Paris

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to settle in and relax before heading out to explore the streets near your accommodation before dinner. Paris is alive and thriving with activity, day and night. It’s the perfect city to indulge in a little shopping, with stores like Galarie Lafayette and Printemps, some of the best local designers around, and small boutique shops offering unique high-quality wares like Samaritaine, Bon Marché… Colourful boulevards and historic monuments invite visitors to stroll through the downtown, while narrow alleys and cozy cafes create a romantic atmosphere. For art lovers, spending time at Paris’ smaller museums is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as the city has one of the most impressive art collections in the world. Alternatively, lazing around in the parks or at a sidewalk café on a sunny day is simply blissful.

In the morning, exploration of the Trocadero Esplanade and the Eiffel Tower. Start at the Trocadero to see its statues, monuments, and city views. Continue to the Iron Lady, the Eiffel Tower herself, with skip-the-line tickets, giving you the most time to visit both floors and take in the incredible views from the top. In the afternoon, visit Montmartre. You can see this entirely white landmark from all parts of Paris. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a masterpiece of grace and grandeur. Built at the end of the 19th century in the Romano-Byzantine style, it is dedicated to the heart of Christ and is an important place of worship in the capital. It houses the largest mosaic in France, measuring no less than 480 m²! Perched on the Butte (hill) Montmartre, the basilica is accessible by funicular from the Place Saint-Pierre or via the lawns and steps from the little public garden ‘Square Louise Michel’. To finish your day, you can admire the iconic sights of Paris on a relaxing Seine River cruise by night.

Start your day by visiting Notre Dame de Paris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Notre Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Begun in 1163 and completed in 1345, the cathedral is renowned for its soaring spires, stained glass windows, and flying buttresses. Continue with a tour of Le Marais, to explore the secret cafés and taste the best baked goods and pastries in the city. Spend two hours sampling crêpes, crème brûlée, croissant, espresso, chocolates, macarons, and more. Visit the city’s oldest food market, the Marché des Enfants Rouges, and try your hand at haggling for your favorite treat. As you walk along, learn about world-famous pastry chefs: Poîlane, Jean-Paul Hévin, Jacques Genin, Pierre Hermé, and others. In the afternoon, it’s time to explore the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum. Skip the lines and head right to the classics, as well as your personal favorites. Get up close to the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, then get some fresh air at the Tuileries Garden.

In the morning, head outside of the big city to the resplendent Chateau de Versailles. Take the train there, then head directly inside with your skip-the-line access to spend a few hours exploring the palace and grounds. Travel back in time to past centuries as you discover what life was like living in the splendor of the court of the King Louis XIV and Queen Marie-Antoinette. You will walk you from hall to gilded galleries, pointing out ornately painted ceilings, the Hall of Mirrors, and the private royal apartments. After touring the castle, head outside to the manicured gardens and lawns, where a dazzling display of flowers and exotic plants delight visitors of all ages. Enjoy lunch near the castle, then take the train back to Paris. In the evening, explore the Champs Elysees and the majestic Arc de Triomphe.

Start the morning with a full-day tour of Chateau de Chambord or Disneyland. Your stop is Chambord, whose French Renaissance construction dates back to the early 16th century. This extravagant chateau is one of France’s most famous and recognizable, thanks to its stately facade and sprawling grounds. Take the grand double spiral staircase to the second floor to see the royal apartments of François I and Louis XIV. During its heyday, the chateau and nearby forests were used for royal hunts and other pleasure activities. Continue up to the terraces, where views of the surrounding landscape offer a glimpse into the charmed lives of the castle’s royals. Or experience a day trip in Disneyland. It will be an opportunity for you to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and their friends. Many other Characters who have marked the history of animation will join them including the Genie from Aladdin, Princess Rapunzel, or Toy Story…. After the tour, return to your hotel in Paris or stay a night in Disneyland or Chambord. 

Arrive at Nice Airport, then transfer to your centrally located hotel. Nice sits at the northern end of the French Riviera, near the border with Italy. Nicknamed Nissa La Bella (“Nice the Beautiful”) for its artistic spirit, grand plazas and crescent-shaped pebble beaches, Nice is inarguably the French Riviera’s most popular city. The narrow cobblestone streets of its colorful old town, the Vieille Ville, are lined with pastel-colored buildings and a plethora of shops selling everything from soap to wine. Spend the day exploring the city on your own. Pick from the following options to make the most of your time in the coastal town: • Explore the Greek quarter, which dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks of the Massalia region around 350 BCE. • See the remains of the Roman amphitheater and an area in the historic Cimiez neighborhood. • While in the Cimiez neighborhood, walk around to see two other notable landmarks: the opulent Excelsior Régina Palace, where Queen Victoria of England used to spend her summers, and the Musée Matisse, a museum showcasing the works of the expressionist master Henri Matisse. • Visit the ornate 20th-century St.Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, which was built by the Royal Family for the Russian community of the French Riviera. • Go for a stroll along the quays of Port Lympia and take in views of the water. • End your day with a stop at the historic Negresco Hotel, where you can enjoy an aperitif in style and make a toast to your very own slice of the Belle Époque.

Start your full-day tour of the coast with a drive to Cannes. Spend the morning exploring the city, starting at the Old Port in the heart of the city. Although it lost some of its nautical importance following the construction of the new and bigger Port Canto, the old port still welcomes yachts and boats with traditional rigging. The port marks the entrance to the Suquet, the oldest quarter, and the historic center of Cannes. Built on a hill, the Suquet invites you for a stroll along its steep medieval streets as you wander to the top viewpoints. Continue to Antibes, where you’ll visit a typical Provençal market and wander the streets of the old town. The town is also famous for the Picasso Museum, which chronicles Picasso’s 1946 stay in the Château Grimaldi and features the paintings, drawings, and ceramics which he produced during his time there. Other stops today include the hill-top villages of Provence and Saint-Paul de Vence. Both towns boast exceptional culinary treats: Provençal stew, aioli, anchoïade, herbes de Provence, garlic, basil, olive oil, truffle, figs, honey, and of course the ever-present wine. In Saint-Paul de Vence, choose from one of two tour options: a wine tasting with experts or a private guided tour of the Folon Chapel and the Maeght Foundation. Visit the keep, collegiate church, and ramparts, then head to the Matisse Chapel in Vence. Return to Nice in the evening.

In the morning make your way to Monaco. Monaco is one of the world’s smallest countries and is considered a city-state. Visit the famous Monte Carlo district with its legendary casino and see Prince Rainier’s car collection, then continue to the Rock of Monaco (Rocher de Monaco in French.) This is the location of the town’s oldest neighborhood, the medieval Old Town. From here, the views of the sunny coast are unparalleled. Learn about this community’s history and anecdotes about the dynasty that has reigned there for decades. From here continue to the medieval village of Eze, which perches high above the Mediterranean sea. Thanks to its location and history, it’s a popular destination with painters and artists. Explore the famous Chapelle Sainte-Croix and the ruins of the ancient castle, which allude to the city’s strategic location on the coast. Stroll through the town’s peaceful gardens and soak in the sunshine. If you have time, you can also visit Menton, the“Pearl of France,” located near the Italian border, to explore its Old Town with narrow streets, photogenic squares, and brightly colored warm buildings. At the end of the day, return to Nice.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. A bientôt!