$9999—Europe rail & sail: 28 nts, 16 cities & 3 lakes w/air

This is the kind of Europe trip to cross the world for. Four weeks to experience it properly, from northern Italy to the Mediterranean. At the Italian lakes, Europe slows down. Mornings begin beside Lake Maggiore, with mountains beyond and old towns close at hand. Then the Centovalli Railway pulls you into the Alps, crossing from Italy into Switzerland through villages and deep valleys. Como follows with grand villas and waterfront towns. At Garda, a ferry pass lets you explore the shoreline at your own pace. By the time you reach Trieste and board Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, the journey has shifted from stillness to movement. From here, follow the warmth south as summer touches the Mediterranean. Croatia and Montenegro bring walled towns and dramatic Adriatic shores. Italy brings ancient cities and long lunches. Barcelona, Málaga and Almería reveal three different sides of Spain while Tangier shifts the scene to Morocco. Corsica and Provence ease you back into the Mediterranean before returning to Barcelona. The 28-night holiday includes return flights, 4-star stays, touring and transfers, plus the three-week full-board cruise. From mountain-framed lakes to sun-soaked shores, Europe is at its most beautiful.

Starting at just $9999 per person, Travelzoo members enjoy an exclusive $1000 off Imagine Cruising's usual prices. 

What's included

• International economy flights from Australia* to Milan, return from Barcelona
• Hotel stays including breakfast^
  • 3 nights at the 4-star Zacchera Hotels Collection, Lake Maggiore
  • 2 nights at the 4-star Hotel Savoy Palace, Lake Garda
• Scenic rail journey through the Italian and Swiss Alps onboard the Centovalli Railway
• Guided Lake Como tour
• Lake Garda hop-on-hop-off ferry ticket
• 21-night, full-board Mediterranean cruise onboard Oosterdam from Trieste to Barcelona
  • Ports of call: Zadar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), Barcelona, Málaga, Tangier (Morocco), Almería, Cagliari, a second visit to Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Ajaccio (Corsica), Marseille and Barcelona
  • All onboard meals (specialty dining excluded)
  • Onboard entertainment and live music
  • All port fees and government taxes
• Transfers throughout

When

This itinerary departs Australia* on 9 May 2027.

Book by 17 September 2026.

Cabin upgrades

Featured prices are based on an Inside cabin while cruising. Upgrades start from $1500 per person:

• +$1500 for an Outside cabin
• +$3000 for a Balcony

To find out more, see our partner's website.

Holiday snapshot

Australia* - Milan - Lake Maggiore - Centovalli Railway - Lake Como - Lake Garda - Trieste - Zadar - Dubrovnik - Kotor - Corfu - Messina - Naples - Rome - Barcelona - Málaga - Tangier - Almería - Cagliari - Rome - Florence/Pisa - Ajaccio - Marseille - Barcelona - Australia*

Itinerary highlights

Milan is your gateway to northern Italy, with your arrival followed by a transfer to the shores of Lake Maggiore.

Three nights around Lake Maggiore bring grand villas, manicured gardens and beautiful Alpine scenery. The surrounding region is also the starting point for a spectacular rail journey through the mountains.

The Centovalli Railway carries you across the Italian and Swiss Alps, winding through deep valleys, forests and mountain villages. Large windows make the changing Alpine scenery part of the journey.

Dramatic peaks and elegant waterfront towns surround Lake Como, where a guided tour reveals grand villas, colourful villages and some of Italy's most celebrated lakeside scenery.

Two nights at Lake Garda offer time to experience Italy's largest lake. A hop-on-hop-off ferry makes it easy to explore picturesque towns scattered along its shores.

Elegant Habsburg architecture and grand waterfront squares give Trieste a distinctly Central European character. This Adriatic port marks the beginning of the Mediterranean cruise.

Roman ruins and medieval streets fill Zadar, while its waterfront brings a contemporary twist with the Sea Organ and spectacular Adriatic sunsets.

Encircled by ancient walls, Dubrovnik reveals marble streets, terracotta rooftops and centuries of history. Walk the fortifications for sweeping views across the old town and Adriatic.

Sailing into Kotor brings dramatic views of mountains plunging towards the bay. Ashore, medieval lanes, stone churches and intimate squares fill the fortified old town.

Venetian architecture and cobbled lanes shape Corfu, where the UNESCO-listed old town gives way to olive-covered hills and turquoise Ionian coves.

Sicilian history unfolds in Messina, where its cathedral and astronomical clock sit within reach of Mount Etna, Taormina and the island's dramatic eastern coastline.

The chaotic energy of Naples comes with access to some of southern Italy's greatest treasures. Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the spectacular Amalfi Coast are all within reach.

Few cities rival Rome for sheer historical scale, with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican City and Trevi Fountain revealing different chapters of the Eternal City.

Gaudí's extraordinary imagination shapes Barcelona, from the soaring Sagrada Família to colourful Park Güell. Gothic lanes, lively markets and Mediterranean waterfronts add another side to the city.

Moorish heritage meets Mediterranean life in Málaga, where the hilltop Alcazaba overlooks historic streets, Picasso landmarks and the beaches of the Costa del Sol.

Crossing to North Africa brings the colourful medina of Tangier, where winding lanes, bustling souks and mint-tea cafés reveal a fascinating blend of Moroccan and European influences.

The immense Alcazaba dominates Almería, while whitewashed streets lead towards Spain's southeastern coast. Beyond the city, stark desert landscapes have provided backdrops for countless films.

Sardinia's capital, Cagliari, climbs from the Mediterranean towards a historic hilltop quarter. Ancient ruins, lively piazzas and beautiful beaches showcase different sides of the island.

Renaissance masterpieces surround you in Florence, from Brunelleschi's magnificent Duomo to Ponte Vecchio. Galleries, palaces and piazzas make the historic centre an open-air showcase of Italian art.

The unmistakable Leaning Tower is the star attraction in Pisa, rising beside the cathedral and baptistery within the monumental Piazza dei Miracoli.

Napoleon's birthplace, Ajaccio, combines Corsican history with palm-lined waterfronts and rugged Mediterranean scenery. Beaches and mountain landscapes stretch beyond the compact old town.

France's oldest city reveals itself around the colourful Old Port of Marseille. Wander through historic Le Panier or venture into Provence for coastal scenery and picturesque villages.