Nice in Depth

Enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate and ambiance of Nice, pearl of southern France’s Riviera or “Côte d’Azur” with its picturesque Italian-style old town and classy waterfront district along the Promenade des Anglais with its Belle Époque hotels and villas. We visit the city’s fine museums, devoted to artists like Chagall and Matisse and enjoy excursions to neighbouring attractions such as Monaco-Monte Carlo, Cannes, and the artist colony of St. Paul de Vence. Accommodation in a centrally located 4-star/first-class hotel. The tour will be escorted by Delia Berardi.

BOOKING INFORMATION

March 11 - 19, 2017

$2,950 from Toronto

based on double occupancy, plus approx $600.00 in airport taxes and related fees. "Land only" (from/to Nice Airport): $2,490.00 Single room supplement: $325.00 The above price allows for credit card payment. If paying by cheque, please deduct $125.00 from the tour cost.

DOWNLOAD PDF OF ITINERARY

*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.


ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday, March 11:

Evening departure from Toronto for Paris on Air France. Dinner and a light breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 - Sunday, March 12: (B, D)

Early morning arrival at Paris and short connecting flight to Nice, hub of the French Riviera or the “Côte d’Azur”, as the French like to say. Arrival in Nice, transfer to the highly rated 4-star/first class Hotel Masséna (www.hotel-massena-nice.com), centrally located on the cusp of the old town and the modern city, and only steps from the beach. Please note that the overwhelming majority of guest comments on Trip Advisor rate the Masséna as either “excellent” or “very good,” which are the two highest categories. Accommodation will be in spacious and comfortable superior rooms, a.k.a “privilege” rooms; we refer to the hotel’s website for details: http://www.hotel-massena-nice.com/English--Rooms.phtml. Free time to settle in and get some rest after your overnight flight. In late afternoon, we start our exploration of Nice with a walk along the impressive palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais beachfront boulevard, then we explore the picturesque old town (Vieux Nice), a labyrinth of squares and narrow streets and alleys, with colourful houses, shops, and restaurants. For transportation we use a little electrical tourist train, which will also take us to the hilltop “castle” for a magnificent view of the city, the “Bay of Angels”, and the blue Mediterranean. Return to the area of the hotel
following the tour for a welcome drink and dinner in a typical restaurant.

All rooms in the Hotel Masséna Nice were completely renovated in 2014 and feature air-conditioning; Wi-Fi internet access; flat-screen television with international channels; private bathrooms with hairdryer; minibar; tray with kettle and complimentary tea, coffee and herbal teas; a safe; iron and ironing board on request. 

Day 3 - Monday, March 13: (B, D)

After breakfast we first explore the flower market of the Cours Saleya, then visit the Cimiez district on a hill overlooking Nice. This used to be an important Roman town, as attested by the ruins of ancient baths as well as an arena. Visits to the Archaeological Museum and the neighbouring Villa des Arènes, home of an impressive museum devoted to the work of Henri Matisse, who lived here and is buried in the Cimiez cemetery. This afternoon we visit the Marc Chagall museum, featuring a group of paintings and a mosaic with a “Biblical Message”, housed in a bright, modern building on a hill overlooking the city. Dinner in a restaurant of the old town. 

Day 4 - Tuesday, March 14: (B, L)

Full-day excursion to the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. We motor to Prince Rainier’s fiefdom via the scenic coastal road, the “Basse Corniche”, and our visit will include sights such as Fontvieille Park with the delightful Princess Grace rose garden, the yacht harbour, the old town of Monaco with the Palace, the Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum, and of course the mainland district of Monte Carlo, featuring the world-famous Casino. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Return via the spectacular mountain road, with a stop in the hilltop town of Eze to visit the workshop of a perfume producer. 

Day 5 - Wednesday, March 15: (B)

This morning we tour the neighbouring coastal communities of Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat, with visits to Villa Kerylos, a reconstructed Greek villa, and the Ephrussi de Rotschild Foundation, a museum with a superb collection of ancient furniture, porcelain, and tapestries, surrounded by acres of magnificent gardens. Afternoon at leisure in Nice.

Day 6 - Thursday, March 16: (B)

Full-day excursion into the mountainous hinterland of the Côte d’Azur. Our first stop is St. Paul-de-Vence, a picturesque fortified Provencal village and famous artist colony; we explore the village, then head for the Maeght Foundation, a stunning, ultra-modern art gallery by Catalan architect Jose Luis Sert, surrounded by wonderful gardens and featuring creations of great modern masters such as Sert’s friend Miro, Braque, Kandinsky, Calder, Zadkine...In the afternoon we discover the attractions of the river valley known as the “Gorges du Loup”, visit Florian the renowned candy factory before returning to Nice via the jet-set resort of Cannes. 

Day 7 - Friday, March 17: (B)

This morning is at leisure in Nice. You may want to take the train to the Italian border town of Ventimiglia for shopping at their renowned outdoor market and enjoy lunch in one of the neighbouring trattorias. In the afternoon in Nice we visit the Fine Arts Museum (Musee des Beaux-Arts), featuring art of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, by masters such as; Monet, Sisley, Dufy, and Van Dongen. The rest of the day is free for shopping or other individual activities.

Day 8 - Saturday, March 18: (B, D)

This day is free for shopping or other individual activities, last minute souvenir hunting, or packing. Art lovers may want to head for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) or perhaps the Museum of Asian Art. This evening “Au Revoir” dinner in a typical restaurant

Day 9 - Sunday, March 19: (B)

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport and return flight to Toronto, via Amsterdam on KLM.

ITINERARY PDF

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INCLUDED

- Outbound flights Toronto/Paris/Nice on Air France, return flight Nice/Amsterdam/Toronto on KLM; - Accommodation based on double occupancy in the 4-star/first-class Hotel Masséna; the single room supplement is $325.00; - Breakfast daily and a total of four 3-course dinners or lunches; - Overland transportation by private coach; - All sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary, including admission to museums and monuments mentioned; - Services of a Pauwels Travel tour escort. (Meals included: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

NOT INCLUDED

- All items of a personal nature; - Airport taxes and airline imposed surcharges, approx. $600.00 but subject to change - Beverages with dinners, and meals other than those outlined above; - A gratuity for the coach driver(s), normally $30 CAD or equivalent in local currency; - Travel Insurance, available upon request.

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