This super rail-cruise combines the romance of continental rail travel with a relaxing cruise on the MSC Melody taking in exquisite ports, including magnificent Istanbul and the Black Sea resorts of Odessa & Yalta, famous for the meeting of Churchill, Roosevelt & Stalin in 1945 to decide the future of Europe after World War 2.

The MSC Melody is an intimate ship with just 532 cabins, yet with a full complement of facilities, including two large pools – one of which has a retractable roof. You can drink and dine al fresco or in the traditional comfort of the Galaxy restaurant. Comfortable lounges, intimate bars and a fine theatre make every evening a sparkling affair.

The holiday starts with an early morning departure by Eurostar to Lille or Paris where we change rains to the French TGV all the way to Nice. Here we break our journey with an overnight stay at a hotel before continuing by coach to join the MSC Melody in Genoa to start our 11-night full-board cruise.

There’s something wonderfully sociable about a cruise on a smaller ship, you’ll soon notice how quickly the crew on MSC Melody get to know you, how friendly they are and how attentive the service is.

You can drink and dine al fresco or in the traditional comfort of the Galaxy restaurant. Elsewhere you’ll find graceful public areas with high ceilings throughout giving MSC Melody a refreshing sense of space and style. Comfortable lounges, intimate bars and a fine theatre make every evening a sparkling affair whilst night owls can always be found dancing the night away in the Starlight Disco.

At the end of the cruise we disembark in Genoa and transfer to Nice station for the return journey to London, arriving early evening.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart St Pancras International in the early morning by Eurostar to Lille where we join the French TGV train to Nice. Transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. Evening free to explore and obtain dinner.

Day 2: After breakfast we check out of ther hotel and join our coach for the transfer to Genoa to board the MSC Melody, which departs at 18.00hrs.

Day 3: Arrive in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, at 07:30hrs.

Day 4: At Sea.

Day 5: Arrive in Piraeus, the port for Athens, at 13:00hrs. Depart at 18:0hrs.

Day 6: At Sea.

Day 7: Arrive in Yalta, Ukraine at 10:30hrs. Depart at 17:00hrs. Yalta is famous as the meeting between Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt in 1945 to decide on the division of Europe after the Second World War.

Day 8: Arrive in Odessa, Ukraine at 07:00hrs. Depart at 12:30hrs. Perhaps best known for its pivotal role in Frederick Forsyth’s spy thriller, the Odessa File, these days Odessa is a thriving enterprise city with an air of elegance from its 19th century Art Nouveau-style architecture.

Day 9: Arrive in Istanbul at 09:00hrs. Depart at 16:00hrs. The east-meets-west city of Istanbul has a fascinating culture, is full or architectural gems and, of course, the famous souks – indoor markets where you can buy everything from exotic spices to gold and jewellery.

Day 10: At Sea.

Day 11: Arrive at Messina, Sicily at 13:00hrs. Depart at 18:00hrs. Founded by the ancient Greeks, Messina is a historic town with a modern outlook. Its narrow streets are full of interesting corners and there’s a thriving café culture. Taomina, the Greco-Roman town with a well-preserved amphitheatre is the histric tourist attraction close to Messina.

Day 12: Arrive in Sorrento, Italy at 08:00hrs. Depart at 13:00hrs. One of Italy's most famours resorts, known for its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, orange and citrus groves.

Day 13: Arrive in Genoa, Italy at 10:00hrs. Disembark the shipt and transfer by coach to Nice to check into our overnight hotel. Free time to explore at leisure and obtain dinner.

Day 14: Check out of the hotel after breakfast and transfer to the station to join the TGV for the return journey to London via Lille.

CABINS

Inside cabin on Bahamas Deck – category 5 on Deck 6 – £1499pp

Outside Cabin – category 8 on Bahamas, Restaurant, Oceanic & Continental decks – £1699pp

Other stateroom categories available on request.

Nice Hotel – 2⁄3 star

Modern hotel in the city.

Champagne Check-in
The grandeur of St Pancras’ famous Champagne Bar is the perfect place to begin your holiday with a glass of bubbly, or a non-alcoholic alternative.

Early morning Departure
Departure from London St Pancras is around 7.30am, necessitating a 7am (latest) check-in. An overnight stay at a nearby hotel prior to travel is worth considering – call for information.

Eurostar – London to Lille
From London St Pancras, Eurostar takes just over 90 minutes to Lille. As part of your Standard Premier journey, waiting staff are on hand to serve a fresh, light, healthy meal to your seat. As for drinks, you can take your pick from tea, coffee and soft drinks, or maybe relax with a glass of wine or beer.

TGV – Paris to the South of France
For thje South of France we hop on the 186mph TGV at Paris Gare de Lyon station. The journey is around 5 hours. The train has a buffet car serving drinks and snacks. You will have a reserved seat on the lower or upper level of the train.

RAIL TRAVEL – IS IT FOR ME?

Travel & Luggage
Travel by rail is comfortable and relaxing. However, there are some practical issues to consider:
• If handling your own luggage, you will have to move all your own bags on and off trains and between platforms and transfer vehicles. Our tour manager will be unable to provide physical assistance with luggage.
• On TGV trains, you may be allocated seats on the the upper floor, which means you would have to carry your bags upstairs.
• Many train stations and platforms are big and long, sometimes with stairs or escalators. Some stations have lifts, but using them can involve a longer walk, so be prepared for this when walking with your luggage.

Please Help us to Help You: There are some practical issues to consider when travelling by rail. In our experience, clients who discuss with us their concerns over luggage, mobility limitations and⁄or health issues (including visibility, hearing etc) when booking, are far more satisfied with the level of service we provide and enjoy a more relaxed and fun holiday, compared to those who attempt to cope without our expert advice.

We must stress that in our opinion this holiday is not suitable for users of mobility scooters or wheelchairs.