Menton Lemon Festival, Monte Carlo & Italian Riviera

Banish the winter blues and head for warmer climes on our ever popular holiday to the wonderful citrus-scented spectacular on the dazzling Cote d'Azur. Created in Menton in the 1930s, this world-famous 'Fete du Citron' sees the creation of huge fruity exhibitions, floats, decorations and statues in amazing shades of yellow and orange. The colourful procession comes alive with giant flowered floats, entertainers, musicians and dancers in flamboyant costumes. Your base is the popular Italian resort of Diano Marina on the Mediterranean with an included excursion to legendary Monte Carlo.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Highlights
- Hotel for 5 nights with buffet breakfast & dinner- Welcome drink on arrival- Entrance to the Menton Lemon Festival with reserved seating & local guide- Excursion to Monaco & Monte Carlo with local guide- Optional Excursion to San Remo & Dolceaqua (payable locally)- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast- Entertainment on one night- Ligurian Dinner on one night- Porterage in Italy- Italian Tourist Tax




Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Then continue via the auto-routes of France to your overnight stop. BBDay 2 - Lots to see today as your journey takes you south into Italy and into the resort of Diano Marina for your 5 night stay with a welcome drink on arrival. DBBDay 3 - 6 - At leisure in Diano Marina with two included excursions. DBBDiano Marina 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. This stunning region is renowned for its year round warm climate, beautiful beaches and sparkling blue Mediterranean waters.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Menton Lemon Festival - Sunday Parade (Escorted by local guide)
Travel along the Cote D'Azur for your visit to the Menton Lemon Festival with entrance and seats to the procession included. Every year for two weeks in the middle of February, the quiet, elegant town of Menton, on the French Riviera, literally bursts into life with zest and colour for the "Fete du Citron". Reserved seats provide the perfect vantage point to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the Golden Fruit Parade with zesty floats depicting everything from horses to dinosaurs and elephants to Buddhas along the Promenade du Soleil. There will be time to view the amazing citrus 'sculptures' in the Jardins Biovès.

Monaco & Monte Carlo (Escorted by local guide)
See how the other half live with a guided visit to 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 Ranier. 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.OPTIONAL EXCURSION
San Remo & Dolceaqua
Enjoy the spectacular Italian coastline to San Remo, Italy's own Monte Carlo, with its extravagant villas, plenty of Riviera-style grandeur and its delightful maze of lanes and alleyways. 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.Day 7 - Today bid farewell to Italy as you head north to the final overnight stop in central France. BBDay 8 - After an early breakfast, travel back through France for your return to England.Hotel Piccolo, Diano Marina



Offering a friendly welcome, the renovated 3* Piccolo Hotel, just a short walk from the beach in Diano Marina, is an intimate and comfortably furnished hotel.


The 34 bedrooms have TV, bathroom with shower, free Wi-Fi and either a terrace or balcony. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.

The restaurant serves local Ligurian as well as international cuisine. There is a bar and a lift.

The town centre is approximately 800m away.