The Cote d’Azur and Monaco

The Cote d’Azur and Monaco

Immerse yourself in the best of the French Riviera and Monaco on this exclusive and unforgettable itinerary. Experience the allure of the legendary Cote d’Azur during a 3-night stay at the deluxe Maison Albar-Le Victoria hotel. Then embark the Sea Cloud Spirit, a unique, luxurious, 3-masted tall ship. Under its billowing white sails, cruise along the sparkling Mediterranean coastline to iconic Antibes, St. Tropez and Monte Carlo. Throughout, embark on memorable excursions, from strolling the historic Old Town of Nice, France’s chic coastal city, to soaking up the rich glamor of Antibes, to delighting in France’s sunniest city, Menton, filled with gardens and lemon farms. In three destinations, customize your experience with a choice of included excursions. For example, in the Riviera Hill Towns, either explore the art scene in the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence or experience perfume-making in Grasse, home to that industry since the 1500s. Throughout this idyllic program, savor delicious food, wines and breathtaking vistas. Discover true joie de vivre in France and Monaco!

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1 | Depart Home City
Depart for Nice, France. Please check your bags from your gateway city to your arrival city. Be sure to attach the
provided Gohagan & Company luggage tags for each piece of luggage, including carry-ons. Your claim checks should
have the following airport code: NCE.

Day 2 | Arrive Nice, France
Arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice, France. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim
area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative.
As your luggage is securely transferred to the hotel, you will embark on a panoramic tour of Nice.
Nice. Welcome to this unforgettable UNESCO-inscribed city on the Cote d’Azur. Begin with a drive to Mont Boron to
enjoy an unbeatable scenic view of the Old Port of Nice, the village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Cap-Ferrat peninsula
and, of course, the famously blue water the Cote d’Azur is named for. Return to the city for a short orientation
walking tour of Nice’s Old Town. (Activity Level: Mild)
Free Time: Enjoy lunch on your own in Nice. Your Travel Director is happy to suggest a nice café or restaurant.
Afterward, check in to the deluxe Maison Albar-Le Victoria, where your room and luggage await. Free Time: Spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure, exploring the area on your own. During free
time today or later in the week, you might like to take in some of Nice’s most iconic highlights: St. Nicholas Russian
Orthodox Cathedral, consecrated in 1912, was built to support the Russian nobles who began visiting Nice in the mid19th century and fell in love with the city. You could stroll Promenade des Anglais — perhaps the most famous image
of the French Riviera, where the cerulean water and pebble beach are lined with palms, pergolas and signature blue
chairs. Marvel at Place Massena, with its distinctive checkerboard pavement tiles and famous Fontaine du Soleil,
featuring an imposing marble Apollo.
Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at the hotel this evening.
Make your own plans for dinner. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with sightseeing and dining
recommendations.

Day 3 | Nice | Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Cremat | Nice
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before departing for this morning’s excursion on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
peninsula.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean is a magnificent palace
built between 1907 and 1912 by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. She was an avid and eccentric art
collector; the villa showcases an eclectic mix of valuable art and objects, including 18th-century furniture, Old Master
paintings, sculptures, tapestries and one of the finest collections of Sèvres and Vincennes porcelain. Tour the villa,
then stroll the surrounding nine themed gardens: French, Spanish, Florentine, stone, Japanese, exotic, Provençal and
rose. The property is a fascinating tribute to the Belle Époque period. (Moderate)
Free Time: We will transfer to lovely Villefranche-Sur-Mer, a charming resort town boasting hidden stone alleyways,
pastel-colored houses and sublime views of the sea. Make your own plans for lunch, then spend some time exploring
independently. As a group we will gather and transfer to our afternoon excursion.
Chateau de Cremat. Visit this distinctive red, early 20th-century castle, set in a vineyard with an amazing panoramic
view of the surrounding countryside. Tour the gardens, vineyards, wine cellars and caves, then indulge in a tasting of
three wines, all made from organically grown grapes from the Bellet Vineyard. (Moderate)
Transfer back to the hotel.
Free Time: Spend the evening at leisure and make your own plans for dinner. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk is
happy to help with recommendations and reservations.

