Your itinerary
10 Days ~ France ~ Monaco ~
Italy
Tour Pace
This tour is certainly easy paced
with three nights
each in Monte Carlo, the elegant spa
town of Montecatini, and eternal Rome.
There
are half day excursions in each centre,
but still leaving plenty of free time to
explore.
DAY 1 – SUN – UK -
COTE D’AZUR
After your scheduled arrival to Nice
Airport there are complimentary
transfers to the tour hotel in Monaco
at 09.00, 12.00 & 15.00 hours. The
afternoon is yours to
relax and settle in before joining your
fellow passengers and Tour Director for
a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Le Meridien
Beach Plaza. (D)
DAY 2 – MON –
MONACO SIGHTSEEING
Explore Monaco which has been ruled
by the Grimaldi
family since the 13th century. Walk with
your Tour Director through the Old Town
to see the Royal Palace, where the
Grimaldi family lives, the yacht-filled
harbour
and the Cathedral, which houses the
tombs of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
Drive along part of the Grand Prix
circuit to see the Monte Carlo Casino.
(BB)
DAY 3 – TUE
– NICE &ST PAUL
DE VENCE EXCURSION
The day is set aside to enjoy a taste
of the jet
set. Visit Nice, one of the liveliest
cities in France, with its host of
attractions.
Take a stroll in the shady gardens,
relax on the beach or browse in the
exclusive
boutiques. Visit the medieval town of St
Paul de Vence, perched high on a hill top.
This was a source of inspiration for
artists such as Chagall, Matisse and
Cezanne,
and you will understand why as you
wander through the narrow cobbled
streets and
enjoy the panoramic views over Provence.
(BB)
DAY 4 – WED
– MONACO –
MONTECATINI
Cross into Italy and drive along the
‘Flower
Riviera’, following the autostrada
through tunnels and bridges. Stop in the
town of Pisa, once one of the most
important ports on the Mediterranean.
Its wealthy
merchants dedicated some of their wealth
to build a fine cathedral and baptistery,
but today it is the belltower which
attracts most notice by leaning four metres
from the perpendicular. Stay in the
nearby Tuscan spa town of Montecatini.
Hotel: Bellavista.
(BB,D)
DAY 5 – THU
– FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
A short drive leads you to Florence,
cradle of
the Renaissance. See the lofty Cathedral
and baptistery, Giotto’s 14th century
Campanile (said to be the most beautiful
bell-tower in the world), the ‘Gates
of Paradise’, Signoria Square with
its open-air gallery of Renaissance
sculpture,
and visit one of the great art galleries
to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece,
the Statue of David. In the afternoon,
you may wish to discover more of the art
treasures housed in the many museums and
galleries or explore more of this
fascinating
city before returning to the hotel.
Consider joining a Tuscan dinner party
at night.
(BB)
DAY 6 – FRI
– LUCCA EXCURSION
A short drive leads to the delightful
medieval
town of Lucca, its churches, squares and
palaces perfectly preserved within its
encircling ramparts. See the birthplace
of Puccini, who wrote the tragic opera
‘La
Boheme’, and the bronze statue
dedicated to him. After time to explore,
return
to the hotel. During the afternoon, opt
for an excursion to the hilltop town of
San Gimignano, renowned for its many
tall fortress towers, or take a relaxing
stroll
in Montecatini. (BB)
DAY
7 – SAT – MONTECATINI –
ROME
Travel southwards through the
province of Umbria
to the valley of the river Tiber and
follow its course to Rome, cradle of
ancient
civilisation. Sightseeing with a local
guide takes you inside St Peter’s
Basilica,
built around the tomb of St Peter, and
designed by some of history's greatest
architects
- Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo.
Another highlight takes you inside the
massive
Colosseum, scene of great excitement and
occasional martyrdom in imperial times.
Then look out over the Forum - once the
religious, political and commercial heart
of the Roman Empire.
Hotel: Cicerone. (BB)
DAY 8 – SUN –
ROME AT LEISURE
A day to relax and explore Rome at
your own pace.
Perhaps join an optional day trip to
Pompeii, the perfectly preserved Roman town
which was engulfed by the eruption of
Vesuvius in AD79? (BB)
DAY
9 – MON – ROME
In the Vatican State, the richest
community in
the world, you visit the superb Vatican
Museums, treasure house of the Catholic
faith with vast collections of ancient
and Renaissance art. Continue into the
Sistine
Chapel, where the Popes are elected,
immortalised by Michelangelo's painted
ceiling.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Why not visit the Catacombs, where ancient
Christians escaped to avoid persecution?
Tonight walk with your Tour director to
the Spanish Steps before a Highlight
Dinner with wine and entertainment in a
local
restaurant. (BB,HD)
DAY 10 – TUE – ROME
- UK
The tour ends after breakfast with
transfers from
the hotel to Rome’s Fiumicino
Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 &
09.00 hours. (BB)
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