The French and Italian Rivieras

Experience the best of both worlds with the laid-back beauty of the Italian Riviera and the glamour of the French Riviera.

An ideal mix of Italian charm and French glamour, this easy-paced European getaway starts in picturesque Bordighera, where you’ll have plenty of time to explore this beach town on the Italian Riviera. From here, you can relax or take in the sights like the Casino di Sanremo and the Villa Ormond, with its Japanese garden and olive groves. A walking tour of the city leads you down the winding streets, backed by views of the Ligurian Sea.

Continue with visits to the French Riviera, including Nice, where you can admire landmarks like the Palais de Justice and the impressive Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Discover the art and culture of St-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, and Antibes, home to the Picasso Museum and beautiful 16th-century ramparts. Revel in the opulence of chic Cannes, walking the legendary Promenade de la Croisette, before spending a day in Monaco, visiting the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and Monaco Grand Prix circuit.

What's Included:

• Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the Hotel Piccolo Lido, Bordighera
• Morning walking tour of Sanremo
• Visit to Nice and Cannes
• Visit to St-Paul-de-Vence and Antibes
• Return flights from the UK to Nice
• Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Highlights:

• Visit Nice where you’ll see the Palais de Justice, Opéra de Nice, and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral
• Visit Antibes, where you can see the Picasso Museum and the historic centre
• Experience Genoa on an optional excursion with its medieval landmarks like Piazza San Matteo, Palazzo Ducale, and San Lorenzo Cathedral
• Discover the charming palm-lined promenades of Sanremo and wander around the historic La Pigna district
• Spend time in the beach town of Bordighera on the Italian Riviera
• Enjoy the glamourous sights of Cannes along the Promenade de la Croisette
• Visit the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, the luxury-filled Port Hercule, and Monaco Grand Prix circuit on an optional excursion

Day 1: Fly to Nice

Today, you’ll fly to Nice airport and be welcomed by your friendly, local tour manager. A coach will then transfer you to your hotel in Bordighera.

The rest of the evening will be free to unwind, perhaps taking in the view of the Ligurian Sea with a drink at sunset before dinner.

Day 2: Full day at leisure in Bordighera

Known for its easy-going seaside feel, Bordighera will be yours to explore at your own pace after breakfast. Stroll along the elegant promenade, take it easy on the sandy beaches, or wander through the historic old town with its quaint alleys and impressive coastal views.

Highlights of Bordighera include the beautiful Villa Garnier, the lush Pallanca Exotic Garden, and the Sant’ Ampelio Church, perched dramatically on the rocks overlooking the sea. Alternatively, find a café to indulge in aperitivo hour and soak up the relaxed Italian atmosphere.

Later, return to the hotel to cool off in the swimming pool before dinner.

Day 3: Included morning walking tour of Sanremo

Begin the day with breakfast and then head out on a morning walking tour of nearby Sanremo with your tour manager. Casino di Sanremo, a symbol of Sanremo’s glittering past, will be the first stop. Housed in a Liberty-style building designed by French architect Eugène Ferret, it’s one of only four casinos in Italy.

Next, you’ll view the distinctive Russian Orthodox Church of San Basilio, with its striking onion domes. Built in the early 20th century to serve the growing Russian community, this prominent place of worship features intricate frescoes and traditional Orthodox iconography.

Your guide will then lead you into the La Pigna district, the city’s historic old town, characterised by its warren of snaking streets, archways, and hidden squares. Its name, meaning ‘pinecone’, reflects the way the buildings spiral up the hillside. While you walk around, you can observe the Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa overlooking the city and the various viewpoints of the sea below.

After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps continue exploring or head to Piazza Capitolo for lunch.

Dinner will be served back at the hotel.

Day 4: Included visit to Nice and Cannes

Following breakfast, you’ll travel to Nice, the elegant capital of the French Riviera. The guided tour will start with the impressive Palais de Justice, a grand neoclassical courthouse, and the Opéra de Nice, a striking 19th-century building that has hosted world-renowned performances.

Continue to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the largest of its kind outside Russia and dating back to 1912. Then, take a walk into the old town to see the Baroque-style Cathedral Sainte-Réparate, dedicated to the city’s patron saint.