Day 4 | Hilltowns of the Rivieras
Savor a delicious breakfast at the hotel, then embark on your chosen excursion for the day.
Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions: Paul de Vence. This well-preserved hilltop village has drawn artists and art aficionados for centuries. Picasso, Dufy,
Matisse and Chagall have all spent time and created works here. After a guided walking tour, enjoy free time to
explore on your own. You’ll find scores of galleries and workshops tucked along the narrow, cobbled streets of this
charming medieval village. Stroll the leafy lanes filled with art galleries, gift shops and chic cafés. Marvel at beautiful
stonework, sculptures and trickling fountains. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the
hotel. (Active)
Grasse. Drive to Grasse, a lovely hillside town famous for its long-standing, UNESCO-inscribed perfume industry.
Visit the perfumery and participate in a workshop to create your own scent. In this one-of-a-kind experience, learn
how to smell and compose a fragrance. Afterward, enjoy free time to meander along the cobbled streets in Grasse’s
Old Town, stopping in shops or a café. Delight in an included lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.
(Mild)
Free Time: This afternoon, you will have time to explore Nice at your own pace. Find a spot for dinner (your Travel
Director and the Hospitality Desk are happy to help with suggestions).

Day 5 | Nice | Antibes | Embark
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before checking out this morning. Your luggage will be securely transferred to the ship.
Antibes. Head to the charming seaside town of Antibes, where the chic glamor of the French Riviera is wrapped in a
welcoming vibe. Antibes has a long history — it was founded as a Greek colony in the fourth century B.C. More
recently, it has been home to Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Aristotle Onassis and Pablo Picasso. On a guided walking
tour, explore Le Vieil Antibes (Old Town), which is enclosed by 16th-century ramparts. Stroll winding cobblestone
streets lined with pastel-tinted stone buildings; colorful flowers grow along walls and hang in baskets. See the
Grimaldi Castle, built in the 12th century and now home to the Picasso Museum. Visit Le Marché Provençal, brimming
with fresh produce, herbs and spices, and locally made products. (Moderate)
Free Time: Enjoy time exploring Antibes on your own and finding a good spot for lunch.
Transfer to the pier and embark the deluxe Sea Cloud Spirit, a unique, luxurious, three-masted tall ship. Unpack,
settle in and familiarize yourself with the ship. This evening, attend a Gohagan & Company welcome briefing and
safety drill.
Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening.
Raise a glass to your sojourn along the French Riviera!

Day 6 | Monte Carlo | Monaco
Enjoy a delicious breakfast this morning (and every morning on board!) before disembarking for your choice
excursion.
The Cote d'Azur and Monaco 5
il.gohagantravel.com | 1-800-922-3088 Monaco. In this tiny principality — the second-smallest country in the world — the Grimaldi family has led the
country since the 13th century. With an expert local guide, all groups will walk through the Old Town's charming,
narrow streets and admire the historic buildings and beautiful architecture. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady
Immaculate, built in the Roman-Byzantine style in the late 19th century. Many of the Grimaldis are buried here,
including Grace Kelly and Rainier III.
Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions:
Prince’s Palace. Tour the Prince's Palace, built as an Italian fortress in A.D. 1191. The Palace recently debuted its
restored frescoes from the Renaissance period, depicting Hercules’s birth, death and 12 labors — located in the aptly
named Hercule Gallery. Marvel at the sumptuous décor of the State Apartments, home to Monaco’s royals. (Please
note: The State Apartments are accessible only by stairs.) (Moderate)
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Overlooking the Mediterranean for
more than a century, this museum was established by Prince Albert I in 1910 to combine art, architecture and science.
Its historic building houses a spectacular multi-level aquarium with fascinating exhibits on ocean conservation, and
collections showcasing the history of marine exploration. From the panoramic rooftop terrace, enjoy breathtaking
views. (Moderate)
Royal car collection & Monte Carlo Casino. Start your day immersed in royal heritage at the Prince of Monaco's
Private Car Collection. Delight in an exceptional display of automotive history, from the stately elegance of a RollsRoyce to the audacious speed of a Ferrari. The collection showcases over 100 vehicles, including racing cars and
classic models that epitomize both engineering and grandeur.
Later, step into the Belle Époque splendor of the Casino of Monte-Carlo. Take a guided tour of the opulent interior,
including the magnificent Atrium, the lavish Café de la Rotonde and the grand gaming rooms. Experience the highstakes atmosphere and stunning architecture that have made this casino world-famous. Note: Daytime casino dress
code mandates “smart attire,” meaning no shorts, sleeveless tops, flip-flops or ripped jeans. (Mild)
Return to the ship and tuck in to a delectable lunch.
Free Time: This afternoon, spend free time on board. While relaxing on deck, you could take in the beautiful views,
read a book or focus on sailing — watch the dedicated crew hoisting sails, climbing the rigging and untying ropes. Go
for a treatment in the spa, work out in the fitness center or take in a lecture.

