Highlights
- Embrace the jet-set life with a sunset cruise around the Côte d'Azur
- Visit nearby Monaco and discover Monte Carlo's casinos and fast cars
- Discover Picasso's legacy in enchanting Antibes and Saint-Paul de Vence
- Experience vintage Saint-Tropez with visits to 1960s film locales in an iconic car
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Nice, Champagne Sunset Cruise Around the Coast | Nice |
| Day 2 | Guided Tour of Monaco & the Riviera, Gardens & Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild | Nice |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Adventure on the Coast: Cannes, Antibes, & Saint-Paul de Vence | Nice |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Saint-Tropez, Cape Dramont & Golden Island Cruise | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 5 | Gulf of Saint-Tropez Vintage Driving Tour & Wine Tasting | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 6 | Saint-Tropez Gourmet Market Tour, Afternoon Beach Club Experience | Saint-Tropez |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Nice, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nice, Champagne Sunset Cruise Around the Coast
Bienvenue en France! Your flight lands in Nice, a chic port town at the northern end of the French Riviera. The city earned its nickname, Nissa La Bella (Nice the Beautiful), for its artistic spirit, grand plazas, and crescent-shaped pebble beaches. You'll be met by your driver and transferred to your 5-star hotel, Le Negresco, whose doors have been welcoming the international jet set since 1913 and whose guests have included Salvador Dalí, Princess Grace of Monaco, Elton John, and The Beatles.
Check in, and you'll find the hotel's artistic opulence mirrored in the individual design of each room or suite. Expect a joyous mix of eras and styles with an extensive collection of works of art from the 17th century to contemporary, and ornate period furnishings throughout the hotel. After a refresh, waste no time exploring Nice's chic, colorful Vieille Ville (Old Town), whose streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings, cafés and boutiques.
This evening's private cruise around the Mediterranean coastline sets the tone for your stay as you head to the harbor and board your catamaran. Sip Champagne and toast your vacation while watching the sun gently set over the Baie des Anges and admire the twinkling lights of the Côte d'Azur.
Day 2: Guided Tour of Monaco & the Riviera, Gardens & Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Spend today touring the best of the Riviera's enchanting hilltop villages and landmarks with your private driver and guide. Your first stop is Èze, a medieval village nicknamed "the eagle's nest" for its position at a rocky outcrop. Stroll the corkscrew cobbled streets to the top of the town, and you'll find the castle ruins and an exotic garden, home to a striking collection of cactuses and succulents. En route to Monaco, you'll pass through La Turbie to see the landmark Trophy of Augustus, a 164-foot-high (50 m) monument dedicated to the Roman Emperor.
Eventually, you'll reach Monaco—one of the world's smallest countries. There's plenty to explore here, not least in Le Rocher (the medieval Old Town), where you'll find the Prince's Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum. Your guide will share snippets of history and anecdotes about the dynasty that's reigned here for dozens of years, and you'll finish with a visit to the Monte Carlo district to see the legendary casino and Prince Rainer's car collection.
Continue your exploration of the French Riviera with a trip to the Rothschild Villa Ephrussi and Gardens, a magnificent palace with 19th-century pink facades surrounded by nine gardens. With themes ranging from Japanese, Florentine, Provençal, and Rose, you can either spend a couple of hours wandering the gardens at your own pace or with a private guide. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel in time for dinner.
Day 3: Full-Day Adventure on the Coast: Cannes, Antibes, & Saint-Paul de Vence
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Known for its annual film festival, gorgeous beaches, and chic boutiques, Cannes epitomizes the luxury and glamour of the French Riviera. You'll start your full-day private tour of the coast with a visit to the city's Old Port, the entry point to Cannes' historic center, the Suquet. Built on a hill, the labyrinthine medieval streets lead to sweeping views of the coast. Pop into any designer shops you've had your eye on, then continue along the coast to Antibes, a typical Provençal market town home to the Picasso Museum, which chronicles the artist's famous 1946 stay in Château Grimaldi.
