Monte Carlo

Monaco is one of Europe’s smallest independent states where the rich are free to flaunt their wealth and where one of the ‘must-have’s’ is a yacht berthed in La Condamine harbour. The upper part of Monaco stands 200 feet above the shore, and drops perpendicularly to the waves below on almost all sides. Your guide will show you the highlights of Monaco-Ville, including the narrow alleys of the Old Town and the exteriors of the Prince’s Palace and the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly and where they are both now buried.

Monte-Carlo is the epitome of glitz and glamour, where fortunes have been won and lost on the roll of a dice. Life in Monte-Carlo revolves around 3 nerve centres; the Casino, the Hotel de Paris and the Café de Paris. The stunning Casino is surrounded by beautiful gardens; this area is a favorite haunt of the rich and famous.

You’ll have some free time to browse the exclusive boutiques, shop for a souvenir of your visit or perhaps relax in one of the chic cafés and watch the world go by.

Many tours of Monaco and Monte-Carlo involve a considerable amount of walking. Special arrangements have been made to use local city buses to transfer between attractions, allowing much of the walking to be avoided.

The narrow streets of Old Monaco and the Prince’s Palace cling together on a promontory. You’ll see Prince’s Palace Square and the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly and where they are both now laid to rest. There will be free time here for shopping.

Within the district of Monte-Carlo, you’ll find the Place du Casino, a golden square boasting the Hotel de Paris, Café de Paris and the legendary Monte-Carlo Casino. View the exterior of the magnificent Casino, which stands on a fine terrace surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Monaco and Monte-Carlo, the playground of millionaires, where mega yachts line the marina, and villas owned by celebrities dot the hillside. This tour offers a brilliant perspective of the highlights of the fairy-tale Principality of Monaco.

A trip in a helicopter is a thrilling experience. Enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the stunning Riviera coastline, its beaches, gardens and surrounding mountains. After circling the Principality, you’ll sweep along the shoreline for aerial views of the village of Roquebrune and onwards over Cap Martin, Menton and the Italian border. Constantly changing images of the Riviera appear before you including Nice, Cap Ferrat and the amazing little village of Eze, perched on a hilltop overlooking one of the most beautiful natural bays in the Mediterranean, Villefranche. Finally, after this 20-minute scenic extravaganza, you’ll head back along the coast to the glitz and glamour of Monaco.

A spectacular way to see the stunning sights of the Riviera.

One of the world’s greatest and most challenging motor racing events, the Monaco Grand Prix is the most famous ‘street circuit’ in the Formula One calendar.

As you follow part of the road on foot, you can almost imagine Hamilton or Raikkonen whizzing by in their McLaren or Ferrari. See the hairpin bends and famous corners, including Casino Square and the entrance to the tunnel. Just picture the scene in your mind as you walk part of the course, screaming engines, smoking tyres and the brilliant drivers on a course that allows no margin of error. Just think, next time you see the race on TV, you can tell your friends, ‘I’ve walked part of that circuit!’

Pay a visit to the Prince of Monaco’s Private Classic Car Collection, a personal collection of 105 vintage and veteran cars, guaranteed to impress, it’s an absolute must for car buffs. Just imagine owning a 1929 Bugatti, a 1903 De Dion Bouton or a 1986 Lamborghini Countach. Then there’s always the 1952 Rolls Royce. Each glittering car is perfectly maintained and, of course, was owned by Prince Rainier.

Nice, the undisputed ‘Queen and Capital’ of the French Riviera. Take a drive along the Promenade des Anglais, a 3-mile-long seafront boulevard with palms and flowers following the curve of the wonderful Bay of Angels.

Popular with both the young and the young-at-heart, the Little Train is an effortless way to discover Nice. Board the small tourist train for a narrated ride through Nice. See the narrow streets of the Old Town and pass by the Cours Saleya, where the local flower market takes place. Climb up to Castle Hill Park, which provides an excellent view over Old Nice and the glittering Baie des Anges.

You’ll have approximately 1 hour’s free time to enjoy in the atmospheric Old Town. Stroll the beach front promenade, brows for local souvenirs or just relax in a nearby café.

This relaxing panoramic tour takes you along the famous Corniche roads, spectacularly set one above the other on the mountainside.

You’ll head along the Middle Corniche and on to the old village of Eze, perched high on a promontory like an eagle’s nest, dominating Cap d’Ail. Enjoy a brief stroll in the square situated at the bottom of the pretty village of Eze.

Travel along the Upper Corniche to La Turbie, where marvellous views extend over the border and the Principality of Monaco below. Your tour also passes by the old village of Roquebrune, with its imposing castle.

Menton is the last French town before reaching the Italian border and claims to be the warmest resort on the French Riviera. Enjoy free time in Menton to browse in the shops, or relax in a café enjoying the atmosphere and wonderful ocean views.

