Experience the perfect combination of luxury river cruising and private rail travel with Uniworld’s Cruise & Rail journeys. Designed to offer a seamless and immersive way to explore the world, these unique itineraries combine all-inclusive river cruises, luxury train adventures, and premium hotel stays into one unforgettable experience. Travel through breathtaking landscapes, discover iconic cities and hidden gems, and enjoy exceptional service, gourmet dining, and carefully curated excursions every step of the way. Whether exploring the historic waterways of Europe or the cultural treasures of India, Cruise & Rail offers a sophisticated and stress-free way to experience multiple destinations in comfort, style, and luxury.
Highlights
- Seamless blend of luxury river cruising and private train travel across multiple destinations
- All-inclusive journeys with gourmet dining, fine wines, and premium onboard service
- Luxury accommodations on river ships, private trains, and selected five-star hotels
- Travel with world-class rail partners, including Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and Maharajas’ Express
- Daily curated excursions and immersive cultural experiences in each destination
- Fully managed travel logistics, including transfers and seamless transitions between cruise, rail, and hotel stays
- Exceptional comfort throughout, with elegant cabins, suites, and panoramic views along the journey
Itinerary
Please see below summarized itinerary for the tour options below:
Cruise & Rail: Sicily to Venice (13 Days)
A luxury journey from Taormina to Venice combining a private train experience and a Venetian Lagoon cruise.
Begin in Taormina and Palermo, exploring coastal scenery, historic towns, and cultural landmarks in Sicily. Travel north aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express, stopping in Maratea and Verona for guided tours, culinary experiences, and scenic landscapes.
Arrive in Venice to explore St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, then cruise through the Venetian Lagoon visiting Burano, Murano, Torcello, and Chioggia. The journey blends heritage cities, rail travel, and luxury cruising, ending in Venice.
Cruise & Rail: Slovenia, Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans (20 Days)
A luxury journey from Ljubljana to Istanbul blending river cruising, private rail travel, and immersive cultural experiences across the Adriatic and Balkans.
Begin in Ljubljana, with excursions to Lake Bled and the Karst region. Continue to Venice for a cruise through the Venetian Lagoon, exploring Burano, Murano, Chioggia, and Venice’s historic landmarks.
Board the Golden Eagle Danube Express for a private rail journey through the Balkans, visiting Trieste, Postojna Caves, Pula, Rijeka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Belgrade, Sofia, and Plovdiv, with guided cultural experiences throughout.
The journey concludes in Istanbul, where guests explore its blend of East and West before departure.
Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris (15 Days)
A luxury journey combining private rail travel across seven countries with a Seine River cruise through France.
Start in Istanbul, then travel by private train through Sofia, Belgrade, Postojna, Vienna, Champagne, and onward to Paris, experiencing major European capitals and alpine landscapes across Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, and France.
In Paris, begin a Seine River cruise through La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Étretat, Normandy Beaches, and Versailles, before returning to Paris.
Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul (14 Days)
A refined journey pairing a Seine River cruise with a private rail expedition to Istanbul.
Begin in Paris, cruising through Normandy, including Giverny, Rouen, and Versailles along the Seine River.
Continue by private train through Champagne, Vienna, Postojna, Belgrade, Sofia, and onward to Istanbul, experiencing vineyards, alpine scenery, and historic capitals across Europe.
End in Istanbul, where East meets West in a grand finale of bazaars, palaces, and Bosphorus views.
Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas’ Express (16 Days)
A luxury river and rail journey through India combining the Ganges River and the Maharajas’ Express.
Begin aboard the Ganges Voyager II, exploring Kolkata, Kalna, Murshidabad, Mayapur, and riverside villages along the Ganges.
Continue by rail on the Maharajas’ Express, visiting New Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and ending in Mumbai. The journey highlights India’s temples, palaces, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
Cruise & Rail: Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans (17 Days)
A luxury cruise and private train journey connecting Venice and Istanbul through the Balkans.
Begin in Venice, exploring the Venetian Lagoon including Burano, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia. Continue by private train through Trieste, Postojna, and the Adriatic region.
Travel through the Balkans with stops in Rijeka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Belgrade, Sofia, and Plovdiv. The journey concludes in Istanbul, where guests explore its historic blend of Europe and Asia before departure.
Contact our travel experts: 1800 278 473 or email travel@PlatinumCruising.com to discuss your itinerary.
Departures & Rates
Cruise & Rail Journeys
Cruise & Rail: A Taste of Italy & Venice
13 Days | Taormina to Venice
From $31,769 per person* win share.
Cruise & Rail: Slovenia, Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans
20 Days | Ljubljana to Istanbul
From $42,398 per person* win share.
Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris
15 Days | Istanbul to Paris
From $40,148 per person* win share.
Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas’ Express
16 Days | Kolkata to Mumbai
From $37,099 per person* win share.
Cruise & Rail: Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans
17 Days | Venice to Istanbul
From $39,598 per person* win share.
Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul
14 Days | Paris to Istanbul
From $40,948 per person* win share.
Available on a limited number of staterooms.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
Accommodation
Accommodation Highlights
Accommodation may vary depending on the tour you have booked.
- Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina (or similar luxury hotel) – A refined hillside retreat offering elegant rooms, timeless Sicilian charm, and sweeping views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.
- Golden Eagle Danube Express Luxury Cabins & Suites – Private en-suite cabins designed for comfort and style, featuring panoramic windows, daytime seating that converts into beds, and attentive onboard service.
- Maharajas’ Express Luxury Suites – Lavishly appointed cabins inspired by royal Indian heritage, combining modern comforts with a regal atmosphere and personalized hospitality.
- S.S. La Venezia Riverview Staterooms & Suites – Sophisticated river-view accommodations with handcrafted beds, premium linens, and elegant interiors designed for relaxation while cruising the Venetian Lagoon.
- S.S. Joie de Vivre Riverview Staterooms & Suites – Parisian-inspired staterooms blending classic French design with modern luxury, offering scenic river views along the Seine.
- S.S. Maria Theresa Riverview Staterooms & Suites – Baroque-inspired elegance with richly detailed interiors and spacious layouts, reflecting the grandeur of Central Europe.
- Ganges Voyager II Riverview Suites – Spacious suites featuring private French balconies, allowing guests to take in the vibrant river life and cultural scenes along the Ganges.
- Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (or similar) – A restored historic prison turned luxury sanctuary, offering tranquil courtyards and an unbeatable location in Istanbul’s Old City.
- InterContinental Ljubljana (or similar) – A modern luxury hotel in the heart of Slovenia’s capital, featuring panoramic city views and contemporary comfort.
- San Clemente Palace Venice (or similar) – A secluded private island retreat in the Venetian Lagoon, combining historic architecture with peaceful luxury surroundings.
- The Oberoi New Delhi & Mumbai (or similar) – Iconic five-star hotels known for exceptional service, elegant design, and world-class dining in India’s most dynamic cities.