The art theme continues with a visit to Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval walled town known for its contemporary art museums and residents, including the artists Picasso and Marc Chagall, French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, and American writer James Baldwin. Don't miss the 17th-century Saint Charles-Saint Claude chapel, which in 2012 was decorated with murals by French artist Paul Conte. Stop for a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, where you'll find regional delicacies, including Provençal stew, aioli, and anchoïade, a delicious anchovy dip.
After a full day of exploring, you'll return to your hotel late afternoon, where you can either relax with an apéritif on the terrace, enjoy a predinner dip in the pool, or book a massage or spa treatment.
Day 4: Transfer to Saint-Tropez, Cape Dramont & Golden Island Cruise
Today marks the next leg of your French Riviera vacation with a private two-hour transfer to Saint-Tropez. This former 16th-century citadel has morphed from a peaceful fishing village at the beginning of the 20th century to one of the world's top luxury destinations and a jet set favorite. Your introduction to the beauty of "St-Trop," as regulars affectionately call it, starts with a half-day cruise to Cape Dramont and L'île d'Or. Your driver will drop you at the old port of Saint-Raphaël, where you'll meet your captain and board your catamaran for a small group excursion.
The next three hours are yours to relax and sunbathe on deck, admire the rocky tower rising from the islet of L'île d'Or (Golden Island), or enjoy a swim or snorkel in the tempting Mediterranean waters. Toward the end of the afternoon, you'll return to the port, where your driver will transfer you to your 5-star La Bastide de Saint-Tropez hotel. Situated a few minutes from the beaches of Ramatuelle, La Bastide is an elegant Mediterranean mansion with four luxurious Provençal farmhouses built around a heated pool and enclosed in an oasis of palm trees and exotic plants.
Check into your prestige room or suite, and the rest of the day is yours to relax. Check out the hotel's spa, unwind poolside, or meander the cobbled lanes in the old fishing quarter of La Ponche, where you can watch locals play pétanque beneath the shade of the plane trees.
Day 5: Gulf of Saint-Tropez Vintage Driving Tour & Wine Tasting
Follow in the footsteps of famous French actor Louis de Funès today, whose 1964 comedy "Les Gendarmes à Saint-Tropez" stormed the box office and has remained a cult favorite. You'll embark on a private tour of the region's wine estates in either a vintage Citröen 2CV or an open-top Mehari; both made mythical by the actor during the sixties. Accompanied by a sommelier, you'll drive by the Gendarmerie of Saint-Tropez and head to Château de Pampelonne, a renowned local vineyard where you'll enjoy a wine tasting and tour of the vineyards.
Hop back in the car, and your next stop is the Domaine de la Madrague winery, situated near Gigaro Beach in La Croix Valmer (another of the film's iconic locations.) Known for its organic methods, you'll taste several varietals and hear about the estate's wine production and how the grapes are cultivated according to ancient farming methods. Afterward, you'll be dropped back at your hotel for another leisurely afternoon poolside.
Day 6: Saint-Tropez Gourmet Market Tour, Afternoon Beach Club Experience
If yesterday showcased the best of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez's wine, then this morning's tour of the town's Places des Lices market is an introduction to the area's renowned gastronomy. Accompanied by a local food guide, you'll stroll the stalls and discover the Provençal herbs and spices used to make the region's bouillabaisse and ratatouille. Sample decadent tarte Tropézienne, a brioche pastry filled with creamy custard, and hear about Saint-Tropez's history and development during the 20th century.
The town's seaside location ensures excellent seafood, and you'll stop by the fish market to view the day's catch before sampling delicacies such as chestnut cream, fresh goat's cheese, honey, and olives. Your tour concludes at one of the nearby al fresco cafés where you'll enjoy either a café or a well-deserved glass of rosé.
No trip to Saint-Tropez is complete without a visit to one of the town's legendary beach clubs, and you'll spend the afternoon at your club of choice. Whether you choose the iconic Club 55 on Boulevard Patch or one of the more recent arrivals, such as La Réserve, Serena, or Loulou, the rest of the afternoon is yours to dance, relax beachside on a sunbed with a cocktail, or sample mouthwatering al fresco dining.
Day 7: Transfer to Nice, Depart
It's time to say goodbye to the Riviera. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport in Nice. Au revoir!
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