Christmas in Nice

Begin your holiday at our Departure Office in London St Pancras where you meet your Tour Manager. Depart on the direct Eurostar to Paris before changing trains for the highspeed service to Nice before arriving at the Hôtel Monsigny, our home for the next 6 nights.

Enjoy a guided tour of Nice this morning, travelling by coach to Masséna Square where your tour starts. Continue to the Old Town, seeing the Opera House, flower market, and Nice Cathedral. Later, you take the lift to Castle Hilltop which boasts views across the Promendade des Anglais and the Old Town. After some free time, transfer to Lucéram, a quaint village with medieval streets and buildings. During Christmas this little village comes alive and every alley, every house is decked with pine branches and tinsels. A unique feature of this village is the setting up of nativity scenes; be it in a tiny alcove on the stone wall of a house or the village square, nativity scenes of varied sizes are set up everywhere. You are free to explore this unique festivity at your own pace, before returning to Nice.

Today is Christmas Eve and you travel by rail to Villefranche-sur-Mer. Picturesquely located on the slope of a hill that cascades down to a bay on the French Riviera, this village and fishing port has long been a popular holiday resort thanks to its sunny Mediterranean climate, sandy beaches, and excellent restaurants. The idyllic French village, situated between Monaco and Nice, has managed to retain its authenticity and is the perfect destination to take in the beauty of the sunny Mediterranean. After a free afternoon in Nice, this evening you enjoy a Christmas Eve 3-course gala dinner and drinks.

Today is free in Nice and you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the French Riviera. Enjoy a 4-course Christmas lunch along with a glass of Kir at your hotel. You have the option of going out for a post-lunch walk with your Tour Manager should you choose to, before a Christmas quiz session.

This morning travel by train to Antibes, an idyllic harbour town. Here you have time to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the local market where rows of stalls hawk fresh local produce and are full of native people. A quintessential Provençal market, it is the centre of the town's social life and the perfect way to experience a slice of their everyday activities. Perhaps visit the fascinating Picasso Museum, formerly the Château Grimaldi, an impressive fortress that was built upon the foundations of the ancient Greek town of Antipolis.

This afternoon you continue by rail to Cannes, home to one of the most celebrated annual film festivals. You are free to relax on its palm tree-lined beaches or explore its various museums that render the town its unique charm.

Travel by coach today for a guided tour of Monte Carlo and Monaco. Visit the glamorous Casino de Monte Carlo on arrival, an integral part of the city's culture. Besides the intricate rooms that house the slot machines and various table games, there is also the iconic Hexa Grace, a brilliantly patterned mosaic terrace that offers enchanting views of the Mediterranean.

Later, you continue to Monaco by coach. Explore Jardin Exotique, a botanical garden located on a cliffside, that is home to exotic species cacti and other Mediterranean plants. The garden offers some of the most majestic views over the French Riviera. You also see the cathedral and the Prince's Palace where you witness the Change of Guards. You return to Nice in the evening for dinner at the hotel.