Italian Riviera & French Coast Small Group Tour 2025

Departure at 0830HRS from Milan to Genoa (departure is also possible directly from Genoa joining the group at 1045HRS). Visit of this seaport, one of the largest in 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, full of narrow and characteristic streets with medieval origin. Continue to the modern zone of “Ancient Port”, restored in 1992 for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Here we find the Aquarius, the second largest in Europe. Lunch on your own. Check in to the hotel and evening at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be invited to taste focaccia, a typical local type 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. Continue to Santa Margherita, a beautiful seaside city of Riviera di Levante (Eastern Riviera), located in the Tigullio Gulf. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, visit of Portofino. Around a little square, you can have a nice view of the 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 via a panoramic road. Rest of the day at leisure and overnight. (B, T)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Portovenere, a fishing village located at the end of La Spezia Gulf. Visit of the village, followed by a ferry to Cinque Terre (if the weather conditions prevent the boarding, the visit will be with a panoramic itinerary by bus/minivan and train). Heritage of the UNESCO, these 5 fishing villages, symbolise 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 largest of the five villages, characterised by long beaches and narrow streets full of restaurants and handcraft shops. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon return back to Genoa for overnight. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the western coast of Liguria. Arrival to Laigueglia, a picturesque, small fishing village with nice squares and small beaches. Visit the village before continuing to Finalborgo, a typical medieval village at the bottom of the mountains where the Alps meet the Apennines. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon proceed to Monaco. You can see the strong influence of Liguria in this city dominated by the Grimaldi Prince's Palace. Visit through the narrow streets of the centre to take pictures of the Aquarius, and the Cathedral where Princess Grace was buried. Then, short route around the city of Monte Carlo, 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 permitted for this kind of vehicle). Departure to Nice for check in and overnight. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit of Nice, the main town of the French Coast, an ancient city of the Italian region Piedmont that joined France in the second half of the 19th century. Considered a leader in the international tourism, Nice is famous worldwide for its Promenade, the beauty of its elegant district and buildings, and its multicultural food. Later, departure to Saint-Raphaël, famous for its beaches but especially for a great number of celebrities who spend their holidays in the neighbourhood. Lunch on your own. Drive back to Nice through the Estérel Coast, best known as Corniche d’Or, due to its wonderful panorama. Small beaches but also great peaks and rocks surround a clear, shining sea. On the way visit Antibes, a small town extremely loved by artists, especially the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. Upon arrival to Nice, rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Saint Paul de Vence. This is a small medieval village, that still preserves the old wall, built by Frank I in 1537. Chagall and Prévert have spent many years of their artistic career here. Continue to the town of Grasse, famous for perfume production but also for its nice inner town, with Hotel de Ville and Notre-Dame-du-Puy Cathedral. Visit of the perfume factory of Fragonard with a guide. Lunch on your own. Continue to Cannes, probably the most modern town of the district, known as a beach resort, place of many cultural events such as the Cannes Film Festival, held in the middle of May. Drive back to Nice for overnight. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Èze, a beautiful medieval village on the hills between Nice and Italian border. Visit of the old centre. Departure to Liguria with a stop to visit Noli, the old fifth Maritime Republic, characterised by narrow streets and old Genoese walls. Lunch on your own. Continue to Milan and end of services upon arrival. (B)

Note: Tour starts and finishes at Starhotels Anderson (Piazza Luigi di Savoia 20, Milan). Please contact us if you require arrival and/or departure transfers, which are at additional cost.