Experience the flavours and sights of elegant Lake Garda, before embarking on an unforgettable cruise from Venice, exploring historic Adriatic ports enroute to Athens

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras as you meet the Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and group before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Travelling in spacious Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats enroute. From the French capital, we continue by First Class rail through France and to the Italian city of Turin.

Transferring to our hotel, we check in for the night and get to know each other over dinner this evening.

This morning after breakfast, there's time at leisure to explore Turin. Nestled at the foot of the Italian Alps, the city's elegant squares and boulevards are dotted with inviting cafés and bars, and a short stroll from our hotel brings you to a pedestrianised shopping district.

Later, we regroup and travel by rail to Desenzano, continuing to our base on the shores of Lake Garda. Surrounded by vine-covered hills and framed by the distant peaks of the Alps, Lake Garda is Italy's largest lake and one of its most captivating. Once part of the Venetian Republic that stretched along the Croatian coast and into Crete, the lake's shoreline is dotted with characterful towns, each offering its own blend of history, charm and lakeside beauty.

We settle into our hotel, ideally located for exploring the area and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere before dinner this evening.

After breakfast, there is free time this morning to relax at the hotel or discover more of our surroundings.

This afternoon, we join a cruise across Lake Garda to Isola del Garda. Owned by the Cavazza family for generations, Isola del Garda is the largest island on the lake and one of its best kept secrets. Sailing across the sparkling waters, we discover fragrant acacia and lemon trees framing an extraordinary neo-Gothic style villa. The island is also home to a small wood of pines, cypresses, magnolias and agaves, adding to its lush atmosphere. We explore the exquisite villa and gardens on an exclusive guided tour before relaxing with a drink on the terrace overlooking the lake.

Returning to our hotel, the evening is at leisure to dine independently at one of the area's inviting bars or restaurants.

We visit Verona after breakfast this morning, where a guided tour introduces us to the city's highlights. We see Juliet's famous balcony and the city's awe-inspiring Roman Arena, which predates Rome's Colosseum and is now an open-air opera house.

With free time over lunch, you might choose to wander into the heart of Verona and visit Piazza delle Erbe, the city's oldest and most atmospheric square. Alternatively, take a walk along the main shopping street, where Italy's great fashion houses are represented.

This afternoon, we head to a family-run agriturismo in the hills above the city to indulge in one of the highlights of the holiday. This experience blends the region's wine culture with authentic Italian hospitality, set against a backdrop of vineyards and olive groves. We then enjoy a dinner of traditional dishes paired with wines.

We travel as a group to Venice port after breakfast this morning, where you say farewell to the Tour Manager and are transferred to your luxurious Azamara cruise ship.

Here, you are welcomed onboard by the friendly and attentive crew. Azamara's cruise ships have a smaller capacity than most other ocean and sea cruise vessels, meaning they can get closer to ports, resulting in a more immersive experience.

Once settled into your cabin, you can make the most of the enticing facilities onboard, including an outdoor pool, spa and gym, along with a range of dining venues and lounges.

Find out more about your ship here.

Showcasing imperial glamour from its days as a popular resort for Habsburg emperors and nobility, the Croatian coastal town of Opatija is your first destination. At each port of call throughout your cruise, you can join optional excursions (payable locally) or explore at leisure.

Stroll along the promenade to uncover Opatija's timeless elegance or seek out the graceful Maiden with the Seagull statue, which was erected on a promontory in 1956 and has become a symbol of the town.

Returning to the ship, enjoy dinner in one of the onboard restaurants, before watching the evening's entertainment or savouring a cocktail in the bar.

Formerly the capital of the Byzantine province of Dalmatia after the fall of the Roman Empire, Zadar's history reflects that of many ports along this stretch of coast. Falling under Venetian rule, it became a prosperous trading city, and its importance is now revealed in the cobblestone streets of its Old Town.

Perched on a peninsula, the expansive promenade also showcases the innovative and playful spirit of Zadar and Croatia. Uncover numerous artworks - including the Sea Organ - while soaking up views of nearby islands such as Ugljan.

Stroll through the shaded streets, where history is revealed at every turn, before returning to the ship this evening.

