Group tour operator for the Italian Riviera

Depart the UK

Drive to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais or Dunkerque.  Continue south, through France and make an overnight stop.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to the Italian Riviera

Depart after breakfast for the onward journey, travelling further south via Lyon and towards the Italian border.  Continue past Turin and to the Riviera and the resort of Diano Marina for the next 6 nights.  After check-in, relax before having dinner together in the hotel.

Diano Marina at leisure (Driver’s rest day)

Spend this morning at leisure to relax and unwind after the long journey.  Enjoy the facilities of the hotel or explore the surroundings of this delightful seaside town.  See historical villas and gardens, stroll along the beach or browse around the local shops.   Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

Note:  We can make some alternative suggestions for this day if the hotel is based in another resort along the coast

Mediterranean Villages and Coastal Cruise

A scenic drive along  the coast, passing Genoa, to the resort of Rapallo, the largest and most important seaside resort of the Mediterranean coast with a large bay, castle, marina and historical centre.  After some free time we will embark on a short boat trip, admiring the dramatic coast and the pretty villages as we sail along.  A stop may be made at one of the prettiest and most colourful towns on the coast, Santa Margherita Ligure, with Belle Époque buildings, a lively harbour and beachside promenade.

The cruise will continue to Portofino – a world-famous fishing village of pastel hued houses which are so pretty they looks like they belongs in a watercolour painting. This is the perfect place to soak up some sunshine and glorious views whilst sipping a glass of Italian wine or sampling a delicious ‘gelato’ before making the return journey to Rapallo by boat where the coach will be waiting to return to the hotel.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

(Important:  Not all cruises will call in/stop at Santa Margherita and sailings are subject to change and weather conditions. Also, coaches are no longer allowed into the town, therefore access is only by boat).

San Remo

San Remo is the capital of the ‘Riviera of Flowers’ which boasts a promenade, a grand casino, a pretty domed Russian Orthodox Church and romantic old town with narrow streets, plenty of shops, bars and cafes.  Explore the old harbour around Porto Vecchio which is quite small.  The town is abundant with impressive villas, gardens and ornate churches and located not far from the border with France and has one of the most western beaches in Italy.

Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.

Monaco and Monte Carlo

Accompanied by an experienced guide, discover one of Europe’s smallest countries, the Principality of Monaco.  Nestled in a cove along the coast close to the French/Italian border, it is the home of the rich and famous.  Explore the historic cliff-top Old Town which is dominated by a fortress known as ‘The Rock’.  The Old Town is where the Grimaldi family’s palace stands overlooking the port and famous Casino and close to St. Nicholas Cathedral and where the Changing of the Palace Guard takes place every day at 11.55 am.  During some free time why not hop on a tourist train for a 30 minute tour and see more sites such as Port Hercule, Monte-Carlo and its luxury hotels, the famous Casino and its gardens or the famous Grand Prix Circuit.

Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.

Ventimiglia Market, Wine Tasting and Ancient Villages

Ventimiglia is located on the border with France and it became famous for its lively markets popular with locals and tourists alike. Friday is Ventimiglia’s open-air market day and you can find many bargains at the stalls which run the length of the town and sea front.  (There is a covered market which is open daily).  Afterwards,  continue a short way to visit Antico Frantoio, a local winery and olive oil producer, for tastings of local produce and wine.  On the return to the hotel, a stop will be made at the ancient hillside village of Dolceacqua which is overlooked by a castle and with a humpback bridge arching attractively over a scenic river.  It’s so beautiful that Claude Monet even visited here to paint.

Return to the hotel for a final dinner and evening in Italy.

Depart Diano Marina

Depart after breakfast, retracing the journey north back into France and an overnight stop.  Dinner will be included at the hotel.

Return to the UK

Continue the homeward journey through France and to Calais or Dunkerque and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.

Alassio and Coastal Cruise

Enjoy a cruise (approx. 1.5 hours) around the privately owned island of Gallinara, a wildlife sanctuary (summer only). Spend some time exploring this pretty coastal town with an elegant promenade, shops, bars and cafes.

Menton and Villages

Menton is a chic, French, coastal resort not far from the border with Italy.  It plays host to the famous Menton Lemon Festival which takes place in February/March every year.  Known as the ‘Pearl of France’ it is also famous for it’s pastel-hued Old Town, terraced gardens, citrus groves and seaside promenade.  This could be combined with a visit to Dolceacqua (see Day 7 above).