Day 1 to day 7

Day 1 We fly to Nice and transfer to our hotel in the heart of the city.

Day 2 – Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a chic early 20th-century villa built by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild on the St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the villa, evocative of an Italian palazzo and home to nine separately themed gardens overlooking the Mediterranean. The rest of the day is left free to explore Nice, an opportunity perhaps to wander along the Promenade des Anglais or visit Castle Hill, where the ruins of the former Château de Nice and other landmarks of historical importance can be found. The hill is also a beautiful park which offers magnificent views over the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the port. This evening we enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant.

Day 3 – Prince’s Palace of Monaco & Exotic Garden of Monaco We make our way to the tiny principality of Monaco, ruled by the Grimaldis since 1346. Its wealth came from the famous Casino, founded by Charles III in 1848. We visit the State Apartments of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Built at the end of the 12th century as a Genoese fortress, the palace was captured by the Grimaldi dynasty in 1297 and has remained in the family ever since. Afterwards we head to the Exotic Garden of Monaco, an outstanding open-air botanical garden that opened to the public in 1933. With its stunning location along the edge of a cliff overlooking the bay of Monaco, it contains more than 1,000 species of cacti and succulents that have adapted to dry climates in various ways.

Day 4 – Day at leisure in Nice

Day 5 – Cagnes-sur-Mer, Grimaldi Castle Museum & Renoir Museum We spend the day in the picturesque seaside resort of Cagnes-sur-Mer, perfectly nestled between Nice and Cannes. The resort offers a long pebble beach and a charming fishing port, all overlooked by the medieval quarter of Haut-de-Cagnes with its narrow lanes full of artists’ studios and galleries and stunning views of the Mediterranean. Perched on a hilltop in the heart of Haut-de-Cagnes is the Grimaldi Castle Museum, a 14th-century stronghold that was subsequently transformed into a palatial home. One of its most striking features is the painted ceiling in the great hall which depicts the Fall of Phaëton. Today, it features several collections of contemporary and modern art. Over the years, many famous artists have made Cagnes-sur-Mer their home and our last visit of the day is to the exquisite Renoir Museum, the family home and studio of Impressionist painter Auguste Renoir. It is a wonderfully evocative museum with many personal photographs and paintings, with the beautiful olive and citrus groves in the garden as much an attraction as the museum itself.

Day 6 – Cannes & Antibes We head first to Cannes, where we spend a few hours at leisure. Enjoy the waterfront avenue, Promenade de la Croisette, lined with palm trees, picturesque beaches, restaurants, cafés and upmarket boutiques and visit Le Suquet, Cannes’ old quarter, with its medieval buildings, winding, cobbled streets and panoramic views of Cannes. From here we continue to the picturesque resort of Antibes where we have free time to explore. The historic old town within the ancient ramparts has retained much of its original character with quaint cobbled streets lined with pretty houses, boutiques and cafés. Port Vauban, the largest marina in Europe, is home to huge superyachts while the magnificent Fort Carré stands watch on the far side. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant.

Day 7 We check out of our hotel and transfer to Nice airport for our flight home.