Soak up the sun and spot the stars in the French Riviera. Strung along 71 miles of azure coastline, this is the glamour capital of France, where grand hotels line fashionable seaside promenades, mega-yachts dock next to fishermen unloading the day’s catch, and the gently lapping waters of the Mediterranean sparkle invitingly. For a chance to walk the red carpet, visit Cannes. This formerly sleepy fishing village transforms into a playground for the ultra-rich each year during the Cannes Film Festival. Take in a film, amble along La Croisette—Cannes’s glitzy promenade and keep a lookout for celebrity sightings. As the French Riviera’s largest city and unofficial capital, Nice is sure to delight with its world-class art museums, stellar dining, and old-world decadence. Explore the lively markets or wander through the narrow alleys and cobblestone lanes of the historic Old Town, perhaps stopping for a warm bowl of bouillabaisse, the region’s famous fish stew, along the way.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 7 Nights at a 4 star hotel in Cannes– home of the world famous Film Festival
- Monaco
- Monte Carlo
- Eze
- Lerin Islands
- St. Tropez
- Grasse
- St. Paul De Vence
- San Remo
- Antibes
- Nice
INCLUSIONS
- Round trip airfare
- Airline fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- 7 Nights First Class Hotel
- 11 meals (7 B, 1L, 3D)
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- Admissions per itinerary
- Professional Tour Manager
- Baggage handling
- Hotel transfers
- Day 1 - Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to the amazing French Riviera. Relax and enjoy the in-flight meal service and on-board entertainment.
- Day 2 - Nice/Cannes: Upon arrival, you will clear passport control and customs and then meet your C I Destinations Tour Manager. Once aboard our motor coach, the scenic transfer begins along the beautiful coast road via Juan-les-Pins to Cannes. There, you will find your hotel. After check-in, there will be time to freshen up and relax. Be sure to stroll out of the hotel on to one of the most elegant seaside promenades in the world: La Croisette. There will be a “get acquainted” meeting before a delicious welcome dinner. (D)
- Day 3 - Cannes/Island: This afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat ride to St. Honorat Island. This island features beautiful gardens, a monastery, and picturesque views of Cannes. In the afternoon, enjoy the Rue d’Antibes, Cannes most famous shopping street, or head for the promenade with its beautiful flower beds and beaches gently caressed by the blue Mediterranean Sea. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B)
- Day 4 - Italy/San Remo/Dolceaqua: Today’s excursion is to the beautiful Riviera Liguria of Italy. You’ll visit San Remo Italy’s oldest winter health resort. The main economy of this region is the production of olive oil and flowers grown for export throughout the world. You will have lunch this afternoon in Italy. Later, you will visit the quaint village of Dolceaqua to see its unique bridge. (B,L)
- Day 5 - Cannes/Antibes/St. Paul de Vence: This morning you drive into Antibes to view the yachts in Port in Millionaire’s Quay. The visit includes the old town of Antibes and the famous market. Your tour continues to the fortified town of St. Paul de Vence. The painter Chagall lived here. You may want to stroll through the town’s narrow passageways, browse the galleries and shops before returning to Cannes. (B)
- Day 6 - Cannes/Grasse/Mougins: This afternoon you’ll drive by motorcoach into Grasse, center of the world-wide perfume industry. Its many small distilleries provide the essences to perfume manufacturers in Paris, London, and Rome. You will visit a distillery and see firsthand how the flowers of the region are processed to provide the fragrant essences that are the basis of all perfumes. Then you will continue out into the country to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the medieval village of Mougins. (B,D)
- Day 7 - St. Tropez: Your sightseeing heads westward along the coast. Your first stop is beautiful St. Tropez. The village has a lovely old town and intriguing museums. The narrow streets wind back from the coast up to the citadel and the Chateau Suffren which was built in the late 15th Century. The houses are in the simple style of fisherman’s houses. Many are boutiques today. They are painted in provencal tones ranging from pale cream to deep terracotta. You will go to a WW2 landing beach and see a tribute monument to the soldiers who landed on Aug. 15, 1944 to liberate France. (B)
- Day 8 - Nice/Monaco/Monte Carlo: Today you will visit the beautiful city of Nice. Drive along the world famous Promenade des Anglais, lined with magnificent palms and planted with vibrantly colored blooms, on our way to visiting the old Jesuit church of Saint Jacques. You will then drive along the breathtaking coast to the principality of Monaco. This tiny independent state consists of only 475 acres. Royalty, athletes, movie stars, and celebrities make Monaco their home. Monte Carlo is the capital of the principality. It is home to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the lovely Princess Grace Rose Gardens, the world-famous Grand Casino, and the Royal Palace. This afternoon is yours to explore. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,D)
- Day 9 - Nice/USA: Following breakfast you will transfer to the Nice airport for your return flight home, taking with you many wonderful memories of the French Riviera. (B)
