Spotlight on the French Riviera

It’s time to live the good life and embark on a getaway to the fabulous French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur. With its elegant coastal resorts, superb eateries, chic boutiques, and captivating museums, it’s the ultimate sunny retreat for the elite. Unpack your bags just once and stay at a single hotel for your entire adventure, which begins with an overnight flight to France.

Your tour commences in the stunning city of Nice, a coastal pearl of the Mediterranean known for its legendary opulence and balmy beaches. With an average of 300 sunny days per year, Nice is a seaside paradise. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Vieux Nice featuring Mediterranean-inspired French cuisine.

Step into the shoes of a local and navigate the tram this morning. Get familiar with the routes and use it to your advantage during some free time. With a local expert, discover Nice by meandering through the city’s famed and colorful flower market. Then, delve into the Old Town, sampling local delicacies while on a tasting tour. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll return to your hotel and stroll along the lively seafront Promenade des Anglais. You may even stay downtown and visit one of Nice’s world-class art galleries, such as the Chagall or the Matisse museums. Maybe you’ll find your favorite café for the week and soak in the local life.

Travel along the spectacular Corniche coastal road to the Principality of Monaco. On a walking tour, view the changing of the guards and visit the Cathedral of Monaco – the permanent resting place of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. Then it’s your choice! Explore the tiny country on a panoramic Little Train tour* taking you across to Monte Carlo for views of its famous casino -OR- visit the Oceanographic Museum, perusing its aquarium and the collection of fossils and skeletons amassed by the great researcher Jacques Cousteau.

*The Little Train tour operates from February to mid-November. In the other months, travelers selecting this choice will transfer to the Monte Carlo district by public bus.

Today, learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop and tour of the Fragonard perfumery, where fragrant formulations have been prepared since 1782. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere of this charming Provençal hill town before returning to Nice for an evening at leisure.

Journey to Cannes and sail** across the Bay of Cannes to the tiny island of Saint-Honorat, belonging to the monks of Lérins Abbey. Pause to taste the locally produced wine before returning to Cannes to perhaps rub elbows with Europe’s elite. Walk in the footsteps of celebrities when you see the Film Festival Palace and the iconic red carpet featured during the Cannes Film Festival. During free time, explore the cobbled lanes of the Le Suquet neighborhood or the lively Forville farmers’ market. Back in Nice this evening, savor a tasting menu highlighting the delights of the South of France.

**The Saint-Honorat Island cruise operates weather permitting, is dependent on sea conditions, and is only available from April to October. Tours from November through the end of March will visit an alternate winery.

Head to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, referred to as the crown jewel of the French Riviera, where you’ll visit the impressive Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Uncover the lush gardens replete with jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Your visit to the villa is complete with lunch served in the charming tearoom overlooking the Bay of Villefranche. Back in Nice, enjoy free time to relax and take in the laid-back atmosphere along the Riviera. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion that takes you to the Italian French village of Menton, and after working up an appetite, to savor a peaceful dinner in the medieval village of Èze.

This morning, venture to historic St. Paul de Vence, situated atop a hill overlooking the beautiful countryside of Provence. Explore this walled medieval village, soaking in its distinctive light, said to have inspired Matisse, Braque, Chagall, and other artists. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip.

Depart for home with many wonderful memories of your journey through the Cote d'Azur.