Remember that from June to late September the traffic is a big issue on the Riviera. If your clients want to sight see a lot we recommend they stay in Nice or a central location half way between Monaco and Cannes.
CHARMING VILLAGES – CRAFTS
Today you enjoy some other villages with a different feel such as Biot, a very charming and known village for its glassblowing, Vallauris certainly famous for its Picasso’s museum and all its beautiful ceramics. Picasso has spent a lot time there and Grasse. Grasse is the World capital of Perfume. If you are interested we can arrange for you to create your own perfume that in the future you can reorder.
NICE
The city of Nice is stunning right now. The city has been through major renovations and it is very pleasant to explore it. You will enjoy particularly a walk in the old district, the flower and open market and the Cimiez district. Formerly a Roman capital, this posh neighborhood is completely different from the rest of Nice. You will find in Cimiez are ruins of Roman baths and a Roman arena, olive groves, a dramatic French cemetery, the Matisse Museum, Henry Matisse's grave.
THE TASTE OF NICE
WALKING TOUR
You will first enjoy a very scenic sometimes breathtaking drive along the famous corniche to reach Nice. We are very happy to bring to you a very interactive, interesting and fun 4 hour visit of the beautiful old part of town of Nice.
3 visits will bring to you the flavors of not only this city but also the Riviera region.
- A wine tasting in the oldest cellar of Nice. a 18th century cellar where Woody Allen shot the movie Magic in the moonlight. the owner of the place will be your host and will tell you lots of very colorful stories and give ultimately a very informative tasting about the Bellet and Provence wines.
- An initiation around AOP Olive Oil in the oldest family owned company.
- And finally we will bring to you a personal experience in the perfume creation at the world first Perfumer: Molinard.
St. PAUL DE VENCE
This morning you will head in a different direction to discover one of the gems of the area: St Paul de Vence. A charming hilltop fortified village filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It's hard to find something unappealing about this quaint village. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls. There are breathtaking views of mountains and sea. Lunch in St Paul on the main square of the village.
ANTIBES
The old town of Antibes is very pleasant to explore, with a mass of narrow winding streets lined with pretty houses, designer shops and boutiques, and cafes and bars, and surrounded by Vauban's ramparts. There are a few sites of historical interest: the cathedral, the medieval church towers, and the 16th century fortress - fort carré. We will certainly not forget the Picasso Museum set in in the Chateau Grimaldi. It was the first museum in the world to be dedicated to the artist. Picasso himself donated works to the museum, most notably his paintings "The Goat" and "La Joie de Vivre".
EZE, MONACO/MONTE CARLO
ROTHSCHILD EPHRUSSI VILLA & GARDENS
You will depart for a fun and interesting day. First, you will visit Eze, another gem of the Riviera. The ancient fortified village is still crowned with the ruins of its 12th-century fortified castle (torn down in 1706), sitting on a narrow rocky peak. The castle grounds host the well-known Jardin Exotique, and from the top the views of the Mediterranean coast are breathtaking.
Lunch in Eze.
In the afternoon, you will discover a very special place: The Rothschild Ephrussi Villa and Gardens. Through the art dealers and experts she befriended, Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild sought out artworks all over the world, transforming the Villa at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat into a collector’s paradise. Between sea and sky, overlooking the bay of Villefranche, the nine heavenly gardens are adorned with patios, fountains, ponds, flowered and shaded paths. You will also spend some time in Villefranche sur Mer.
And you will finally visit Monaco/Monte Carlo district. You will discover the many facets of the Principality. Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens makes it a unique and fun visit.
One of the highlights is a visit to the Palace and watch the changing of the guards. The Guard is composed of 3 Officers, 15 Sergeant-majors and 80 Privates, all highly trained French military men. These are the Guards one sees each day promptly at 11:55 AM in front of the royal entrance on the Palace Square performing the ceremony of the Changing of the Guards. This tradition is performed in full dress uniform, black in the winter and white in the summer, and has not changed for more than 100 years. But this ceremony is only one of the many duties of the Palace Guards. They escort religious and civil and ceremonial processions; and ensure security for sports and other public events in the Principality.
PAYS DE FAYENCE
You will explore the Pays de Fayence where there are 8 hill top villages: Tanneron, Montauroux, Callian, Mons, Tourettes, Fayence, Saint-Paul, Seillans. Located between the coast and the mountains of Préalpes, the back-country of the Var is just a very beautiful area offering stunning points of views. If you are interested, we will take you to the St Cezaire caves. Very interesting site.