September 7 - 15, 2008
A Taste Of  The Italian Riviera

Only: $2999.00* per person
Our "Exclusive" Tour:

All Sightseeing Included - No   Optional Tours To Purchase
  Over $300 Value!

5 Star Luxury Hotels!
  San Remo - Royal Hotel
  Rapallo- Excelsior Palce

Roundtrip air from JFK

12 Meals:
  Daily Breakfast
  Five Dinners with wine   including a Farewell dinner
  in San Remo

Guided tour of San Remo   with visit to the local market,   the Casino, and the Russian   Orthodox Church

• Guided tour of the historic   city of Dolceauqua

• Guided tour of Monte Carlo

• Guided tour of Nice

• Guided tour of Cannes

Tour an olive oil factory in   Liguria's Oneglia

• Tour a perfume factory in   Provence's Gras

• Full day boat excursion to   Cinque Terre

• Full day boat excursion to   Portofino

• Deluxe motorcoach & boat   transportation

• Professional tour guide   throughout

Roundtrip airport/hotel   transfers

Roundtrip airfare


    Admire the beauty of seascapes and mountains overlooking the sea on this journey to the region of Liguria, known as the Italian Riviera. Discover the seaside villages of Portofino, Cinque Terre and San Remo intertwined on cliffs and coves which will leave you breathless. Continue west to one of the most famous resort areas in the world, the French Riviera. Here you will visit Monaco, Nice and Cannes along the Mediterranean coast of the Alpes-Maritimes. It is where the Romans first expanded their empire and is now celebrated for its historical treasures, natural beauty, wonderful cuisines and fabulous holiday destinations. French & Italian culture, history, food, nature, art, wine, and hospitality all await you…………
 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart for – Milan

Day 2: Milan/San Remo:
Upon arrival you will be met by your Tour Escort. Transfer to your hotel in San Remo. The region of Liguria is made up of a thin coastal strip nestling at the foot of vine-covered mountains. Here pastel-colored houses bask in the Mediterranean sun, while their gardens, enhanced by the mild climate, are a riot of colorful plants. San Remo is a pleasant resort of faded elegance where late 19th century aristocrats first discovered the pleasures of the Italian Riviera. Today, San Remo still continues to charm visitors with its pleasant mild climate, beautiful, almost tropical flowers, music festivals and casino. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (Dinner)

Day 3: San Remo/Monte Carlo/San Remo:
After breakfast enjoy a guided tour of San Remo. Start your tour with a visit of the local market and see the Casino, a marvelous symbol
of art nouveau architecture. See San Basilo, an ornate onion-domed Russian Orthodox Church, a legacy of visiting Russian Nobles. In the afternoon, depart for Monaco’s glamorous Monte Carlo. Set on the “Cote d’Azur”, Monte Carlo offers virtually every diversion imaginable: water sports, gambling, fine dining, lively nightlife and shopping, as well as the passing parade of Europe’s rich and famous. Free time
to soak in the city’s grandeur before returning to your hotel in San Remo. (Breakfast)

Day 4: San Remo/Nice/Cannes/San Remo:
After breakfast depart for a full-day excursion to the French Riviera. The first stop is Nice, “the Queen of the French Riviera”, to visit the cathedral and the old city. Continue on to Cannes, famous for its star-studded film festival and pleasure destination for celebrities and dignitaries who come from all over the world to relax on its beaches. Drive through Provence’s perfume capital of Gras and enjoy a visit to a perfume factory. Tonight dinner is at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: San Remo/Dolceacqua/San Remo:
The morning is at leisure for independent activities and to enjoy the beauties of this quaint resort town. In the afternoon, depart for an excursion to the nearby historic medieval town of Dolceacqua. The surrounding hills are filled with vineyards producing the local, robust red wine known as “Rossese or vino di Dolceaqua”, or “wine of sweet water”. Tonight dinner is at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: San Remo/Oneglia/Rapallo:
After breakfast, depart for Rapallo. En route, stop in Oneglia to visit a typical olive oil factory. Ligurian olive oil has a strong character and it is one of the main ingredients of one of the regional specialties: pesto, a popular pasta sauce made with basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic and olive oil. Continue to Rapallo, a seaside resort set on the picturesque Eastern Riviera di Levante. Known by historians as the place where two treaties were signed after World War I, Rapallo has also been known for its climate that made it over the years the winter residence of preference for most of the affluent Italians living in the North West of Italy. Its proximity to the coast makes for mild winters where people can enjoy easy strolls on the sunny promenade and the golfers can enjoy one of the oldest courses in Italy.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Rapallo/Cinque Terre/Rapallo:
After breakfast depart for a full-day excursion to Cinque Terre, a stretch of rocky coastline on the Riviera di Levante. The name refers to five self-contained villages, which seem to dramatically cling to the very edge of vertiginous cliffs. They were once only accessible by sea and today there is still no road that links them all. An ancient footpath known as Sentiero Azzurro follows the coast, joining the villages and offering wonderful views of the distinctive green terraced vineyards that produce the local dry white wines. Drive to Portovenere and continue by a catamaran boat (weather permitting) to Riomaggiore. After a brief visit, continue by a catamaran passing the towns of Manarolo and Vernazza. Stop in Monterosso, the largest village, for a visit and free time to explore on your own. Return to Rapallo in the late afternoon. (Breakfast)

Day 8: Rapallo/Portofino/Rapallo:
After breakfast sail (weather permitting) to lovely Portofino. Nestled at the base of steep cliffs and covered in cypress and olive trees, this tiny resort and former fishing village is the most exclusive harbor and resort town in Italy, crammed with the yachts of the wealthy. After a short visit of the town, enjoy free time to explore the narrow streets on your own or just relax in one of the elegant cafes. Tonight enjoy the Farewell Dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: Rapallo/Milan/USA: After breakfast it's time to say Ciao to Italy and transfer to Milan Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)