ITALIAN RIVIERA – DIANO MARINA, MONACO & MONTE CARLO

Day 1: Early hours of the morning departure from North Wales and travel to Dover for the ferry crossing to Calais. Upon arrival we continue to our overnight hotel, the 4-star Novotel Dijon Sud.

Day 2: After breakfast we continue our journey south through France and into Italy, arriving in Diano Marina for 6-night stay at the 4-star Hotel Bellevue et Mediterranée.

Day 3: A day at leisure in Diano Marina, known as the ‘jewel’ of this region. Set in a wide sweeping bay with safe sandy beaches, it offers elegant shops, restaurants and cafes along its palm fringed promenade.

Day 4: Full day to Monaco and Monte Carlo. Accompanied by an experienced guide, discover one of Europe’s smallest countries. Nestled in a cove along the coast close to the French/Italian border, it is the home of the rich and famous. The atmosphere here is both big city and miniature operatic. Monaco refers to the principality, located high on the rock, where you will find the Royal Palace, the church where Princess Grace is buried, the famous Oceanographic Museum and the old town. Down from the rock you find the newer 19th-century area of Monte Carlo made famous by the Grand Prix motor race. Enjoy some free time at the Casino Square or ‘Golden Square’ with prestigious shops, amazing restaurants and luxury cars.

Day 5: We take the coastal road to San Remo, capital of the ‘Riviera of Flowers’, famous for its casino, palm trees and festivals. It is said to be the Riviera’s most glittering and cosmopolitan resort. It boasts a pretty domed Russian Orthodox Church and the romantic old town with its narrow streets is awash with shops, elegant boutiques, bars and cafes.

Day 6: Enjoy another free day to relax and explore your resort.

Day 7: Today we head to Alassio. This former feudal town which belonged to the monks of nearby Isola Gallinara is now one of Italy’s most popular holiday centres. The town’s muretto (little wall) has hundreds of ceramic tiles reproducing the signatures of famous visitors.

Day 8: We depart Diano Marina after breakfast and journey north to our overnight hotel, the 4-star Novotel Dijon Sud.

Directly on the blue Mediterranean Sea and boasting its own beach in addition to its swimming pools and ample sun terraces, this hotel is the perfect place to relax.

The award-winning 4-star Hotel Bellevue et Mediterranne is set right on the seafront of Diano Maina and is an immaculate and well-maintained hotel that has been family run for many years. This well renowned hotel is located a short stroll from the resort centre and is beautifully designed, with a lovely relaxing lounge and bar area which opens out onto the heated swimming pool, sun terrace and beach.

The breakfast lounge overlooks the Gulf. Evening dinners are served in the restaurant, which also overlooks the Gulf of Diano. The restaurant has a well-stocked wine cellar with a wide selection of local wines to have with your dinner, all the while enjoying the view of the sea and of the beautiful mediaeval village of Cervo. There is also a coffee shop and bar with indoor and outdoor seating, which are the ideal places for a morning coffee or after dinner drink.

All of the twin and double bedrooms have a balcony and are comfortably furnished and feature a TV, telephone and a well-appointed en-suite bathroom.