Hafen
Menton

Explore the history, charm and flavours of Liguria during this scenic, half-day sightseeing tour of a beautifully preserved medieval village.

Menton, Liguria, Dolceacqua, Doria Castle, Nervia River, Terra Quarter, Borgo Quarter

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Ligurian village of Dolceacqua, one of the most important medieval villages in the Nervia Valley. Located at the border with France, the beautifully preserved medieval town of Dolceacqua continues to marvel visitors with its scenic bridges and small houses that circle the hilltop Doria Castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries. The Nervia River divides Dolceacqua into two parts; 'Terra,' at the foot of the Doria Castle, and 'Borgo,' situated on the opposite bank of the river along the road that climbs up the valley.

Guided Walking Tour, Monet's Bridge, Terra Quarter, Free Time, Shopping

Upon arrival in Dolceacqua, take a guided walking tour of the village. Along the way, enjoy the view of the bridge that Claude Monet painted in 1884 and defined as 'a jewel of lightness'; it is one of the most picturesque and famous views of the Ligurian interior. From here, your stroll continues through the Terra Quarter. To this day, the Terra Quarter maintains its medieval atmosphere intact and offers many picturesque spots. Following your guided tour, some free time is made available for shopping and independent exploration.

Gajaudo Winery, Tasting of Rossese di Dolceacqua, Local Specialities

Next, re-board your coach and proceed for a visit to the Gajuado Winery. Dolceacqua is famous for its production of Rossese di Dolceacqua, among the most prized and famous red wines of Italy, and a favourite of Napoleon and Pope Julius III. This DOC ruby red wine features a typical soft, aromatic and sweet taste, and has a minimum alcoholic strength of 12.5 degrees; when the alcoholic strength reaches 13 degrees or more, it is named 'Superiore'. During your visit, enjoy a tasting of three different Rossess di Dolceacqua wines accompanied by local specialities. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Who hasn't dreamed of going for a beautiful scenic drive in a splendid vintage car.

The cars, depending on the model selected at the time of confirmation, will accommodate a maximum of 2 passengers and are chauffeur driven.

From Menton pier, you will follow the path of Princess Grace (the road where the movie to catch a thief was filmed on the Corniche), the Botanic Garden opened in 1984 by Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife Princess Grace. There is a large bronze statue of Princess Grace in the garden as well as both English and Mediterranean plants and flowers. Rose gardens abound and there are olive trees that are over 100 years old. View the private domaine in Roc Angel and unfortunately the road curve where Princess Grace died. Drive to Place du Casino for a photo stop.

You may personalize your itinerary with your driver within the time allowed, we suggest however to focus on the spectacular "corniche" roads overlooking the coast and offering breathtaking vistas while enjoying a glass of Champagne.

Experience the exquisite beauty of the French Riviera during this picturesque sightseeing drive through the Grande, Middle, and Lower Corniches. Between Nice and Menton the pine-forested Alpes drop precipitously to the sea, creating one of the most dramatic and inspiring views in Europe. Carved into the mountainside are three roads known as the Corniches.

Depart the pier via coach for a scenic sightseeing drive through the French Riviera.

Eze

Continue along the Middle, or 'Moyenne' Corniche for scenic views that extend to the north and village of Eze, where a comfort stop is made before continuing on to Nice. En route, admire stunning views of Beaulieu, Cap Ferrat and Villefranche.

Nice

Upon arrival in Nice, take a brief orientation tour along the Promenade des Anglais and past some of the town's beautiful squares. Following your orientation tour, continue on with the return drive to Monte Carlo via the Corniche Inférieure, or Lower Corniche, which runs along the foot of the mountain slopes and follows the coastal road.  

Take in splendid vistas of picturesque Villefranche and a charming fishing village en route to the ship.

Mix the medieval pleasures of the village of Roquebrune Cap Martin with the beauty and bustle of Menton.

