Tour Highlights

• The quaint fishing village of St. Margherita
• The Magical village of Portofino
• The Ancient Villages of the Cinque Terra
• Magnificent Monte Carlo
• The beautiful seaside city of Nice
• The Fashionable city of Cannes, Plus Much More

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1- UNITED STATES/EN ROUTE
Depart today on the scheduled flight traveling en route to Milan, Italy. Dinner and breakfast will be served during our flight according to airline schedules. (I)

Day 2 – ST. MARGHERITA
We arrive in Milan today where we’ll be met by our European Tour Escort and continue by motor coach south through the coastal mountains to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We will continue along the crystal waters of the Mediterranean to arrive in the beautiful fishing village of Santa Margherita, set on the beautiful Portofino Pennisula where the pastel-colored buildings bask in the Mediterranean sun, while their gardens benefit from the mild climate and are ablaze in magnificent color. (I, D)

Day 3 – ST. MARGHERITA (Portofino)
This morning we begin with a leisurely walk around St. Margherita to enjoy the pastel color buildings and wonderful scenery. Next we embark on a mini-cruise taking us along the Portofino Peninsula, the most beautiful coastline along the Italian Riviera. We will stop in the most exclusive resort and fishing village in all of Italy, Portofino. Situated in a narrow cove it owes it popularity to its beautiful location and gaily colored houses lining the harbor, with pine and olive trees covering the hills above the village. After time in Portofino continue to Santa Margherita. (B)

Day 4 – ST. MARGHERITA (Cinque Terra)
Today we visit the area known as the Cinque Terre, a protected stretch of rocky coastline only assessable by train or sea. The name refers to the five dramatically situated villages that apparently cling to the very edge of cliffs: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Time has stood still in these ancient villages where people remain strongly attached to their old customs and traditions. We depart the village of Monterosso by ferry to view the rugged coast from the Gulf of Spezia. Upon arrival in the attractive village of Vernazza, we’ll the travel by train to the fishing village of Manarola for a relaxing walk that will take us along the Via dell’Amore. The old houses of medieval Riomaggiore will greet us as we prepare for yet another rail journey to La Spezia where we’ll rejoin our motor coach for the return to Santa Margherita. (B, D)

Day 5 – ST. MARGHERITA/NICE
We bid farewell to St. Margherita this morning and travel along the coast to the city of Genoa where we see the home of Christopher Columbus. We will continue all the Italian Riviera Ponente, where houses of faded elegance lie all along the coast particularly in San Remo, where aristocrats came to spend the winter in the end of the 19th century. We cross into France driving through the spectacular scenery with sweeping views of the Mediterranean before arriving in fascinating city of Nice and the famous Cote D’Azur. (B, D)

Day 6 – NICE
This morning our sightseeing of Nice begins along the Promenade des Anglais and the Quai des Etats Unis to the World War One Monument. Enjoy the delightful old town with its famous flower and vegetable market in the Cours Saleya, and a visit to Cimiez Hill, home to the ancient Greco/Roman City of Cemenelum. A beautiful view of Nice and Angel Bay awaits us from Mont Boron Hill. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Nice on our own, perhaps for a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and the beautiful beach. (B)

Day 7 – NICE (Monte Carlo & Eze)
Today our motor coach will take us along the Grande Corniche, built by Napoleon, along the ancient Roman route of Via Julia Augusta. We’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Mediterranean countryside and sea before arriving in the Principality of Monaco. We drive along the route of the Monaco Grand Prix before enjoying a walking tour of the rock of Monaco showing us Prince’s Palace with the Changing of the Guards daily at 11:55 a.m., the Princess Grace Memorial inside the Cathedral, Oceanographic Museum and the Old Town with its narrow picturesque streets. Also see the famous Grand Casino of Monte Carlo and drive along the rugged coastline on the panoramic middle cornice road and stop to visit the medieval village of Eze, perched like an eagle’s nest upon the mountain, with its artist colony and handicraft shops and panoramic vistas of the Cote d’Azur. (B)

Day 8 – NICE (Highlights of the Riviera)
Today we see more of the French Riviera as we drive to Antibes, a village protected from the sea by ramparts built in 1550. We see the fascinating old town and the open-air market. We continue around the Cap d’Antibes and arrive in Cannes with its magnificent anchorage and Esterel Heights, the dramatically elevated old town with its 10th century watchtower, is also considered an international playground for the rich and famous. The resort owes its popularity to the beauty of its location, the mild climate and the splendor of its festivals. It is a town of elegant recreation and leisure and la Croisette, the seafront, named for its people-watching promenade, is a must. We then leave Cannes and drive to Vallauris, this small town was put on the map by Picasso, before arriving in the town of Grasse, the fragrant perfume capital of France with its jasmine, and orange blossoms. We’ll tour one of the historic perfume factories before returning to Nice. This evening we enjoy a Farewell dinner in Nice. (B, D)

Day 9 – NICE/UNITED STATES
This morning we drive to Nice’s International Airport where we will bid “farewell” to our Tour Escort at the beginning of our return journey home. Meals and beverages will be served during our flights according to airline schedules. (B, I)

* * * Welcome Home * * *
I = In-flight Meal B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner