This super holiday, taking in the French and Italian Rivieras, and the famous pyrotechnics competition hosted each year in Monaco, starts with a glass of Bubbly at St Pancras’ famous Champagne Bar (from Ebbsfleet on request) before boarding the Eurostar to Lille or Paris. After an overnight stay, we continue by TGV train to Nice and onward coach to the Italian Riviera. On the Riviera enjoy half board accommodation and visits to Monaco, Portofino & Dolceacqua.

International Competition of Musical Fireworks of Monaco
First introduced by Monaco’s Town Hall in 1966, the International Pyromelodic Firework Competition is a must see contest that takes place every summer, with 2 shows in July and 2 more in August, lighting up Monaco’s sky at every show. Ever since its 31st edition, in 1996, this pyrotechnical contest has become pyromelodic, with rhythm and melody going hand in hand during shows. This is an actual annually-prized contest of top-quality pyrotechnic displays, lasting up to about 20 minutes each.

Day 1: Eurostar to Paris
Champagne check-in at St Pancras before an afternoon departure by Eurostar to Paris (from Ebbsfleet on request). Transfer to our overnight hotel. This evening you are free to explore the city and savour one of the many good restaurants in the centre or you may like to join an optional excursion including a boat ride on the Seine (payable locally).

Day 2: Paris - San Bartolomeo
Depart the hotel to join an early-morning TGV to Nice. On arrival we meet our coach and drive to San Bartolomeo on Italy’s Ligurian coast and check-in at the Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Monaco
After breakfast we have a free morning followed by lunch which is inluded today. Early afternoon we join our coach and travel to Monaco where you can enjoy the glitz, glamour and relaxed atmosphere of this tiny principality. Enjoy a coffee in the famous Café de Paris in Casino Square; marvel at the mega-yachts in Port Hercule from the harbourside, or from the water-taxi - just 2 euros each way; discover rustic Monaco-Ville and the Royal Palace on the ‘Rock of Monaco’. Time at leisure for you to get your own dinner before we congregate in the Port Hercule area for the fireworks. Late return to San Bartolomeo.

Day 4: San Bartolomeo
Today is free to explore on your own or your Tour Manager will be able to assist with local transport to nearby towns such as Diano Marina or Alassio. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5: Portofino
After an early breakfast we will travel by coach to Santa Margherita where we join the ferry to Portofino. The approach to Portofino by boat is spectacular with coastal views not available by other transport. We return to the hotel late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Ligurian Day
Today we have an excursion to Dolceacqua, a medieval village at the foot of the Rebuffao mountains. Here you can meander through the village streets and climb to the 12th century castle, or cross the single-arch bridge to the 15th century ‘new’ town. Afterwards we have a tasting session of local Liguarian snacks with wine. We return to San Bartolomeo via the Mediterranean resort of San Remo, said to be the Monte Carlo of Italy due to its famous casino. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7: Diano Marina to UK
After an early breakfast we depart the hotel by coach and return to Nice for our train to the UK.
Note: Order of excursions are subject to change depending on local conditions.

Paris: 2/3-star hotel

Hotel Bergamo - 3-star - San Bartolomeo al Mare
Set in a quiet location within easy reach of the beach, Diano Marina, and the historic town of Cervo. The hotel has a swimming pool restaurant and a comfortable bar. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, telephone, and satellite TV. The restaurant offers a full buffet breakfast and dinner served at your table.

• Escorted throughout


• Champagne Check-in at London St Pancras - 1 glass of Champagne or alternative non-alcoholic drink


• Return Eurostar & TGV rail travel London St Pancras to Nice (from Ebbsfleet on request).


• 1 night hotel B&B in Paris or Lille


• 5 nights sharing a twin/double room at Hotel Bergamo, San Bartolomeo al Mare with buffet breakfasts & dinners


• 1/4 of house wine with dinner per person every evening in Italy


• Excursions as stated


• All transfers abroad

Not Included:

• Optional tour in Paris price TBA

Accommodation Options:

• Single room supplement £125


• Pre/post departure overnight hotel near London St Pancras - 2 to 4-star options - call for availability and prices
  

DEPOSIT:
By Rail £50pp

Eurostar – London to Lille or Paris
From London St Pancras, Eurostar takes as little as 1 hour 40 minutes to Lille and around 2 hours 15 minutes to Paris. On board, you will have a reserved, semi-reclining aircraft-style seat. You’ll also find a buffer car serving tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, sandwiches, crisps and a few hot snacks. Sterling, Euros and cards accepted. You can eat and drink in the bar area (standing space only, there are no seats) or take your purchases back to your seat. You can also take your own food and drink on board.
TGV – Lille or Paris to Nice
After our private Champagne check-in at St Pancras, our Tour Manager - with you throughout the holiday - will escort you to the Eurostar departure gates where we check-in and pass through customs and security, ready to board the early afternoon train to Lille or Paris. The journey time is around 90 minutes to Lille, 2hrs 10mins to Paris.
On arrival we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free to explore at leisure and obtain dinner. The next morning we join the TGV for our journey to Nice. On board the TGV, settle in to your comfortable seat and relax as the French countryside rolls past the windows.
Travel & Luggage
There are no actual luggage weight restrictions imposed by the rail companies. However, for your comfort and convenience we recommend you limit your luggage to the following: ONE main suitcase⁄holdall with built in wheels weighing no more than 15 to 20kgs per person – Plus ONE small shoulder bag⁄holdall per person. Restricting the bulk of your luggage to manageable sizes will make the journey more enjoyable. You will need to move all your own bags on and off trains and between platforms and transfer vehicles. Our tour manager will be unable to provide physical assistance with luggage. On TGV trains, you may be allocated seats on the the upper floor, which means you would have to carry your bags upstairs. Many train stations and platforms are big and long, sometimes with stairs or escalators. Some stations have lifts, but using them can involve a longer walk, so be prepared for this when walking with your luggage.
Train travel is a relaxing and enjoyable feature of our holidays
However, at times it can be physically demanding as you will be required to walk and move your luggage on and off trains and between platforms and transfer vehicles. Many train stations and platforms are big and long, sometimes with stairs or escalators, so please be prepared for this when walking with your luggage. The Tour Manager⁄Escort will not be able to provide you and⁄or your luggage with physical assistance at anytime. Where overnight or main hotels are less than 150 metres (approx) from the station, no transportation or luggage assistance will be provided.
Please Help us to Help You
In our experience, clients who discuss with us their concerns over mobility limitations and⁄or health issues (including visibility, hearing etc) when booking, are far more satisfied with the level of service we provide and enjoy a more relaxed and fun holiday, compared to those who attempt to cope without the benefit of our expert advice.
We must stress that these holidays are not suitable for users of mobility scooters, wheelchairs or walking aids (frames, sticks, etc).