Medieval Village of Roquebrune

Leaving the port, head to the beautiful hill top medieval village of Roquebrune, clinging to the rocky outcropping on the mountainside. Due to its geographical location, and its upmarket atmosphere, It makes for the perfect place to visit. Visit the old Castle Chateau also called Chateau GRIMALDI. The castle dates back to around 970 and was originally built to defend the western border. The scenery is just breath taking. You will get to see the sea but also all the way to Monaco or the Cap Martin!

In 1355, Roccabruna as it was known then, fell into the hands of the Grimaldi family of Monaco where it remained for almost five centuries until 1793. It became part of the French territory for the first time. Between 1814 and 1861 the region was claimed by Monaco, Italy and France. This has led to the beautiful mixture of Mediterranean styles which can be seen in the architecture and design of the village. Despite gaining its freedom from Monaco in 1861, the village is only a short distance from the border of the Principality.

Menton

Driving on the Italian coast you will reach the town of Menton. This village is the last one before arriving at the Italian border. For centuries; it formed the border between Provence and Genoa, as part of Monaco. It has been French ever since the plebiscite of 1860, when it soon became a fashionable tourist centre with grand mansions and gardens. Its temperate Mediterranean climate is especially favorable to the citrus industry, with which it is strongly identified. Discover this tiny fishing village twinned with Laguna Beach and is as sunny as its Californian counterpart is. Stroll the promenade that snakes around the charming little harbor, savoring the many shops and enjoy some free time. Then you can stay in town or walk back to the pier.

From the pier, start the 5-minute drive towards the Central market of what is considered ''the Pearl of France'' : Menton.

Central Market and its small producers

Joined by a member of the Mirazur team, learn more about the small producers working closely with the restaurant. An immersive way to learn  about the richness of the area and its beautiful products. From the cheesemaker to the tastiest vegetables of the season, they will share with you a part of their secret.

(On Monday the market visit is replaced by a visit of one of the gardens with an expert)

Mitron Bakery, sustainable and artisanal bakery of Chef Mauro Colagreco

Visit Mitron Bakery and its selection of breads made from ancient wheat flour cultivated in sustainable, controlled, certified organic and 100% natural agriculture. Discover the different varieties of wheat milled daily at our stone mill in Menton to preserve the freshness of the natural flour. Breads are lively, sustainable and above all exclusive and delicious, combining different textures, colors and tastes. Enjoy a tasting of the breads, local pastries and the specialties of the bakery directly at the boutique.

(On Monday, the bakery visit is replaced by a visit of one of the gardens with an expert)

Discover the way of thinking of Mirazur, through a walk in one of their biodynamic gardens

With five gardens at different heights, from the sea up to the mountains of the Alpes Maritime, .Mirazur's 100% biodynamic vegetable gardens are at the core of the restaurant and its cuisine. Building on the original gardens, the team has incorporated nearby orchard space. Alongside the 39 tomato varieties and the famous lemons of Menton, gardeners are busy reevaluating other forgotten crops while identifying the best land and soil for each species. The project, now named Sanctuaries del Mirazur, has developed into a year-round, open air research workshop celebrating the myriad diversity of the region.

Experience the creativity of Michelin three-star Mirazur inside its private tasting room

Depending on the season of your arrival, you will be immersed in one of the four experiences: Root Universe, Leaf Universe, Flower Universe or Fruit Universe. Travel through a well-defined sensory journey centered around bold dishes, primarily sourced from the Mirazur gardens. These four universes are the common thread of each of the experiences and come together with the elements already present in the chef's cuisine: seafood from local and responsible fishing; meat from selected farms; and ingredients from the region's historical producers and market gardeners.

Be one of the happy few to discover Chef Mauro Colagreco's cuisine and his restaurant Mirazur, one of the best in the world. Enter in the creativity of Mirazur through a 9 courses menu with wine pairing. The dishes and the view over the Mediterranean will make you enter in the surrounding nature of the French Riviera. In the private tasting kitchen you will be able to admire the ballet of the cooks, choose your own musique or even enter in the wine cellar of Mirazur.