Enjoy a drive along the Corniche, one of the Riviera’s most scenic routes, passing La Turbie and Roquebrune on your way to Eze.

The medieval village of Eze clings to a stark rocky outcrop - a fascinating sight as you approach the village on a narrow, winding road. Stroll the cobblestoned streets lined with old stone houses featuring pink, tiled roofs. Many of the houses are home to smart boutiques and artists’ studios. Walk the battlements of Eze Castle, which affords mountain and sea views, before visiting the cactus garden.

During your visit, you’ll have some free time to browse the shops or simply relax in a nearby café before the return drive.

Setting off from Monte Carlo, you’ll head along the motorway and on to the glittering enclave of Cannes, home of the famous film festival.

Upon arrival, your drop off point will be along the famous and elegant La Croisette, where you’ll have around 3 hours to explore Cannes at your own leisure. You may choose to stroll La Croisette, which separates the town from parkland and beaches, browse the boutiques or view the yachts and pleasure boats in the marina. Perhaps head to the charming old town and discover the quaint streets lined with an array of shops and galleries. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from in Cannes, where you can purchase some refreshments or lunch.

Afterwards, you’ll rejoin your escort and coach at the designated meeting point for the return drive to Monte Carlo.

From Monte-Carlo, travel west to the glittering enclave of Cannes. Upon arrival at the elegant La Croisette Avenue, you’ll enjoy a short guided walking tour of the main highlights of Cannes. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to further explore at leisure, browse the shops of the Rue d'Antibes, admire the hotels or view the yachts and pleasure boats in the marina.

Your tour will continue to St Paul de Vence, one of the most beautiful villages in the Provence region. The charm and spectacular scenery which surrounds St Paul has changed little over the years and has inspired artists such as Picasso. The streets are aligned with delightful art studios and antique and craft shops. Enjoy a short guided walk through the narrow, cobblestoned streets before being given some free time to explore independently.

Cannes and St Paul De Vence offer plenty of cafés and restaurants for you to purchase lunch or refreshments during your tour.

Drive along the Lower Cornice to Nice where you can enjoy spectacular views along the Promenade des Anglais, this 3 mile-long seafront boulevard is lined with palms and flowers and follows the curve of the wonderful Bay of Angels.

You’ll have approximately 1 hour of free time to take in the atmosphere of the Old Town. Stroll along the beachfront promenade, browse for local specialities or souvenirs, or just relax in a nearby café.

Enjoy the scenery as you take the Middle Corniche from Nice to the Principality of Monaco where you will ascend by an elevator and escalator to the top of the Old Town. This is where you’ll board the Little Train, an effortless way to discover the old town of Monaco and Monte Carlo.

From Monaco you will travel along the motorway to Cannes, home of the famous film festival. Your drop off point will be close to the “Palais des Festivals” along the famous and elegant La Croisette where you’ll have around 2 hours to explore Cannes at your own leisure.

You may choose to stroll La Croisette, which separates the town from parkland and beaches, browse the boutiques or view the yachts and pleasure boats in the marina. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from in Cannes, where you can purchase some refreshments.

Afterwards, rejoin your escort and coach at the designated meeting point for the drive partly along a coastal road to Nice.

Your drop off in Nice is the “Place Massena”, which is the main square, next to the old town and pedestrian shopping streets. The Old Town and Market area is full of atmosphere; a network of twisting, narrow lanes and steps, where you’ll find tall houses with pastel-coloured façades, shops and restaurants. A flower market is held in the Cours Saleya. You’ll have approximately 2½ hours to browse at leisure, admiring the colourful produce and specialities of Provence.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive along the Middle Corniche towards Nice. Soak up the wonderful views over Cap Ferrat, Villefranche and Beaulieu.

You’ll have a panoramic drive around Nice to capture the charm and atmosphere of the French Riviera. Within the Old Town of Nice you’ll see tall houses, adorned with bright flowers and laundry which shade the streets below from the glare of the sun. Take a walk along the Cours Saleya, where the famous flower market is held each morning.

You’ll be guided through the labyrinth of narrow streets in the Old Town to a cellar, where you’ll have chance to sample some of the wonderful local cheese and wine – for a real flavour of France.

Your return drive to Monte Carlo takes you via the Lower Corniche which runs along the beautiful coastline and the foot of the mountain slopes of the Côte d’Azur.

Many tours of Monaco and Monte-Carlo involve a considerable amount of walking. Special arrangements have been made to use local city buses to transfer between attractions, allowing much of the walking to be avoided.

The narrow streets of Old Monaco and the Prince’s Palace cling together on a promontory. You’ll see Prince’s Palace Square and the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly and where they are both now laid to rest. There will be free time here for shopping.

Within the district of Monte-Carlo, you’ll find the Place du Casino, a golden square boasting the Hotel de Paris, Café de Paris and the legendary Monte-Carlo Casino. View the exterior of the magnificent Casino, which stands on a fine terrace surrounded by beautiful gardens.