 | The Italian and French RivierasFeaturing:Portovenere,
Portofino, CinQue Terre, GENOA,NICE, MONACO, AIX en provence, Grasse, &
st. paul de vence 10 Days/8 Nights |
Join Durgan Travel Service on a wonderful 10-day/8-night tour to the beautiful Mediterranean Riviera. Starting in the Province of Liguria, nestled along Italy’s Italian Riviera (north of Florence and south of Milan), you will enjoy a 4-night stay in the first-class Hotel Excelsior (or similar) in Marina Di Massa followed by four nights in Nice at the Best Western (or similar). The trip includes an extensive daily sightseeing program with breakfast and dinner every day (lunch in Provence)!
DAY 1 – Boston-Intermediate City-Genoa/Florence:
Depart Boston’s Logan Airport aboard our transatlantic flight to Genoa/Florence (via an intermediate city) with full meal and beverage service available aloft, as well as stereo headsets for our listening and viewing enjoyment.DAY 2 – Genoa/Florence-Marina di Massa: Upon arrival at the airport, we will board our private motorcoach for transfer to the first-class Hotel Excelsior (or similar). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to freshen-up before our ‘welcome’ cocktail and orientation meeting prior to dinner and overnight at the hotel. (D)
DAY 3 – Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore-Manarola: Following breakfast, we will board the train for a delightful ride to the villages located on the picturesque Cinque Terre. First, we will visit Riomaggiore, whose houses seem to be impossibly wedged into the hillside. Then, we will stroll along the Via dell’Amore until we come to Manarola, where lemon trees flourish in every backyard and the cliffs are covered with wild flowers. We will return by train to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)
DAY 4 – Portovenere-Portofino:
Following breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for a morning guided tour of Portovenere, starting with the medieval Church of San Pietro, which overlooks the harbor and village. We will stop at "Byron’s Grotto" (where the poet Lord Byron is said to have swum across the gulf to Shelley’s house at San Terenzo) and there will be some free time for shopping and browsing. In the afternoon, following lunch (on your own), we will journey to Portofino. Portofino is a seaside resort of international renown, situated on a small gulf of unique beauty. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)DAY 5 – Elba:
After breakfast at the hotel, we are off for a ferry ride to the Island of Elba, where we will have a full day tour. Elba, most famous for being the site of Napoleon’s exile, is mountainous, with clear water and fine, white sand beaches. Included will be an inside visit to Napoleon’s villa. We will return by ferry via to the mainland and return to our hotel by motorcoach. Dinner and overnight. (BB,D)DAY 6 – Marina di Massa-Genoa-Nice:
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head for France. En route, we’ll have a visit to Columbus’ birthplace, Genoa. Enjoy a half-day tour of this eclectic, buzzing city, before we continue on to the glamorous city of Nice, our home for the next four nights. Check in at the Best Western Nautica (or similar) for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)DAY 7 - Nice-Monaco:
We will enjoy a full day visit to one of the French Riviera's most famous spots, Nice! We will go on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and take a leisurely drive along the famous Baie des Anglais, followed by a stroll along the promenade to take in some of the historic sites, such as the Hotel Negresco. Then we will head off for a half-day excursion to Monte Carlo, including a panoramic tour of the city and a visit to the Exotic Gardens. We hope to have time to explore the city, stroll the waterfront, or, perhaps, visit the Royal Palace or the Monte Carlo Casino. We will return to the hotel to freshen up and have dinner. (BB, D)DAY 8 - Aix-en-Provence:
Another wonderful full-day excursion has been planned for us this day when we visit the capital of the Provence region, which is also the home of the famous French impressionist painter, Paul Cezanne. Our morning will be occupied with a walking tour of the Old Town section of the city, led by a local guide. After free time for lunch in Aix-en-Provence, we will have an opportunity to visit Cezanne's workshop. Return to the hotel for dinner at the hotel. (BB, D)DAY 9 – Grasse-St. Paul de Vence:
We will have another full-day excursion today, but our destination will be Grasse, "the capital of perfume". Firstly, we will take a guided walking tour of the town, followed by an exciting visit to one of the local perfume laboratories. We will have time for lunch in Grasse followed by a visit to the medieval town of St. Paul de Vence for browsing and shopping. We will return to the hotel late that afternoon. (BB, D)DAY 10 – Nice-Intermediate City-Boston:
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will be transferred to the Nice Airport where we will board our return flight to Boston (via an intermediate city). (BB)