A motivated and inspiring team

Meet and get to know the motivated and inspiring team of Mirazur. Led by common vision and commitments with their special touch for the art of living, they will make you discover their vision of the French Riviera. Meet head chef Luca Mattioli, and discover all the secret he knows about the small producers of the area. Discuss with Vincent or Eva, Mirazur's guest relations, what not to miss in your journey around the Riviera. Learn from Silvina and her team in the Mirazur gardens to understand deeper the philosophy and the way of living of Mirazur.

About Chef Mauro Colagreco

From his native Argentina to the French Riviera, Colagreco's journey has always been about passion and discovery. His daring and vision are reflected in a personal cuisine that transcends the seasons, always with instinct and generosity. With the strong links he has forged with nature, is committed to protect our Earth and develops a "Circular Gastronomy" in the respect of nature's cycle. He has been able to break the codes and is working relentlessly to participate in the environmental transition. In addition to his many food world accolades, at the end of 2022, Colagreco was the first chef nominated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.

Explore Menton at your leisure during a full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Menton at your leisure during a Half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Menton at your leisure during a full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Menton at your leisure during a Half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Discover the history of Monaco and the Mediterranean from above-and-below sea level during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing tour.

Monte Carlo, Prince's Palace, Gardens, Cathedral

Meet your guide at the pier and depart for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Monaco. From the parking, reach via escalator and elevator the upper part of the rock. Upon arrival, begin your short walking tour of Monaco. Enter the world of the Grimaldi family, where the Prince's Palace stands, then pass through the Gardens and into the Cathedral where Princess Grace is buried.

Old Town, Palace Square, Grand Prix Racetrack, Oceanographic Museum

From here, stroll through the maze of small, narrow streets of the Old Town, which are lined with souvenir shops and small restaurants, en route to the Palace Square. Upon arrival, take in a spectacular view over the Fontvieille district, part of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix racetrack and Monte Carlo Sporting Club in the distance. Leaving the Palace Square, stroll over to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Musée Océanographique), one of the most renowned marine science centers in the world. Founded by Prince Albert l and under the direction of Jacques-Yves Cousteau for many years, the Oceanographic Museum was built on the side of The Rock and overlooks the sea.

Oceanographic Artefacts, Sailing Equipment, Aquariums, Marine Life Exhibitions, Free Time

This state-of-the-art museum and research facility represents the culmination of a century's worth of oceanography, and is dedicated to protecting the seas and oceans of the world. Explore the magnificent Mediterranean ecosystem and its coral reef through fascinating collections of natural history, oceanographic artefacts, model ships, sailing equipment, and marine life exhibitions in the aquarium. Included are a shark lagoon, turtle island, 4,000 species of fish, and 200 families of invertebrates, along with rare species of starfish, jellyfish, seahorses, and urchins. Following a guided tour of the museum and some free time in the Old Town, commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover one of Cote d'Azurs's most spectacular and renowned villas during this scenic visit to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild ending with a coffee or tea accompanied by a home made pastry in the Tea Room.

Depart the pier via coach for the 60-minute drive to St. Jean Cap Ferrat.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

One of the pearls of the French Riviera, this elegant seaside resort is renowned throughout the world for its enchanting peninsula, which can be seen along many pedestrian pathways. Part of this delightful panorama is the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a magnificent Italian-style villa that was designed by the Baroness of Rothschild to house her collection of treasures. Upon arrival at the villa, proceed to the garden area, which features several individual gardens designed in seven different styles and splendid views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Some time is made available here for you to take a pleasant stroll through the gardens, before indulging in a coffee or tea accompanied by a home made pastry in the Tea Room.

Afterwards re-board your coach for the 60-minute return drive to the pier.