Day 1 to day 8

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Nice.

On arrival, transfer by coach to the hotel for check-in. Evening welcome drink at the hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant in Nice.

Day 2: Morning tour of Nice with the afternoon free.

The capital of the Riviera, Nice is a buzzing city full of culture, excellent restaurants and good shopping. There are distinct districts - the medieval quarter, the Italianate quarter that belies Nice’s past as part of Italy and plenty of rich mansions that shows past pedigree as one of the most fashionable resorts in Europe. There are plenty of excellent museums to explore, and the vibrant Promenade des Anglais to stroll along.

Day 3: Full day in Nice with the chance to view the Flower Parade (ticket not included - please visit the Nice Carnival Website for more information).

Evening seated ticket (included) for the Carnival Parade of Lights. For two weeks every February and March, Nice is full of open air music performances, parades, processions and carnival cheer. There are parades daily with numerous floats and over 1000 musicians and dancers taking part. You have a seated ticket to enjoy the evening parade included but you will be able to purchase extra tickets for other parades whilst in Nice if you wish. The 2026 theme will be "Vive la Reine".

Day 4: Full day tour to Menton with seated tickets to the Lemon Festival Parade.

Right on the border, Menton exudes Italianate charm from its picturesque position ringed by mountains. The Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) is the resort’s biggest annual event. You’ll find 10 metre tall citrus-covered installations in the Biovès Gardens and a colourful parade with each float bearing over 140 tonnes of fruit! We have also included the ‘Exhibition of Citrus Patterns in the Jardins Bioves’ to view the sculptures up close.

Day 5: Full day tour to Grasse and the Gorges du Loup.

The medieval hill town of Grasse has been the capital of perfume concoction for nearly 300 years. In the midst of fields planted with an array of fragrant blooms, the town has a museum dedicated to the art of parfumiers as well as lovely old streets to wander. Famous for the fortified villages that perch along the steep sides formed by the River Loup, the Gorges du Loup offer wonderful views and dramatic cascades.

Day 6: Full day tour to Vence and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

A hilltop town full of charm, Vence is interlaced by narrow streets and dotted with lovely squares. It was popular with painters, including Picasso, thanks to its excellent light and it was here that Matisse was involved in the architectural design and decoration of the Chapelle du Rosaire (entrance included). Saint-Paul-de-Vence was a magnet for artists throughout the 20th century, and the village is dominated by studios and galleries. You can visit the Colombe d’Or restaurant where painters, including Picasso, traded paintings for meals and accommodation. You’ll also find the Fondation Maeght Museum of Modern Art here.

Day 7: Full day tour to Biot, Antibes and Cap d’Antibes.

The hill town of Biot was a centre for pottery between the 16th and 18th century, a tradition reborn in the mid-20th century when the town once again became famous for its decorative pottery and glasswork. The lively resort of Antibes has a lovely old town and one of the world’s best Picasso collections in the old seafront, Chateau Grimaldi – entrance to the collection is included. Author Graham Greene was a resident here for 20 years. The Cap d’Antibes hides many a sumptuous villa in its pine woods, an area frequented by the likes of F Scott Fitzgerald in its 1920s heyday.

Day 8: Transfer to Nice Airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.