4* Italian Riviera

A Crusader favourite, Diano Marina is your base to enjoy the year round warm climate, wonderful palms and exotic plants which have given rise to the name Riviera dei Fiori - The Riviera of Flowers. This lovely resort is perfect for touring the Italian and French Rivieras as it is one of the best loved resorts in the region, set in a wide sweeping bay edged with sandy beaches and with an old town full of character and charm. Along the citrus lined streets is an abundance of pavement cafés, restaurants and bars, shops and boutiques. The elegant, palm fringed promenade provides the perfect spot for leisurely watching the world go by.Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Then continue via the auto-routes of France en-route to your overnight hotel in central France. BB

DAY 2 - Departing after breakfast, enjoy a day of ever changing scenery as you journey southwards into Italy to the resort of Diano Marina to check in for your 5 or 6 night stay. DBB

DAY 3 - 6 (or 7) - At leisure in Diano Marina with THREE INCLUDED excursions. An optional excursion is available on the 9 day tour only

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Alassio
This half day excursion takes you on a scenic drive along the Ligurian coastline to one of its most elegant resorts, Alassio. This has been a preferred choice of destination for travellers since the 18th century, attracted by its 4 kilometres of fine sandy beach which slopes gently into the sea.

Monaco & Monte Carlo - Fully escorted by local guide
Visit legendary Monaco, spectacularly nestled between the mountains and the Med. Vibrant Monte Carlo is the epitome of glamour and extravagance with its pretty Old Town and famous Grimaldi Palace, residence of Prince Albert II. Enjoy a little bit of Monte Carlo magic, just like the world's rich and famous, and soak up the atmosphere, marvel at the mega yachts crammed in the marina and imagine the drama at the F1 racetrack.

San Remo & Dolceaqua - Fully escorted by local guide
Enjoy the spectacular Italian coastline to San Remo, Italy's own Monte Carlo, with its extravagant villas, plenty of Riviera-style grandeur and lovely, colourful flowers. Tuesday is market day in San Remo. Then continue on, discovering the valleys and hidden villages en-route to the old stone settlement of Dolceaqua, the serene medieval gem with its beautiful 15th century humpback bridge and castle ruins, immortalised by Monet in one of his late 19th century paintings.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION (9 day only)
Nice & Perfume Factory - Fully escorted by local guide
With its mix of olde-worlde opulence, year-round sunshine, vibrant street life and stunning seaside location, no place in France compares with Nice. It is the Mediterranean sea and climate had attracted visitors since the 1700s and as you look around you'll see the same attractions that drew Europe's belle-époque aristocrats to promenade along the waterfront in horse-drawn carriages. Nothing compares to the simple joy of a balmy beach day interspersed with a spot of people-watching astride the Promenade des Anglais' famous blue chairs. A visit to the most important 'Parfumerie' in the South of France to discover the secrets of the perfume industry is also included.

DAY 7 or 8 - Today it's farewell to Italy as you return northwards to the final stop in central France. BB

RETURN DAY- After breakfast, travel back through France to Calais for the return to England.Your Hotel
HOTEL BELLEVUE ET MEDITERRANÉE, DIANO MARINA
This traditional 4* family-run hotel is on the main coastal road in Diana Marina and backs onto its own private beach with lovely views of the Gulf. It is within easy reach of pedsestrian town centre and promenade. Guestrooms are comfortable with air-conditioning, satellite TV, safe and free WiFi. The hotel beach is equipped with changing facilities, loungers and parasols (FOC for hotel guests except for small supplement for first two rows). There is a (seasonal) outdoor 28°Cseawater pool as well as a Thalasso wellness pool with waterjets. There is a dedicated breakfast lounge as well as a large restaurant with views over the Gulf of Diano, bar and outdoor dining terrace. Staff are friendly and dinners are normally a choice menu and breakfast is buffet style. There is a lift.

Seaview and / or balcony rooms - on request with a supplement chargeable