Italian Riviera, Monaco & the French Cote d'Azur

Day 1

We depart today, crossing the English Channel and arriving at an overnight hotel in France this evening.

Day 2

We continue our journey across the Italian border to our hotel in Diano Marina, where we will spend the next six nights.

Day 3

Today, we enjoy a leisurely start before our first excursion to Alassio. Arriving via a coastal drive along the Riviera of Flowers, this chic resort boasts a gorgeous beach adorned with flowers and foliage. Why not stroll along the carrugio, a typical Ligurian street along the coast, and visit the patisseries, shops, and bars that line it? We return via a visit to Cervo, a beautifully preserved historic village known as one of Italy's most beautiful; the village's long history dates back over two thousand years with ties to the Roman Empire and medieval pilgrims.

Day 4

After this morning's early start, we cross the French border to explore the cosmopolitan Cote d'Azur with a stop in Èze to visit Galimard, one of the oldest perfumeries in the world. Our guided tour takes us into the enchanting world of perfume-making, learning how the talented team brings unique, exquisite fragrances to life before having the chance to buy these creations at a bargain price! From here, we continue to glamorous Nice, the jewel of the French Riviera. Stroll along the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais, step back in time to the atmospheric Old Town, explore stunning churches or visit the Henri Matisse Art Museum, found in a seventeenth-century manor.

Day 5

Enjoy a day at leisure in Diano Marina at your own pace. Get to know this charming resort, often called 'the city of the orange trees', situated below the Maritime Alps, home to sweeping stretches of coastlines and views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 6

We return to France today, with dreamy Menton being our first stop. One of the Côte d'Azur's most blissful sights, a wander through its lemon gardens, sandy beaches and tightly packed traditional alleyways comes highly recommended. The tiny principality of Monaco is today's highlight. Less than a square mile in size, we visit the unofficial capital of Monte Carlo, home to the Royal Palace and Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly in 1956. We continue via the roads of the famous Monaco Grand Prix to the Monte Carlo Casino, the playground of the rich and famous. There's much more to explore, including a bustling marina, where you can usually find millionaires' yachts and fantastic shops.

Day 7

Our morning excursion includes a visit to Ventimiglia Market, the largest market in Italy and an institution for both locals and visitors. Found just a stone's throw from the coast, genuine Italian leather goods are available for much less than you'd pay at home. We return via a visit to elegant Sanremo, known as the 'City of Flowers'. Home to a medieval centre and picturesque harbour, it's best known for being the Italian Riviera's most cosmopolitan resort, awash with elegant shopping boutiques and its casinos.

Day 8

We bid 'arrivederci' to Italy and retrace our journey back through France and tonight's overnight hotel.

Day 9

Today, we return home, by channel crossing and road.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner