Day 1: Following your home taxi collection you will join our platinum tour coach as we head to Kent for our short sea crossing to France. Upon our arrival, we continue our journey through the French countryside to our overnight hotel, the Mercure Dijon Centre on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: After breakfast we continue our journey through France, travelling through Lyon, and passing the confluence where the rivers Rhone & the Saone meet, before crossing the border into Italy. Our destination is Alassio, staying at the four star Hotel Toscana for the next 5 nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 3: Today is a day of leisure to explore Alassio at your own pace. This beautiful sweeping stretch of coastline is sheltered by the Maritime Alps, which curve between Tuscany and France’s Côte d’Azur. With its crystal blue sea and golden sandy beaches, is truly a paradise for lovers of sun and relaxation. But it is not only the natural beauty that makes this location a must-see destination in Italy. Historic atractions such as the famous ‘Muretto of Alassio’ and the charming streets of the old town make it a city full of charm and history.
Day 4: This morning we travel to Nice where there’s time to explore the Old Town and take a stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais.
This afternoon, it’s time to take your seats for the Corso Carnavalesque flower parade. This fabulous event is made up of flower-covered floats, with costumed characters who throw thousands of flowers into the enthusiastic crowd. This art promotes the breathtaking quality and variety of Riviera flowers – a staggering 90% of the flowers used are produced locally. The parade route follows the seafront along the Promenade des Anglais, between the Théâtre de Verdure and the Hotel Negresco, and takes around 90 minutes! Be sure to stay until the end when the floats are plucked of their floral decorations. The event is a truly unique and memorable spectacle.
We return by coach to the hotel where dinner is served this evening.
Day 5: Today we head to Menton where we join in all the fun of the ‘La Fête du Citron’ Lemon Festival. Each year, the people of Mention try very hard to outdo each other with their lemon-inspired creations that require more than 145 tonnes of citrus fruit. The festival has a different theme each year, so the designs are always new and innovative. Visit these giant sculptures in the Biovès Gardens, which becomes a sea of orange and yellow, with some creations exceeding heights of 10 metres! Then take your seat and enjoy the procession of citrus fruit-decorated floats, marching bands and drum majorettes before returning to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 6: Today we are joined by a local guide as we head to the Principality of Monaco and Monte Carlo. Driving along the scenic Grand Corniche, the high mountain road, you will have stunning views over the principality and Riviera. Nicknamed 'The Rock', this tiny capital is built against the mountains, and sprawls down to the glittering shores of the Riviera. There is a fascination with Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family, especially since Prince Rainier III’s marriage to the former film star Grace Kelly. Take a stroll around the famous Formula 1 circuit; visit the Cathedral, browse the sumptuous boutiques and marvel at the fabulous parks and gardens of this tiny paradise. We later spend time in probably the most famous region of Monaco: Monte Carlo. Here you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous, or if you feel lucky take your chances in the famous Grand Casino where the lavish interiors are still decorated in the Belle Époque style. (any attraction fees today are subject to individual choice and payment).
Day 7: Sadly, we bid farewell to our hosts and make our way to our overnight hotel in the Dijon area.
Day 8: After breakfast, we make the journey to Calais to board the mid-afternoon ferry back to Kent. Upon our arrival we continue homewards to Norfolk, where our door-to-door service awaits to return you home.
Holiday Highlights:
7 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Price: £1534pp
Single Supplement: £287 (Will be allocated a double room for sole occupancy)
Tour Reference: EUR1895
Deposit Required: £100pp (Non refundable/transferable unless cancelled by Eastons)
Balance Due: 13 weeks prior to departure