Itinerary

Day 1 Paris

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

You will receive a welcome package with your vouchers, and itinerary, city map(s) and train tickets (where relevant) upon your hotel arrival.

Enjoy a half day (3.5hrs) shared panoramic tour of Paris with an English speaking driver-guide. On the tour you will discover the monuments which have made Paris famous throughout the world: Concorde Square - Louvre Museum, Seine river and its bridges, French Academy, Cité Island with the Palace of Justice and Notre-Dame Cathedral (stop and free time) - Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), the Latin Quarter with the Sorbonne and the Pantheon - Arch of Triumph - Champs-Elysées Avenue - Eiffel Tower (photo-stop) - Invalides with the dome of Napoleon’s Tomb, Opera House -. Walking tour on your own in Montmartre, near Sacré-Coeur Basilica and the artists’ square. (Includes hotel pick up and drop off).

Live to the fullest the animation of the Montparnasse district and the calm of the Luxembourg gardens. Resolutely modern, the Villa Luxembourg offers a perfect compromise between the services of a residence and those of a luxury hotel. The large façade windows, which open up on the boulevard du Montparnasse, allow the rooms of the residence to be bathed in brightness. And, because they are all equipped with small kitchens, you can choose between going out to the restaurant and dining at home in an intimate setting.

Overnight at Hotel Luxembourg (4*).

Day 2 Paris

Whether it is strolling the famed Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré with a personal shopper; exploring the Louvre Museum with your iPod-based Da Vinci code museum tour, or taking a Soundwalk through the lively St. Germaine district, there is something to suit every mood and interest. Discover St Germain des Pres as you stroll through the literary and historical neighbourhood along winding streets lined with boutiques, art galleries and other places of interest. Alternatively (or in addition), explore the Marais neighbourhood - the most fashionable district of Paris in one of the most well preserved neighbourhoods of the city. Marvel at the remarkable 16th and 17th century mansions, squares and museums, beautiful streets steeped in history and trendy shops and bars. Lastly, discover the Montmartre area of Paris - a neighbourhood of steps and narrow cobblestoned streets which evokes images depicted by Toulouse Lautrec.

Discover Versailles Palace, the symbol of France's grandeur during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV.  You will be picked up at your Paris hotel in luxury air conditioned minibus with a professional interpreter-guide and whisked away to the famous palace.

Your guide will take you straight in without standing in line and lead you through the most beautiful rooms including the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s private Apartment.

Then enjoy some free time to explore the palace gardens.  Please note that on "Special Musical Fountain" days (in summer: every Saturday and Sunday) there is an additional charge to visit the gardens (8€ per person, the entrance is not included).

There are a mindboggling array of choices of things to do in Paris. Consider a private half or full day tour of the city with a guide (with or without private transport), spend the day with a personal shopper, enjoy a panoramic flight around Paris. Excursion options outside of Paris include a tour to Versailles, Auvers (where Van Gogh spent his last months) & the American Museum of Giverny (Monet's last place of residence), Burgundy, Champagne, Brugges or London. If you are interested in any of these suggestions, please contact your Sales Advisor.

Paris takes on a different hue at night and, with many of the magnificent buildings aglow which make it is possibly the best time to admire the beauty of the city. There are plenty of options to choose from for evening entertainment including an early evening wine tasting in a beautiful, airy Parisian loft of a French sommelier located close to the lively Marais district, a dinner cruise, a cabaret show, dinner in the Eiffel tower followed by a night-time cruise, or an evening tour of the city with many of the historical buildings aglow.

Overnight at Hotel Luxembourg (4*).

Day 3 Nice

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a glittering jewel of the Côte d'Azur. It is a city built on wealth and prestige, and not a little pretension. Head away from the Promenade and you'll find a different, more thoughtful Nice. History shows itself in the Roman and Grecian ruins in the Parc du Château, art manifests itself in the form of the outstanding Chagall and Matisse collections, and the old town simply oozes Mediterranean charm.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy the train ride from Paris to Nice (direct) on the fast speed TGV train. Train duration is approximately 6 hours.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Explore the colorful, historical centre of Nice at leisure...The Cours Selaya Flower Market is a must-see. This is also one of the main neighborhoods for dining, with several cafés lining the outdoor market. If you want seafood, this is the spot to hit. There are also several souvenir shops, gourmet shops and other boutiques here. The Promenade des Anglais is something anyone visiting Nice is sure to see. The Pedestrian Zone (zone pietonne) is a bit of a tourist trap, but there's a good reason. This is a lovely area for a stroll, as cars are forbidden except for the early morning. The shops here are on the tacky-tee-shirt scale in most cases, although there are several great clothing store chains and nice shops like the gourmet boutique Ducs de Gascony. This is the ideal spot to sip a café au lait and watch the world go by. Follow the Cours Saleya which runs parallel to the United States quay - polychrome façades, flower market, fruit and vegetable market, chapelle de la Miséricorde) then turn left into the rue Jules-Gilly (Red Penitents’ chapel). Continue on Rue Droite (église du Gesù) before reaching on your left, place Rossetti (cathédrale Sainte-Réparate). Return to rue Droite (palais Lascaris) towards place Saint-François (fish market). Then back to the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna through the narrow streets of the old city (many shops and restaurants) or via the castle hill (splendid view over the city and the port).

Villa Victoria (3*) is located in the heart of Nice, near the Promenade des Anglais and the Acropolis convention centre. The hotel is renovated in a quintessential French Riviera style and has a beautiful botanic garden. Some rooms have a view on this green paradise in the centre of the city.

Furthermore, this property has a beautiful breakfast lounge, a terrace with a garden view, and a charming bar. It offers also other amenities like recently refurbished and silent rooms, helpful personnel, an internet point, and a shared private beach.

Overnight at Villa Victoria (3*).

Day 4 Nice

Enjoy a full day exploring the Cote d’Azur on a shared tour. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cannes before continuing on to Antibes. Founded by the Greeks in the 4th century, the town of Antibes has fortified walls and a fortress which date back to the 17th century.

Enjoy lunch at leisure in Nice.

In the afternoon, enjoy the stunning coastal views as the tour departs for Monaco passing by Villefranche / Cap Ferrat with its beautiful bay, considered the first port of Nice. Once in the principality of Monaco, enjoy a panoramic visit of the city with the Prince’s palace, the cathedral (which houses Princess Grace Kelly’s grave). From here, the tour continues on to the city of Monte Carlo – known for it’s formula one “circuit”. Enjoy some free time in the main square to see the highlights : the famous casino. A different route is taken on the return to Nice (the middle road) and a stop is made in the beautiful medieval village of Eze to visit at the perfume factory Fragonard. Enjoy some free time before the return journey to Nice.

Overnight at Villa Victoria (3*).

Day 5 Nice

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (A supplement for transfer between 8pm and 7am may be charged).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Nice airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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