Day 1: We drive south to Dover and then on to Calais via the ferry. From here we head to our first overnight stop in Northern France.
Day 2: This morning after breakfast we continue south through France. En route we will stop at one or two of the interesting towns along the way, such as historic Troyes, famed for its half-timbered buildings, or the capital of Burgundy, Dijon. We spend the night at a hotel in the central area of France.
Day 3: Today we will enjoy a couple of stops in the attractive Provence region, Valence, the gateway to the south, perched on the banks of the Rhône River, and Avignon, home of the Pope’s Palace and its famous bridge featured in the French song! On arrival in the beautiful French Riviera we check into our city centre hotel in Nice, where we spend the next 5 nights.
Day 4: We have a relaxing free day today – to spend as you please. Our hotel is ideally located within walking distance of all of Nice’s attractions. Stroll along the elegant, palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais, marvel at the luxurious yachts in the harbour in the old town, explore the famous flower market or sit in a pavement café and watch the world go by – you’ll find lots to see.
Day 5: After breakfast we head out on our first guided tour. Our local guide will show us the sights as we drive along the coast – admiring the famous Côte d’Azur scenery – to the tiny (and very rich) principality of Monaco, stopping at Monte Carlo, home of the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. We will see the ornate Prince’s Palace, the cathedral and more – plus there will be some free time to explore on your own.
Day 6: We are joined by our guide to visit the picture-postcard village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest medieval villages in France, filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. Then on to the Cosmopolitan city of Cannes, famous of course for its annual film festival. Here you can browse the luxury shops, admire the millionaires’ yachts in the harbour or just sit with a coffee and admire the view.
Day 7: Today we enjoy a half day out with our guide – to the enchanting medieval city of Èze. Perched on top of a hill overlooking the coast, the city is famous for its stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. We will visit the beautiful botanical gardens, packed with impressive cacti and other tropical delights.
Day 8: We bid au revoir to Nice and start our journey homeward. We will stop at a couple of attractive towns - Aix-en-Provence, ‘the city of a thousand fountains’ and Orange, a UNESCO World heritage site famed for its Roman architecture, to enjoy this beautiful part of France before an overnight stay in a hotel near to Vienne or Lyon.
Day 9: After breakfast we drive north through the pleasant French countryside, stopping to take in the sights of the attractive and interesting towns en route, such as Beaune with its beautiful half-timbered houses and attractive squares, and Langres, the Roman fortified town known for its basket and cutlery making, before staying overnight in a hotel in the Reims area of Northern France.
Day 10: After breakfast we depart for Calais and the ferry back to Dover and home.
Price pp based on 2 sharing includes: 9 nights D/B/B basis. Single room supplement applies.
Points To Note:
- All passengers are required to have travel insurance cover for this holiday.
- Passport required (less than 10 years old from date of travel and at least 6 months left from return date).
- Some European districts impose a modest tourist tax to be paid directly to the hotel by the guest.
- For information regarding the new border checks and travel authorisation requirements when travelling outside of the UK, please visit https://www.gbtours.com/information-for-travel-in-europe
- Overnight hotels are often motel-style and may be a lower star rating than the main holiday hotel and may not have a lift.
- Running order of days out may change due to the availability of attractions. Suggested places to stop en route are subject to change, and local traffic conditions/restrictions.
- Please be aware visits to historic French towns and attractions may not be suitable for persons with mobility issues.
- Outward and return journey (UK) may start by mini-bus and join main coach.