting
Collected by Trustpilot
First-Class Italian Riviera & Portofino
21/Jul
Fiona Chapman
4 stars
“Magical trip. 1st class Italian trains not up to standard though.
Collected by Trustpilot
Highlights of Andalucia
1/Jul
Sue Krume
4 stars
“I liked the fact the holiday was based in one hotel and that the evening meal was not included. (I’ve experienced some dreadful evening meals on these trips before i.e. in Sestrie Levante) The pinnacle of the trip, the Alhambra in Granada however was poorly organised with an hour and...
Collected by Trustpilot

The Rail Heritage of Italy, Southern Europe & the Mediterranean

Discover the fantastic railways of Italy, Southern Europe & the Mediterranean. It should come as no surprise that we love railways and we know many of you do too! That's why our tours feature some of the most iconic railways and trains on the continent.

The Yellow Train
Yellow Train
Nuria Valley Rack Railway
Nuria Valley Rack
Bernina Express Italy
Bernina Express
The Circumetnea
Circumetnea
Train des Merveilles
Train des Merveilles
Train des Mouettes
Train des Mouettes
Centovalli Railway
Centovalli
Altaria
Altaria

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Southern Europe?

The best time to visit Southern Europe depends on your preferences. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June-August) is ideal for beach lovers but can be hot and busy, while winter is great for festive markets and fewer tourists in cities.

What are the must-visit destinations in Southern Europe?

Southern Europe is home to many stunning locations, including:

  • Italy - Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast
  • Spain - Barcelona, Madrid, Catalonia
  • Portugal - Lisbon, Porto, Douro River Cruises

What languages are spoken in Southern Europe?

The main languages spoken are Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and French. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated.

What should I pack for my trip?

Pack according to the season. In summer, lightweight clothing, sun cream, and a hat are essential. In cooler months, bring layers and a waterproof jacket. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as many historic areas have cobbled streets.

How many people go on one of your holidays?

Great Rail Journeys is a market leader when it comes to small group tours. We're proud of being pioneers in our approach to group sizes and have become the leading operator for escorted holidays. Our group sizes vary between tours, but are our ranges are usually a good indicator of what to expect.

For our Discoveries range, you'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. If opting for our Classic collection, you'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. Our Landmark holidays are where you'll find our smallest group sizes, starting from as low as 16 travellers and an average of 22, to a maximum of 30.

*Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

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