7D/6N - 2020 Italian Riviera and French Coast - small group

day 01 Milan-Genoa

Depart at 08:30 a.m. from Milan to Genoa (departure is also possible directly from Genoa at Hotel Moderno Verdi, joining the group at 10:30 a.m.). Genoa’s historical centre has grown around the dock and it is now full of narrow and characteristic streets with medieval origin. Visit of the modern zone of “Ancient Port", restored for the 500 years of America discovery by Christopher Columbus. Here we find the Aquarius, the second biggest in Europe. You have the rest of the day at leisure for personal discoveries.

day 02 Genoa-Rapallo-Portofino-Santa Margherita-Genoa

Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Portovenere, a fishermen village located at the end of La Spezia Gulf. Visit. Ferry to Cinque Terre (if the atmospheric conditions doesn’t permit the boarding, the visit will be done with a panoramic itinerary in minibus.) Heritage of the Unesco, these 5 fishermen villages, symbolize a group unique in the World for its beautiful landscape and the medieval style of their buildings. Enjoy some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Genoa for overnight.

day 03 Genoa-Portovenere-Cinque Terre-Genoa

Today, depart to Portovenere, a fishermen village located at the end of La Spezia Gulf. Visit. Ferry to Cinque Terre (if the atmospheric conditions don’t permit the boarding, the visit will be done with a panoramic itinerary in a minibus). Heritage of the Unesco, these 5 fishermen villages, symbolize a group unique in the World for its beautiful landscape and the medieval style of their buildings. You will have some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we drive back to Portovenere and then to Genoa. B

day 04 Genoa-San Remo-Monaco-Nice

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Sanremo, which is known all over the world for the Italian Song Festival. Its economy is based on flower farming and tourism. This little town of Riviera di Ponente (Western Riviera), offers many possibilities of entertainment like beaches and nice promenades. Its famous Casino is situated on the top of the most elegant street of the town, where you can find shops of clothes and many others. You will have some time for lunch before heading to Monaco. You can see the strong influence of Liguria in this city dominated by Grimaldi princes’ palace. Visit through the narrow streets of the centre to take picture of the Aquarius, and the Cathedral in which princess Grace was buried. Then, we will go on a short drive around the city of Montecarlo, famous everywhere for its characteristic Grand Prix. You can observe the futuristic palace Grimaldi Forum and probably the most important European casino (if the tour will be realized by coach, the area around the casino is not allowed to this kind of vehicle). We drive back to Nice for overnight.

day 05 Nice-St Raphael-St Tropez-Costa Del Esterel-Nice

Today, you will go on a full day of excursion around the French Riviera. First, visit of St. Raphael and St. Tropez, famous for both their beaches but especially for a great number of stars who spend their holidays in the neighbourhood. Lunch is at leisure before returning to Nice, through Esteral Coast, best known as Corniche d’or, due to its wonderful panorama. Small beaches but also great peaks and rocks surround a clear and shining sea.

day 06 Nice-St Paul de Vence-Grasse-Cannes-Nice

In the morning, depart to St. Paul de Vence. This is a small medieval village that still presents the old wall, built by Frank I in 1537; Chagall and Prevert have spent many years of their artistic career here. Grasse is famous for the production of perfumes but also presents a nice historical centre, with Hotel de Ville and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Guided visit to the factory of perfume, discovering tradition and history of this great production worldwide famous. Enjoy some at leisure for lunch before heading to Cannes, probably the most modern town of the district: beach resort, place of many cultural events as the Film Festival, celebrated in the middle of May. We drive back to Nice for overnight.

day 07 Nice-Milan

After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure for last minute discoveries. Then, we depart to Milan, with a stop on the route in a typical village for lunch. Finally, arrive in Milan where your tour comes to an end.

Inclusions: twin share in 4* accommodation, breakfast daily, small group tour, deluxe coach, English speaking courier (leaving from 9 participant; from 1 to 8 participants, only driver speaking English), Focaccia and focaccia with cheese tasting, visit to the perfume factory in Grasse, local taxes.

Hotels: Genoa-Starhotel President, Nice-Mercure Grimaldi (or similar)

Excluding: entrance fees, meals, porterage and city taxes to be paid directly to the hotels.

Note: from November to March the touristic ferry service from Como to Bellagio does not work. The itinerary will be changed with a panoramic road.