The Côte d’Azur and Monaco

Depart Home City/Nice, France

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

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  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 mid-19th 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  Hospitality Desk stands ready with sightseeing and dining recommendations.

Nice |Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | 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.

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).

Nice | Antibes | Embark Sea Cloud Spirit

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!

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Enjoy a delicious breakfast this morning (and every morning on board!) before disembarking for your choice excursion.

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 Rolls-Royce 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 high-stakes 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.

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.

St. Tropez, France

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 must-have 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.

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.