Our Trips » France

Departure Times

Highlights

Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Eze, Antibes are just a few of the legendary hot spots that the French Riviera has to offer in this land of the rich and famous! The beaches, supercars, super yachts, famous casinos, and surrounding scenery will have you living like a high roller! And whether gambling at the Casino de Monte Carlo, or out at one of Nice’s bars or clubs at night, pay special attention to the people around you because you never know what celebrity you might be able to catch of glimpse of!

In February travelers from all over the world descend upon Nice to experience Carnival on the French Riviera! Carnival in Nice, France is one of world’s great carnivals along with Rio de Janeiro and Venice! The festive atmosphere features parades and parties during the day and night and the city is especially alive during its famous Saturday night parade! 

Itinerary

Thursday - Day 1 Arrival on your own, room check-in available from 3pm (you will be sent exact instructions on how to arrive). Activities start from Friday morning.

*Transportation Package - Depart Florence/Rome with approx. midnight-1am arrival to Nice.

Friday - Day 2 Morning departure (approx. 10am) for guided walking tour of Nice's beautiful old town and see why this city is referred to as "Nissa La Bella". We'll start at Place Massena and venture into the charming streets of old town and its pastel colored buidlings, boutiques & small shops and fragrant fromageries, boulangeries and various eateries. Along the way you'll see highlights including the Opera House of Nice, Palais de Justice, Place Rossetti, Castle Hill, Cours Saleya and the flower market and more, along with some great tips for the best food and drink in Nice! Tour lasts approx. 2 hours and you'll have a free afternoon to enjoy the city, the beach or venture to a nearby Riviera towns like Cannes & Antibes. Friday night is a great night to experience Nice's pulsing old town as it features great restaurants, and a ton of live music bars, clubs, and the beautiful beachfront view along the palm tree lined Promenade des Anglais.

*During your free afternoon, it's a great opportunity to go to Cannes and Antibes to hit the beach, check out the popular French markets, museums, or spend the day in cities filled with world class shopping and seaside cafes! Antibes is famous for its Picasso museum, charming old town and market, and also being home to some of the world’s largest privately owned yachts in its port (yes, billionaires keep their yachts here)! Just a few minutes from Antibes is the beautiful, and ritzy, town of Cannes which is famous for its annual film festival, great shopping and food, and also it’s long golden, sandy beach along the famous Croisette pedestrian promenade. You'll receive detailed information on doing these easy side trips for those that want.

Saturday - Day 3 Morning departure (approx. 10am) for Included trip to the Principality of Monaco and the famous city of Monte Carlo! We’ll have an in depth walking tour of this glamorous seaside city seeing highlights like the royal palace, national cathedral (where Princess Grace’s tomb is), the port of Monaco lined with its amazing collection of yachts, and the famous Casino de Monte Carlo (you’ll have the opportunity to try and strike it rich at the casino!). Trip ends mid-afternoon, with free rest of the day and night.  Saturday night in Nice it’s party time for the Carnival’s famous night parade!   The several hour parade and entertainment takes place next to Nice's old town at Place Massena and is definitely something to experience as it's one of Europe's largest carnivals! 

Sunday - Day 4  Free day and departure on your own (if you have a later departure you can leave your bags with reception at the hostel).   For those with a later departure, you can go enjoy Nice's old town, the Sunday flower market, or the beach. Or it's a great opportunity if you want to explore one of the nearby seaside towns of the Riviera that you didn't get to on Friday or Saturday.

**Transportation Package - Early afternoon (approx. 1pm) departure back to Florence//Rome with evening arrival (approx. 9pm Florence, midnight Rome).

***Trip Style - This is an independent trip ideal for groups of friends, family, couples, or even for an independent-minded solo traveler. It is designed as a travel & destination package, not solely as a "group trip". You will be on group tours/activities with other travelers and in a room with other travelers if you book the "shared dorm hostel" package (if you book the "private" room package then you of course will be in your own private room). You will however, have independent time between the guided group tours/activities to explore on your own and do as you please, and will receive a detailed info packet by email with numerous recommendations for additional group activities or tours (beyond what is included), sights/museums and food/drink/nightlife info, etc. It's a great balance between guided & included tours/activities and free time so that you have plenty of time on your own to do what you want.