Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for the South of France and Italy

Travel to Diano Marina

Depart from your local area and travel to Dover for a ferry crossing to Calais. Continue through France making an overnight stop before proceeding to Italy the following day. Check into your hotel in the beautiful Diano Marina on the famous Italian ‘Riviera of Flowers’. If time allows, begin exploring the area before enjoying dinner in your hotel.

At leisure in Diano Marina

Relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel and resort.  Perhaps explore the town of Diano Marina. Take a stroll among the characterful streets and along the sandy beachfront and palm-lined promenade. Alternatively, visit the nearby ancient hill top village of Cervo. Cervo’s roots date back the Roman times and its 16^th century walls, which overlook the sea, protect its medieval streets, churches and houses.

Perhaps visit Ventimiglia for their famous markets which run the length of the town and seafront (Fridays).

Enjoy dinner together in the hotel this evening.

Note:  Coach will be required for Cervo and Ventimiglia

Nice Carnival (Saturday)

This morning, travel to Nice where there’s time to explore the Old Town, and take a stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais. Nice itself is a great place to shop, dine and watch the world go by from a picturesque café.

In the afternoon, it’s time to take your seats for the Corso Carnavalesque, the carnival parade. Dozens of brightly coloured and decorated floats, all created by local people, follow a circular route around the city centre accompanied by musicians and dancers. On each float, costumed models throw flowers to an enthusiastic crowd. This ‘Battle of the Flowers’ is an elegant show with around 3000 stems per float ranging from roses to carnations to gerberas. This is a truly unique and memorable spectacle.

Head back to the hotel in time for dinner.

Menton Lemon Festival (Sunday)

Join in all the fun of the ‘La Fête du Citron’ with a visit to Menton for the 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.

Monaco and Monte Carlo

Visit the glamorous Monaco today, playground of the rich and famous. Explore Monaco’s Old Town, filled with stunning gardens, a remarkable cathedral and a palace where you may witness the changing of the palace guards.  If you’re interested in car racing, why not visit the amazing Grand Prix Circuit? Enjoy some free time at the Casino Square or ‘Golden Square’ with prestigious shops, amazing restaurants and luxury cars.  (Guided tours can be arranged)

Return to the UK

The time has come to depart from this sun-soaked coast and begin the journey back to the UK.  Stop overnight in France, before continuing to Calais for your return ferry crossing to the UK on day 8.