Day 1 Early morning departure for Dover and the ferry crossing to Calais and on to the overnight stop (bed & breakfast only).
Day 2 Continuing south, you will cross the border into Italy and to Hotel Villa Igea for a 4 night stay.
Days 3 to 5 A short day to Alassio, now one of the most elegant resorts on the Riviera, surrounded by trees and plants, splendid villas on the lower hillside and four kilometres of the finest sandy beach.
• A free morning to wander around the harbour area and explore the town before enjoying lunch at the hotel. Depart after lunch to the Menton Lemon Festival and the night parade. Under the glow of the spotlights, the floats adorned with lemons and oranges, parade in a symphony of light and color. To the sound of fanfares and lively music, dancers and performers bring joyful energy to this nighttime procession. The parade begins at 9.00 pm and ends in grandeur with a fireworks display at approximately 10:30 pm. NB: Dinner is not included this evening.
• Day tour to Nice for the carnival parade. Each year there is a different theme (not known at the time of print), with spectacular and creative parades, comprising of themed floats along with traditional papier- mâché figurines, decked in dazzling colours with plenty of street theatre and over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the globe to keep you entertained.
Day 6 Depart after breakfast and journey to Versilia, located in the north western province of Lucca for a four night stay at Hotel Nuova Sabrina. A stop in beautiful Genoa, squeezed between the mountains of the Ligurian-Genoese Apennines and the blue of the sea will be made en-route. Genoa is a city of a thousand faces and a thousand colors and is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Along the typical “carrugi” (narrow streets of the historic centre) and the lively Old Port, its arcades, ancient palaces, and fortifications tell the story of the charm of the ancient powerful and wealthy Maritime Republic of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Days 7 – 9 During your stay in Marina di Pietrasanta you will have a free day to wander around the town or along the beach, with its wealth of shops, restaurants, pizzerias, cafes and gelaterias.
Viareggio Carnival Parade (starts approx h17.00) and Fireworks. In the event of bad weather the parade might be postponed to Sunday afternoon(21/02/2027)
• Visit to Pisa, famous worldwide for its instantly recognizable symbol, the Leaning Tower, which stands at a seemingly impossible angle in Piazza dei Miracoli. Close to the Duomo and the Baptistery, built in white Carrara marble. Return to the hotel via Lucca, a perfectly preserved medieval town and the birthplace of Puccini. Hidden behind its beautiful Renaissance walls, this charming town has narrow streets, elegant palaces, and Romanesque churches. It is also known for its medieval squares, particularly the unusual oval-shaped main square, which was originally a Roman amphitheatre.
Day 10 Time to depart Diano Marina for your journey back into France and an overnight stop. (bed & breakfast only).
Day 11 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.
NOTE: Please ensure you carry your passport with you when crossing the borders on excursions.