The first of our included excursions heads to the beautiful Ligurian coast, where some of Italy's most famous resorts are dotted along a shoreline backed by wooded hills. Here, elegant Santa Margherita Ligure, and its gardens and piazzas, overlooks a stunning bay and lies at the northern end of the Portofino headland. Spend some time exploring the resort, then board a boat for a trip along the coast to discover its ultra-chic neighbour, the world-renowned jet-set watering hole of Portofino. Despite the crowds and the glitz and the glamour, Portofino remains one of the Mediterranean's most idyllic settings. Stroll the café-lined harbour front, window-shop in the resort's chic stores, or perhaps people-watch from a seat on the shore, delicious ice-cream in hand. You'll also visit bustling Rapallo, a one-time writers' retreat that boasted D H Lawrence among its more celebrated guests. Return to your hotel for dinner, at the end of a fascinating day.

Today's excursion takes you to the Principality of Monaco - the Monte Carlo of fabulous wealth, the famous Casino and a harbour crammed with improbably expensive yachts - round which the super-charged cars of Formula 1™ hurtle in an annual explosion of colour and noise. Step inside the Casino to try your luck or watch others trying theirs, see the Palais Princier, home to the principality's ruling family - the Royal Grimaldis. The journey to Monaco takes you above the beautiful Riviera dei Fiori - the celebrated Italian Riviera of Flowers - and will offer some sensational views of the blue Mediterranean below as well as a visit to the colourful border town of Ventimiglia.

Enjoy another restful day in the hotel, around the town or on the beach, making the most of your idyllic surroundings.

Our last included excursion takes you back along the Ligurian coast to the stunning stretch, between the resort-town of Levanto and the port-city of La Spezia, known as Cinque Terre (Five Lands) after a quintet of ancient villages that are squeezed into a series of its tiny coves. Breathtaking and charming, the five villages cling to the cliffs, surrounded by vineyards producing some of Liguria's most celebrated wines, and overlook working fishing harbours. The tiny craft make for a colourful sight against the dark blue waters that's best viewed from a shore-side café.

Spend a last day soaking up the atmosphere of your Mediterranean retreat, before enjoying a farewell dinner of typical Ligurian fare.

Bid "Arrivederci" to your hosts, re-board the coach and transfer back to the airport to check in for your flight home to the UK at the end of a holiday in this wonderful corner of Italy.