Day 3
This morning we cross the Italian border to the Ligurian coast, known to locals as the Costa dei Fiori – the Coast of Flowers – for the abundance of flowering plants that grow in the hundreds of greenhouses dotting the steep hillsides.
We call first at Sanremo, where we have a guided tour of its main sights, such as the Ariston Theatre, the majestic casino and the Russian Orthodox church with its striking onion domes reminiscent of St Basil’s Cathedral. Sanremo is a sun-dappled coastal resort that rose to fame during the Belle Époque period, when many grand seafront hotels and gardens were built, and the town became the favoured winter destination for Europe’s royalty, attracting the likes of Empress Sissi of Austria and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Nowadays Sanremo plays host to an annual music festival, said to be the inspiration for the Eurovision song contest, and the Milan-Sanremo Classic, the world’s longest one-day race in modern cycling.
There’s free time to explore the city as you wish, so perhaps wander its beautifully preserved old town that rises in concentric circles up La Pigna hill. Once an important centre during medieval times, it beckons with its warren of atmospheric streets. Or seek out a pavement café and enjoy a cup of coffee as you watch the fashionable locals going about their day.
After a wonderful day discovering the Italian Riviera, we return to our hotel in Menton.
Day 4
Morning
This morning we drive to Antibes, one of the region’s most alluring coastal towns and one Europe’s oldest cities, a perfect setting for our guided walk. Today it’s home to one of Europe’s largest marinas and numerous superyachts are moored on the famous ‘Billionaire’s Quay’. On our guided walk through the old town of Antibes, we follow in the footsteps of artists and writers such as Picasso and Graham Greene, who once walked along these cobbled streets.
There’s free time after for independent exploration. Perhaps visit the medieval Château Grimaldi, which was Picasso’s studio for a brief time and now houses one of the largest collections of his works, including paintings of his beloved Antibes.
For a slice of local life, the town’s renowned Provençal market is a treasure trove of fresh local produce offering delicious cheeses, tapenades, olives, lavender honey and much more. Why not put together your very own picnic and join the locals down by the town’s little beach?
Afternoon
In the afternoon we drive inland to Grasse, a town regarded as the world’s perfume capital and home to one of only three perfumery universities in existence. The heady jasmine grown in the surrounding fields are a main ingredient in Chanel’s iconic No 5 perfume. The fragrance industry in Grasse dates back to the 17th century and we visit Fragonard, one of the oldest perfumeries, to experience first-hand this traditional art and its history, before returning to Menton.
Day 5
Today is free to do as you wish. Thanks to a temperate microclimate, the French Riviera has a legacy of beautiful British gardens from the 19th century and Menton boasts one of the finest. Facing the sea is the glorious Val Rahmeh, an extraordinary botanical garden of subtropical plants surrounding a grand ochre villa, built by British general Sir Percy Radcliffe. You can also catch a local bus to Sainte-Agnes, said to be the highest coastal village in Europe and certainly one of the prettiest, with cobbled streets, vaulted passageways and the ruins of a 12th-century castle.
Alternatively, you may wish to Personalise Your Holiday with a visit to the French Riviera’s artistic hotspots. Saint-Paul de Vence is a charming medieval village that attracted countless artists, from Henri Matisse to Fernand Léger – its cemetery is the final resting place of artist Marc Chagall and influential art dealers Aimé and Marguerite Maeght. You’ll also visit Biot to discover its glassmaking heritage and see skilled blowers in action.
Day 6
Morning
We spend the day exploring the inland gems of the Italian Riviera, first enjoying a guided tour in the picturesque village of Dolceacqua nestled in a green valley and divided by the River Nervia. We learn about its tumultuous past, first as a Roman settlement then as a much fought-over territory between the powerful Dorias and the Grimaldis of Genoa. You may recognise its 15th-century humpback bridge from paintings by Monet, who was so enchanted by the hamlet that he visited several times. Towering over its labyrinth of narrow cobbled alleys is an imposing medieval castle, which you may like to visit during your free time after the tour.
Afternoon
Following lunch at your leisure, we explore the intriguing village of Seborga, which is famous for its claims of independence from the rest of Italy. After it was declared a seignory of the Roman Empire, it was largely overlooked by the succession of rulers who took over and, as a result, was never incorporated into the Duchy of Savoy, which eventually became Italy. Fascinatingly, this self-proclaimed micronation has its own currency, flag and even its own prince. Italy, on the other hand, considers Seborga very much a part of the Province of Imperia.
Day 7
Morning
A tour of the French Riviera wouldn’t be complete without a guided tour of Monaco, so that’s just what we do today. Incomparable Monaco is a playground for the rich and famous, but there’s so much more to it than that. Our tour of the world’s second-smallest country gives you a real insight to its history, the story of its princely family, the Grimaldis, and how they managed to retain their independence despite being sandwiched between two powerful neighbours.
We take in Monte Carlo, famed for its gold-and-marble casino, gleaming superyachts and designer boutiques, then drive along part of the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit. In dramatic contrast is charming Monaco Ville, which crowns a pistol-shaped promontory and is the only part of Monaco to have retained its old town. Highlights include the magnificent Renaissance-style Prince’s Palace, where Napoleon was a frequent guest, and the Romanesque-Byzantine Cathedral, where adoring crowds pay their respects to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace at their flower-adorned graves.
Afternoon
You have free time for lunch before we take a short drive to the French town of La Turbie, perched high in the hills above the Mediterranean. We stop to marvel at the spectacular Trophy of Augustus, built to celebrate the Romans’ decisive victory over the tribes of the Alps. At over 115 feet high, the remains of the monument dominate the coastline and were used for centuries to guide seafarers.
Later we return to Menton, where we have a chance to relax before enjoying a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant, giving you the opportunity to catch up with your newfound friends.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.