Day 7 | Marseille
After a tasty breakfast, disembark for your choice excursion.
Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions:
Aix-en-Provence. Delight in a scenic drive to Aix-en-Provence. Spend a leisurely day in the old capital of Provence, the
birthplace of Paul Cezanne, known as the “City of a Thousand Fountains.” Stroll one of the most beautiful streets in
France, the elegant Cours Mirabeau Avenue, lined with trees and 17th- and 18th-century mansions. Visit the elegant Hotel de Caumont, an art center within an 18th-century private mansion. Meander along winding, cobbled alleys.
Soak up the beautiful architecture, parks, gardens — and of course, fountains! — everywhere in this delightful city.
Enjoy an included group lunch. Afterward delight in free time to explore on your own, browsing the shops and
possibly stopping in the Musee Granet. Or simply do as the French do — find a sunny terrace and sip a favorite local
beverage called a panaché! (Mild)
Marseille city tour. On a panoramic tour, see the Old Port with its picturesque marina, guarded by the historic Fort
Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas. Pass the Byzantine-style Cathedrale de la Major, one of the largest churches in
France. It was built over 40 years, between 1852 and 1893, when Marseille was the most prominent port in France, a
vital stopover point for ships from around the world. Visit the hilltop Notre Dame de Garde and admire the panoramic
view of the city. Drive along the famous Corniche Kennedy, skirting the Mediterranean, past the Prado Beach and the
Longchamp Palace. See Canebière, Marseille’s most famous and historic street, lined with shops, hotels, cafés and
banks. Finally, wrap up at Le Panier, the historic hillside neighborhood. Return to the ship for lunch, or opt to dine on
your own in town. (Mild)
Free Time: Spend this afternoon at your leisure. You can return to the ship and enjoy time on board. Alternately you
can stay in Marseille to explore the Old Port area on your own.

Day 8 | St. Tropez
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, then spend the morning at leisure on board, taking advantage of the many amenities.
Tuck into a tasty lunch before disembarking for this afternoon’s excursion.
St. Tropez. A chic French Riviera destination, St. Tropez has drawn artists, filmmakers and the international elite for
years. The town is the epitome of modern luxury, yet retains an old-world charm. Famed for its beautiful beaches,
designer shops and vibrant nightlife, St. Tropez also boasts a charming old quarter. Beneath the orange and ochre
church bell tower, narrow streets lined with pastel-painted houses lead to a picturesque harbor.
Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions:
Gourmet walking tour. On a guided walking tour, discover the culinary delights of Saint-Tropez. Head to the iconic
Café Sénéquier, located with the perfect view of the harbor on one side and the village on the other. The patisserie
here was established in 1887, and the expanded café in 1930. Sénéquier is a local landmark known for its cherry-red
terraces and white nougat. Enjoy an outdoor tasting of the famous delicacy. Guess what? This region is also famous
for Tarte Tropézienne, a soft, orange-blossom-flavored brioche cake filled with a rich, creamy custard and topped
with pearl sugar. Taste this delicious dessert, which was created in St. Tropez. Finally, try a chocolate bear, a musthave treat from the famous French pastry chef Cyril Lignac. There will be free time following the tour to continue
your exploration of this famous port town. (Moderate)
Vineyards of St. Tropez. The area around St. Tropez is famous for its winemaking, and here, rosé is king. Rosés
account for over 80% of the wine produced in the wider Provence region (although the vineyards also produce
excellent red and white wines!). The combination of sunny Mediterranean climate, sea breezes and well-drained soil
provides an ideal environment for viticulture. The area is home to historic estates that have been producing wine for generations, as well as modern wineries that have innovated the local winemaking techniques. We will visit an
esteemed winery today and taste the fruits of their labors! (Mild)
Farewell Reception: Bid adieu to your fellow travelers at a Farewell Reception and Dinner on board the ship this
evening.

Day 9 | Nice | Disembark | Return to Home City
Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport for your return flight home. Arrive in your
home city and go through immigration and customs.


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