| Day 1 | Nice | It's time to live the good life and embark on a getaway to the fabulous French Riviera, or COte d'Azur. With its elegant coastal resorts, superb eateries, chic boutiques, and captivating museums, it's the ultimate sunny retreat for the elite. Unpack your bags just once and stay at a single hotel for your entire adventure, which begins with an overnight flight to France. |
| Day 2 | Nice | Your tour commences in the stunning city of Nice, a coastal pearl of the Mediterranean known for its legendary opulence and balmy beaches. With an average of 300 sunny days per year, Nice is a seaside paradise. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring Mediterranean-inspired French cuisine. |
| Day 3 | Nice | Get acquainted with Nice on a panoramic drive en route to historic St. Paul de Vence. Explore this walled medieval village, remarkably situated atop a hill overlooking the beautiful countryside. Soak in its distinctive light, said to have inspired Matisse, Braque, Chagall, and other artists. End your day back in Nice for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you'll visit Place Massena, the town's center of activity, or find your favorite cafE for the week and soak in the local life. |
| Day 4 | Nice | Step into the shoes of a local and navigate the tram this morning. Get familiar with the routes and use it to your advantage during some free time. With a local expert, discover Nice by meandering through the city's famed and colorful flower market. Then, delve into the Old Town, sampling local delicacies on a tasting tour. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you'll return to your hotel and stroll along the lively seafront Promenade des Anglais. You may even stay downtown and visit one of Nice's world-class art galleries, such as the Chagall or the Matisse museums. |
| Day 5 | Nice | Travel along the spectacular Corniche coastal road to the principality of Monaco. On a walking tour, view the changing of the guards and visit the Cathedral of Monaco - the permanent resting place of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. Then it's your choice! Explore the tiny principality on a panoramic Little Train tour* taking you across to Monte Carlo for views of its famous casino -OR- visit the Oceanographic Museum, perusing its aquarium and the collection of fossils and skeletons amassed by the great researcher Jacques Cousteau. This evening, savor a wine-paired tasting menu highlighting the delights of the south of France. |
| Day 6 | Nice | Head to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, referred to as the crown jewel of the French Riviera, where you'll visit the impressive Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Uncover the lush gardens replete with jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Your visit to the villa is complete with lunch served in the charming tearoom overlooking the Bay of Villefranche. Back in Nice, enjoy free time to relax and take in the laid-back atmosphere along the Riviera. Perhaps you'll join an optional excursion that takes you to the very Italian French village of Menton. After working up an appetite, savor a peaceful dinner in the medieval village of Eze. |
| Day 7 | Nice | Journey to Cannes and sail** across the Bay of Cannes to the tiny island of Saint-Honorat, belonging to the monks of LErins Abbey. Pause to taste the locally produced wine before returning to Cannes and rub elbows with Europe's elite. Walk in the footsteps of celebrities when you see the Film Festival Palace and the iconic red carpet featured during the Cannes Film Festival. During your free time, explore the cobbled lanes of the Le Suquet neighborhood or the lively Forville farmers' market. Then return to Nice in the late afternoon. Back in Nice, enjoy an evening at leisure. |
| Day 8 | Nice | Today, learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop and tour of the Fragonard perfumery, where fragrant formulations have been prepared since 1782. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere of this charming ProvenCal hill town before returning to Nice for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you'll set off in search of the whimsical architecture of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in Vieux Nice celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip. |
| Day 9 | Nice | Depart for home with many wonderful memories of your journey through the Cote d'Azur. |
