Nice, Monaco and Portofino

• Experience France's Cote d'Azur, Monaco and the Italian Riviera on a tour that features 3 nights at the deluxe Maison Albar-Le Victoria hotel and a 4-night cruise aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit, an exclusively chartered, three-masted sailing yacht.
• Sail round-trip Nice to the elite Italian Riviera cities of San Remo and Portofino, then back through opulent Monte Carlo, Monaco.
• Special guest speaker Jess Walter, award-winning author.
• Specially arranged private boat cruise to the idyllic village of San Fruttuoso and charming Camogli.
• Two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the storied Riviera resort city of Nice and Vieux Nice, its historical old town: and Grasse, considered the birthplace of the modern perfumery.
• Included meals | 3 receptions, 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners.

Depart home city for Nice, France.

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 Gohagan & Company representative.

As your luggage is securely transferred to the hotel, you will embark on a panoramic tour of Nice.

Welcome to Nice, an 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. (Activity Level: Mild)

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.

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.

Join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at the hotel this evening. Make your own plans for dinner. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with sightseeing and dining recommendations.

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. (Activity Level: Moderate)

Enjoy exploring Antibes on your own and finding a good spot for lunch.

Visit this early 20th-century castle, set in a vineyard. 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. (Activity Level: Moderate) 

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.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions. (Please make your selection on the Reservation Form that follows.)

• St. 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. (Activity Level: 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. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel. (Activity Level: Mild)

This afternoon, you will have time to explore Nice at your own pace. Find a spot for dinner

Visit the captivating Marc Chagall National Museum, which contains the largest public collection of Chagall’s work, including paintings, stained glass and a large mosaic. These works all ponder religious and spiritual themes. The artist had input into the unusual design of both the museum and its gardens, and visited them often before he died. (Activity Level: Mild)

Enjoy free time in Nice’s Old Town exploring the shops and cafes, and make your own plans for lunch.

This afternoon, 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 lifeboat drill, followed by the first of many delicious dinners on board.

Wake this morning to a delicious breakfast and stunning views. Disembark for your chosen excursion.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose ONE of the following included excursions. (Please make your selection on the Reservation Form that follows.)

• San Remo. Visit the eye-popping “City of Flowers,” filled with lush greenery and perched above the blue Mediterranean. On a guided walking tour, explore the charming Old Town. Here the narrow, wandering medieval streets seem to follow the intersecting pattern of a pinecone’s scales, giving the area its name: La Pigna. Take in the colorful houses, leafy squares and lovely piazzas. Stop in the historic Villa Nobel; tour the gardens and posh 19th-century villa where Alfred Nobel lived for many years. Enjoy some free time. (Activity Level: Active)

• Riviera di Ponente Drive. While the name of this road translates to “Coast of the Setting Sun”— at any time of day, the views are spectacular. During the drive, take in vistas of the Mediterranean Sea edged by pastel-colored villas, olive groves, lemon orchards and vineyards. Stop to explore the seaside town of Ventimiglia, then head inland to visit Dolceaqua, a charming medieval village set among forested hills. The distinctive stone bridge and ruined castle inspired Monet to paint his famous “Castle at Dolceaqua.” Sample a glass of the local Rossese wine before heading back to the ship. (Activity Level: Moderate)

As the ship departs San Remo, tuck into a delectable lunch on board.

Spend this afternoon at your leisure. 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. Accompanying you on your journey will be award-winning writer Jess Walter, author of the bestselling “Beautiful Ruins,” set in an Italian coastal town much like Portofino, our destination as we sail this afternoon.

Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening.

This morning, the ship arrives in gorgeous Portofino. After breakfast, disembark for an unforgettable private boat cruise.

Depart Portofino by private boat for a visit to San Fruttuoso. This picturesque village is not connected to any main roads and therefore is only accessible by boat or on foot. San Fruttuoso, an oft-overlooked gem, sits on a hillside above a cove where the blue Mediterranean waters lap a lovely little beach. Visit the stone Benedictine Abbey, built by Greek monks in the 10th century, with its Torre Doria added on in 1562. This stone watchtower was built to protect residents from menacing Barbary pirates, who threatened the coast. (Activity Level: Moderate)

Sail on to the charming fishing village of Camogli, renowned for its pastel-colored palazzi and houses stacked up along the coastline. In the mid-1800s, the town — known as the City of a Thousand White Sailing Ships — was esteemed for its powerful merchant navy, including a fleet of tall ships. Visit the Gio Bono Ferrari Maritime Museum, a fascinating repository of models — including ships in bottles — navigational instruments, nautical book volumes and paintings from the town’s sailing history. Meander along the promenade lined with cafés and shops, and explore the charming caruggi, the Italian name for winding side streets. (Activity Level: Moderate)

Return to the ship for lunch on board, or make your own plans for lunch in Portofino, if you wish.

This afternoon and evening, spend free time exploring Portofino. This picturesque village was originally named Portus Delphini (Dolphin Harbor), which evolved into Portofino. Nowadays, the beautiful harbor is filled with super-yachts, and the tiny, cobbled streets boast high-end boutiques. Despite being the filming location for many movies, the village retains its natural charm. Climb the steps from the harbor to the Fort of St. George, built in the mid-1500s, and visit the fort and nearby St. George’s church. From here, look across the tree-dotted hillsides and down to the gorgeous cove below. You might also stroll to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with panoramic views of the town and the sea. Or choose a café with a table near the water’s edge and watch the world go by—no matter what you choose, the views will be unforgettable!

Return to the ship for a delicious dinner as the ship departs Portofino and sails for Monte Carlo.

Enjoy breakfast then spend the morning at leisure on board, taking advantage of the many amenities. Tuck into a yummy lunch before disembarking for this afternoon’s 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, 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. 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.) (Activity Level: Moderate)

Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening. Raise a glass to your lovely sojourn!

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.