Traversing the narrow St Anthony Channel, we dock in the historic harbour town of Šibenik, often called the gateway to Krka National Park. Founded by Slavic people in around 1066, it is one of the country's oldest towns.

You can enjoy time in this beautiful Adriatic city, wandering down narrow alleys to uncover the medieval Cathedral of St James or the 14th-century Prince's Palace, where you can also find the Šibenik City Museum. Like many cities on the Croatian coast, it featured in Games of Thrones as the city of Braavos.

The area around Šibenik is a major wine-producing region, so perhaps you'll stop at one of the city's many restaurants and enjoy a local red babić paired with some fresh Adriatic seafood.

The UNESCO-listed Old Town of Split is like a living museum with amazingly well-preserved Roman buildings appearing around almost every corner. This is due in part to the sprawling Diocletian's Palace - a 4th-century structure that still forms the beating heart of Split.

Explore this vast city-palace built by Diocletian - the emperor of Rome between 284 and 305 AD. Born a few miles north of Split, Diocletian sought to retire near his Dalmatian home and ordered the construction of a palatial residence. Today, the remains of this massive fortress make up about half of the Old Town.

You could choose to pay to walk through the fascinating Basement Halls, which Game of Thrones fans will recognise as the dungeons where the dragons are kept.

Separated from the Pelješac peninsula, the Dalmatian island of Korčula is a hidden gem that boasts an excellent wine culture as well as stunning old cities.

Docking in the main city, Korčula, enjoy a day exploring historic streets that date back centuries. Laid out in an enchanting herringbone pattern, wander through Venetian alleys to uncover the 15th-century cathedral or the rumoured birthplace of explorer Marco Polo.

Alternatively, stop off at a traditional Croatian tavern called a konoba to sample traditional Dalmatian cuisine such as fresh seafood or black risotto with a glass of local wine.

You dock in Dubrovnik today, a beautifully preserved walled city that feels like stepping back in time. Known as a popular filming location, this historic gem is set against a backdrop of turquoise waters and rugged coastline.

Stroll along its ancient stone streets, where Baroque churches, elegant squares and cafés are tucked within the city walls. You might explore landmarks like the Rector's Palace or the grand Dubrovnik Cathedral or walk the iconic city walls for views over the rooftops and harbour.

For a different perspective, take the cable car to the top of Mount Srđ, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the city.

Sailing into the Bay of Kotor this morning, you're welcomed to Montenegro by towering mountains and fjord-like waters - a memorable arrival into one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities.

Surrounded by ancient walls, Kotor's old town is a maze of cobbled streets and hidden squares, perfect for discovering at leisure. You might visit the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, one of the town's oldest landmarks, or browse shops selling traditional crafts and delicacies.

For sweeping views over the bay, take a walk up the old city walls to the Castle of San Giovanni, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the Bay of Kotor and surrounding mountains.

Today is a full day at sea as you sail out of the Adriatic towards Greece, giving you time to relax and enjoy the ship's excellent facilities.

Soak up the sunshine on the sundeck, take a dip in the outdoor pool or indulge in a treatment at the spa (payable onboard). The front-deck bar offers some of the best views at sea, while a range of dining options, including two speciality restaurants, invite you to savour delightful cuisine throughout your journey.

In the evening, enjoy the programme of onboard entertainment, from live music and cultural shows to a variety of captivating performances.

Beginning with a Great Rail Journeys escorted tour of Lake Garda that included an unforgettable evening at a Valpolicella vineyard overlooking Verona, you later boarded an Azamara ship for a luxury cruise through the Adriatic. Soaking up timeless history and spectacular views in captivating ports of call including Split, Dubrovnik and Kotor, you explored some of southeast Europe's most beautiful locations enroute.

Arriving in your final port of Piraeus today, you disembark the cruise ship and are transferred to Athens airport for your flight home. Landing in London Heathrow or your regional airport, your holiday comes to and end and you are free to make your own way home.

The newest addition to the fleet, Azamara Onward debuted in 2022 following an extensive renovation. Like the other ships, it carries fewer than 700 guests, creating a boutique-style atmosphere and a personalised onboard experience. Onward features Azamara's signature touches, including spacious staterooms, speciality dining, enriching activities and wellness offerings. The refined, modern décor enhances the sense of relaxed, upscale comfort.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. 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.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.