Classic French Riviera – Including Nice and Monte Carlo

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing to France.  Continue south making an overnight stop enroute.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to the South of France

After breakfast continue the journey south and to the French Riviera resort of Menton for the next 5 nights.  After check-in there may be time to explore for having dinner at the hotel this evening.

At Leisure in Menton ‘The City of Lemons’  (driver’s rest day)

The garden town of Menton is one of France’s 120 ‘Cities of Art & History’.  Wander around the old town with its cluster of pastel-shaded houses and steep alleyways.  See also the Russian Church and Carnolis Palace, the former summer residence of the princes of Monaco and now the town’s art gallery.  The Palace gardens have Europe’s largest collection of citrus trees with sculptures hidden amongst the plants and trees.

You can stroll along the promenade, admire the Baroque churches and villas or visit the museums dedicated to Jean Cocteau and other artists.  You can also enjoy the local cuisine, which blends French and Italian influences, and taste the famous Menton lemon, which is celebrated every year with a lively festival.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Nice and Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa and Gardens

Travel to Nice, the ‘capital’ of the French Riviera with its great shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco facades. Stroll along the famous ‘Promenade des Anglais’ or visit the atmospheric old town and the very popular and famous Cours Saleya flower market (closed Mondays). Maybe visit the Matisse Museum or the Russian Othodox Cathedral. Why not make a free visit to the iconic confectioner ‘Confiserie Florian’ for a tasting?

Continue to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a magnificent Belle Epoque palace located in nearby Cap Ferrat, whose nine themed gardens overlook the sea.  Explore the State Apartments, the Porcelain Collection and many other rooms in the palace and spend some time in the gardens on a self-guided visit.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Mountain Villages, Artists and Perfume

Drive to the hill-top medieval walled village of St. Paul de Vence for a guided walking tour.  The village is filled with art galleries and boutiques, and where many famous artists have worked, including Picasso, Matisse and Chagall who lived there for 19 years and is buried in the local cemetery.  It has also hosted world cinema stars including Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren.  The streets are covered with pebbles and are a real work of art and there are magnificent views of the coast and the mountains from many parts of the village.

After some free time continue to the beautiful village of Grasse, world capital of the perfume industry. There is an International Museum of Perfume here and four important perfume producers are still based in the town and a visit and tour of the Fragonard Parfumeur distillery is included.   Discover the Old Town where many of the tall narrow houses are painted in pastel orange colours to brighten the narrow streets, and there are numerous shops, cafes and restaurants in the open squares.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Hidden Gems of Monte Carlo

The tiny Principality of Monaco is made up of four quarters, most famously Monte Carlo, home to the casino. Monaco’s fortified old town however feels a world away from the skyscrapers and instead has a charming feel with a Royal Palace, Cathedral and stunning gardens. Explore this glamorous town with a local guide and perhaps watch the changing of the Palace Guards or stroll along the streets that make up the amazing Grand Prix Circuit which also runs alongside the marina where the rich and famous moor their yachts! Enjoy some free time at the Casino Square or ‘Golden Square’ with prestigious shops, amazing restaurants and luxury cars.  Why not visit the The Musée Océanographique de Monaco, one of the oldest aquariums in the world with over 90 pools including a Shark Lagoon. (Entrance not included)

Depart Menton

Sadly, it’s time to leave the French Riviera and make the homeward journey, travelling north and making an overnight stop enroute.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast for the port of Calais or Dunkirk and take the ferry across to the UK.