Bus Tour Riviera Belle Époque

A journey through the Riviera that, between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, captivated kings, artists, scientists, and aristocrats from across Europe. Thanks to the arrival of the international railway and the region’s exceptionally mild climate, destinations such as Sanremo, Bordighera, Menton, Nice, and Monte Carlo became favored resorts of the European elite, leaving behind a legacy of elegant villas, exotic gardens, grand hotels, and fascinating stories. Based in Sanremo, this itinerary explores the Riviera dei Fiori and the French Riviera through the places that shaped the birth of modern tourism. The journey combines elegant seaside towns, medieval villages, Mediterranean landscapes, and remarkable Belle Époque landmarks.

From Alfred Nobel’s residence to the gardens of Sir Thomas Hanbury, from the paintings of Claude Monet to the glamour of Monte Carlo, this cultural itinerary tells the story of the international Riviera through its protagonists, architecture, and landscapes that made this stretch of coastline between Liguria and the French Riviera famous throughout the world. A cultural journey that blends art, history, botany, and lifestyle in the unique setting of the Mediterranean.

• PROGRAM

  DAY 1 – Arrival in the Riviera

  DAY 2 – Sanremo, the capital of the european winter season

  A full day dedicated to discovering the most elegant and fascinating side of Sanremo, where Belle Époque charm, history, and local traditions blend seamlessly. The guided tour begins along the famous Corso Imperatrice and the palm-lined promenade overlooking the sea, continuing to the iconic Sanremo Casino and the distinctive Russian Orthodox Church, symbols of the international aristocracy that chose the Riviera dei Fiori as its winter retreat. The tour then reaches Villa Nobel, now a museum dedicated to Alfred Nobel, where visitors can learn about the scientist’s life and his years spent in Sanremo.

  Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the historic center and the Pigna, Sanremo’s medieval quarter. Its maze of narrow alleyways, arches, hidden squares, and ancient houses reveals the city’s origins and provides a striking contrast to the elegance of Belle Époque Sanremo.

  DAY 3 – Ventimiglia, theHanbury Gardens and Dolceacqua

  This day explores the connection between art, botany, and landscape that made the Riviera famous throughout Europe.

  The morning begins in Ventimiglia, the historic border town between Italy and France. A guided walk through its medieval old town offers magnificent sea views and highlights the importance of the international railway, which played a key role in the development of tourism along the Riviera.

  The journey continues to the Hanbury Botanical Gardens, one of the most extraordinary botanical gardens in the Mediterranean. Created by Sir Thomas Hanbury in the late nineteenth century, they host plant species from around the world and stand as one of the finest examples of the Riviera’s Belle Époque passion for botany and exotic landscapes.

  In the afternoon, visit Dolceacqua, the picturesque medieval village dominated by the Doria Castle. Walking through its stone alleys and across the famous medieval bridge, visitors can relive the atmosphere that captivated Claude Monet during his stay in 1884. The French painter immortalized the village in several works, helping to make this corner of Liguria known far beyond Italy’s borders.

  DAY 4 – The French Riviera: Nice and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

  The day begins with a guided tour of Nice, the elegant capital of the French Riviera and a symbol of European aristocratic tourism during the Belle Époque. Walking along the famous Promenade des Anglais, lined with gardens, grand hotels, and prestigious buildings facing the Mediterranean, visitors retrace the years when Nice attracted royalty, nobility, and artists from across Europe. The tour continues through the city center, discovering architectural and cultural landmarks that still reflect the glamour and sophistication of the Belle Époque.

  Free time for lunch.

  In the afternoon, transfer to the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and nearby Beaulieu-sur-Mer to visit some of the most prestigious residences on the French Riviera. Highlights include the magnificent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, the lavish residence of Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild surrounded by spectacular Mediterranean gardens, and Villa Kérylos, an extraordinary recreation of an ancient Greek villa built at the beginning of the twentieth century. An inspiring journey through elegant architecture, art, gardens, and breathtaking coastal scenery that made the French Riviera famous worldwide.

  DAY 5 – Bordighera and Vallebona: in the footsteps of Claude Monet - Montecarlo by night

  The morning is dedicated to Bordighera, a refined seaside town that became one of the most important centers of the British community on the Riviera during the late nineteenth century. Artists, botanists, and writers were drawn here by the extraordinary Mediterranean light and subtropical vegetation. During the visit, guests explore the seafront, the historic old town, and the elegant villa district while discovering the stories of Claude Monet, Clarence Bicknell, and the distinguished visitors who contributed to Bordighera’s international reputation.

  The tour then continues to Vallebona, a charming inland village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, where a traditional Ligurian lunch is served in a local restaurant.

  In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk through the historic center and experience the slow rhythm of life in one of the Riviera dei Fiori’s most authentic villages.

  In the late afternoon, departure for the Principality of Monaco. The evening is devoted to Monte Carlo, the destination that best embodies the luxury and glamour of the Belle Époque. Strolling among the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Hôtel de Paris, the Café de Paris, and the beautifully illuminated squares, visitors relive the atmosphere that made Monaco a gathering place for Europe’s aristocracy and international high society.

  DAY 6 – Goodbye Riviera

  Individual departure and end of services.

• WHAT'S INCLUDED

  INCLUDED:

  • 5 overnight stays with breakfast in a double room in a 3* hotel
  • 3 dinners in the hotel with a fixed 3-course menu + 1 lunch in a restaurant
  • 4 days with tourist guide + Monte Carlo by Night
  • Included entrance fees (Villa Nobel – Hanbury Gardens – Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – Bordighera)
  • Medical and baggage insurance
  • Local assistance

  NOT INCLUDED:

  • Transportation
  • Tourist tax
  • Optional tips
• USEFUL INFORMATION

  USEFUL INFORMATION

  • Free-date programme subject to availability upon request.
  • Programme for groups of minimum 15 and maximum 50 participants.
  • The programme may be modified according to the client's logistical requirements.

  LOGISTICS: The tour will be based in a hotel between Bordighera and Sanremo. Coaches longer than ... metres cannot use the Bordighera motorway exit.

  ACCOMMODATION: Double room in selected hotels suitable for the proposed programme. Hotel names and details will be communicated at the time of request.

  TOUR FEATURES: Our tours are designed to allow you to experience the destination at its best. The programme always includes the most attractive routes and locations, which may also present barriers for people with disabilities.

  LIGURIANLIFE HOLIDAYS: Our tours are designed to help you discover the destination in the best possible way, offering immersive experiences rich in detail and authentic local culture.

  Travel light, slow down the pace, and experience the true essence of Liguria.