Afterwards, there will be some time to explore at your leisure. Perhaps visit Musée Matisse, home to one of the world’s largest collections of the artist’s works, or the Musée Chagall, where Marc Chagall’s vibrant biblical paintings are displayed. 

Alternatively, grab a seat at a café in the Cours Saleya, the city’s famous market square.

In the afternoon, board the coach for Cannes, the flashy seaside resort synonymous with the international film festival. Enjoy a tour of this chic city, starting with a walk along the legendary Promenade de la Croisette, lined with palm trees, designer boutiques, and the celebrity-haunt Belle Époque hotels. Learn about the Carlton Hotel, where Hollywood stars have stayed for decades, and see the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the home of the Cannes Film Festival.

Finally, explore the old quarter, Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and beautiful viewpoints. There will then be some time to walk around Vieux Port, ringed by yachts, sit in a waterfront café and sip on a Provençal wine before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5: Full day at leisure or optional visit to Genoa

Once you’ve had breakfast, you can choose to embrace a full day of leisure or join an optional excursion to the port city of Genoa. The capital of northwest Italy's Liguria region, Genoa, will be explored with a local guide. Starting with the medieval centre and Piazza San Matteo, surrounded by black-and-white striped buildings, you’ll then continue to the Palazzo Ducale. A grand structure constructed in the 1590s, the building now houses art galleries and markets.

Next, view the Porta Soprana, an ancient city gate with impressive twin towers, the Bell Tower of San Donato, a Romanesque structure, and the San Lorenzo Cathedral, renowned for its striking Gothic façade.

After the tour, enjoy free time to explore more of the city, such as Via Garibaldi, a street and UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed with Renaissance palaces, or the energetic harbour, Porto Antico, featuring museums, restaurants, and the famous Genoa Aquarium. Make sure to also try some local specialties, like pesto Genovese and focaccia, before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Day 6: Included visit to St-Paul-de-Vence and Antibes

Have breakfast, and then board the coach for a visit to the towns of St-Paul-de-Vence and Antibes. First, experience the highlights of hilltop St-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera. Meander around the cobbled streets, and the assortment of modern and contemporary art galleries. Known for its artistic heritage, St-Paul-de-Vence has attracted painters like Pablo Picasso and Yves Montand. There will also be time to check out some of these galleries and walk along the ramparts.

Later, head to Antibes for a walking tour of this resort town, known for its historic centre surrounded by 16th-century ramparts and the star-shaped Fort Carré. You’ll first walk through the old town (Vieil Antibes), with its pleasant squares and popular Provençal market, pausing to look at the beautiful architecture. You can then pay a visit to the Picasso Museum, located in the Château Grimaldi, which houses one of the largest collections of Picasso’s works in the world. Find a shaded spot in the pretty 19th-century Gardens of Villa Eilenroc or at a restaurant along Port Vauban, featuring to some of the largest yachts in Europe.

Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner.

Day 7: Full day at leisure or optional excursion to Monte Carlo and Monaco

It’s your last day and you can choose to spend it how you like, perhaps joining an optional excursion to Monte Carlo and Monaco. The world-renowned Casino de Monte-Carlo is a highlight, and you’ll get to view its exterior of grand architecture. Opened in 1863, it was designed by the renowned architect Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris Opera House. You may also recognise it from the 2006 James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Below, you can see the harbour area, Port Hercule, packed with gleaming luxury yachts and superyachts. Here, you can also see the Monaco Yacht Club, one of the most exclusive yacht clubs in the world.

Back on the coach, you’ll pass parts of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, including the famous hairpin turn and start/finish line, which are crucial points of the Formula 1 racetrack. The tour also includes the Monaco Formula 1 tunnel, a highlight for motorsport fans. You can walk through the streets of Monaco-Ville, the old town, which is set on a rocky hill and home to the Prince’s Palace and the St. Nicholas Cathedral, where Monaco's royal family is buried.

In the evening, return to the hotel for a final dinner.

Day 8: Fly back to the UK

Check out after breakfast and return to Nice airport for the flight back to the UK.