Group tour operator for the Italian Riviera
Italian Riviera, Monaco and Portofino
-
Aerial view of Portofino harbour ©Photos Archive Agenzia In Liguria
-
Portofino harbour ©Photos Archive Agenzia In Liguria
-
Monte Carlo, Monaco © Monaco Press Centre Photos
-
Monaco Palace, Old Town © Monaco Press Centre Photos
-
Considered to have the most beautiful coastline in Europe, the Italian Riviera curves around the Mediterranean from Tuscany in the east to the French border in the west. This beautiful area is also known as the ‘Riviera of Flowers’ because of the many beautiful hilltop gardens scattered along the coast that were created by English gentry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Beautiful displays of flora and fauna nestle between quaint and historic towns.
While exploring this beautiful coast, visit San Remo. Exploring the Old Town, be sure to make a stop at the Russian Orthodox Church which boasts a truly spectacular dome. A true highlight of this tour is the pretty little town of Portofino. Take a boat and catch your first glimpse of this jewel from the water. The pastel shades of the buildings complement the striking blue of the skies and Mediterranean. Furthermore, head to the tiny country of Monaco! The Old Town features a palace and beautiful gardens and is an urban playground for the rich and famous.
Dates
2025 and 2026 on request
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Drive to Dover and take the ferry across to Calais. Continue south, through France and make an overnight stop. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to the Italian Riviera
Depart after breakfast for the onward journey, travelling further south via Lyon and towards the Italian border. Continue past Turin and to the Riviera and our resort of Diano Marina for the next 6 nights. After check-in, relax before having dinner together in the hotel.
Day 3
Diano Marina at leisure (Driver’s rest day)
Spend this morning at leisure to relax and unwind after the long journey. Explore the surroundings of this delightful seaside town. See historical villas and gardens, stroll along the beach or browse around the local shops. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Day 4
Santa Margherita, Boat Trip and Portofino
Depart after breakfast and drive around the coast, past Genoa, to Santa Margherita Ligure – one the coast’s prettiest towns with Belle Époque buildings and a handsome town hall. Stroll along the promenade, pausing for a morning coffee or a delicious gelato along the way. The seafront is the main attraction, with its beach, lively harbour and promenade, and is very picturesque with palm trees, grand buildings and brightly coloured houses immediately behind the seafront.
From here embark on a short boat trip to Portofino. This world-famous fishing village of pastel hued houses is so pretty it looks like it belongs in a watercolour painting. This is the perfect place to soak up some sunshine and glorious views whilst sipping a glass of Italian wine before heading back to Diano Marina by coach. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 5
San Remo, Alassio and cruise
San Remo is the capital of the ‘Riviera of Flowers’ which boasts a promenade, a grand casino, a pretty domed Russian Orthodox Church and romantic old town with narrow streets, plenty of shops, bars and cafes. The town is abundant with impressive villas, gardens and ornate churches, After some free time depart for a drive along the coast to the picturesque coastal town of Alassio with an elegant promenade and quality shops. Perhaps visit the Villa della Pergola, where the gardens are built onto verdant terraces. There will be time to explore or get some lunch before embarking on a 1.5 hour cruise around the privately owned island and wildlife sanctuary of Gallinara, Liguria’s one and only island.
Return to the hotel for dinner
Day 6
Monaco and Monte Carlo
Accompanied by an experienced guide, discover one of Europe’s smallest countries: Monaco. Nestled in a cove along the coast close to the French/Italian border, it is the home of the rich and famous. Explore the historic cliff-top Old Town which is dominated by a fortress which is known as ‘The Rock’. The Old Town is where the Grimaldi family’s palace stands overlooking the port and famous Casino and close to St. Nicholas Cathedral and where the Changing of the Palace Guard takes place every day at 11.55 am. During some free time why not hop on a tourist train for a 30 minute ride and see more sites such as Port Hercule, Monte-Carlo and its luxury hotels, the famous Casino and its gardens or the famous Grand Prix Circuit.
Return to the hotel for dinner
Day 7
Ventimiglia Market, Wine Tasting and Ancient Villages
Ventimiglia is located on the border with France and it became famous for its lively markets popular with locals and tourists alike. Friday is Ventimiglia’s open-air market day and you can find many bargains at the stalls which run the length of the town and sea front. (There is a covered market which is open daily). Afterwards, continue a short way to visit Antico Frantoio, a local winery and olive oil producer, for tastings of local produce and wine. On the return to the hotel, a stop will be made at the ancient hillside village of Dolceacqua which is overlooked by a castle and with a humpback bridge arching attractively over a scenic river. It’s so beautiful that Monet even visited here to paint.
Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 8
Depart Diano Marina
Depart after breakfast, retracing the journey north back into France and an overnight stop. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Day 9
Return to the UK
Continue the homeward journey through France and to Calais and take the ferry across to the UK, and home.
Greatdays offer a selection of good 3* and 4* hotels throughout
| Departure date | 9 days/8 nights | Single Supplement |
| 2025 and 2026 | Price on request | Price on Request |
