7 Days Italian Riviera and French Coast Tour - from Milan

Departure at 08.30 am from Milan to Genoa (departure is also possible directly from Genoa joining the group at 10.45). Visit of this seaport, one of the largest of the Southern Europe, the first in Italy; 6th city of the country, this town has an important history, as a Maritime Republic. Its historical centre has grown around the dock, is full of narrow and characteristic streets and has a medieval origin. Continue to the modern zone of “Ancient Port”, restored for the 500 years of America discovery by Christopher Columbus. Here we find the Aquarius, the second biggest in Europe. Lunch at your own. Accommodation in hotel and evening for personal interests. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be invited to taste focaccia, a typical local kind of bread in both versions, regular and with cheese. Departure to Rapallo, famous tourist centre. Visit of the old town where a long promenade ends with the beautiful castle of Dragut. Then, road to Santa Margherita, beautiful seaside city of Riviera di Levante (Eastern Riviera), located in the Tigullio Gulf. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon, visit of Portofino. Around a little square, you can have a nice view of a group of high, coloured and picturesque houses. In the small port, during the high season, you can see expensive yachts from every part of the world. Finally, return to Genoa with a panoramic road. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Portovenere, a fishermen village located at the end of La Spezia Gulf. Visit. Ferry to Cinque Terre (if the atmospheric conditions doesn’t permit the boarding, the visit will be with a panoramic itinerary by bus/minivan and train.) Heritage of the Unesco, these 5 fishermen villages, symbolize a group unique in the world for its beautiful landscape and the medieval style of their buildings. Visit of the little village of Vernazza and Monterosso, the biggest of the five villages, characterised by long beaches and narrow streets full of restaurants and handcraft shops. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon coming back to Genoa. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and outgoing to the western coast of Liguria. Arrival to Varazze, a picturesque and little village of fishermen with its nice corners and small beaches. Visit. Later, departure to Finalborgo, a typical medieval village at the bottom of the mountains where the Alps meets the Apennines. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon, outgoing to Monaco. You can see the strong influence of Liguria in this city dominated by Grimaldi prince palace. Visit through the narrow streets of the centre to take picture of the Aquarius, and the Cathedral in which princess Grace was buried. Then, short route around the city of Montecarlo, famous everywhere for its characteristic Grand Prix. You can observe the futuristic palace Grimaldi Forum and probably the most important European casino (if the tour will be by coach, the area around the casino is not allowed to this kind of vehicle). Departure to Nice. Overnight at the hotel. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day of excursion around the French Riviera. First, guided tour of the wonderful city of Nice, capital of the French coast, second most visited town in France after Paris and centre of culture, architecture and tourism famous worldwide.

Later on, departure to St. Raphael, famous for their beaches but especially for a great number of stars who spend their holidays in the neighbourhood. Lunch at your own. Back to Nice, through the Esterel Coast, best known as Corniche d’or, due to its wonderful panorama. Small beaches but also great peaks and rocks surround a clear and shining sea. Last stop in Antibes, a lovely little town sorrounded by an old wall few steps away from the sea. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to St. Paul de Vence. This is a small medieval village, that still presents the old wall, built by Frank I in 1537; Chagall and Prévert have spent many years of their artistic career here. Grasse is famous for the production of parfumes but also presents a nice inner city, with Hotel de Ville and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Visit of the perfume factory of Fragonard with guide. Lunch at your own. Outgoing to Cannes, probably the most modern town of the district: beach resort, place of many cultural events, as the Film festival, celebrated in the middle of May. Back to Nice. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Mentone, a beautiful medieval village on the coast between Nice and Italian border. Visit of the old town. Then, departure to Liguria with a stop for visiting Noli, the old fifth Maritime Republic, characterized by narrow streets and old Genoese walls. Lunch at your own. Continuation to Milan. End of services.