Compare Walks & Gardens of the French Riviera by Exodus Travels vs Paris, Normandy & Loire Valley by Great Value Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,235 | $ 3,220 |
| Price Per Day | $ 279 | $ 460 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | Seven breakfasts are included. There is a nearby supermarket and boulangerie to buy packed lunches and Menton is brimming with restaurant choices for your evening meal. There is plenty of choice for all budgets and tastes, including traditional French cuisine, fresh seafood and excellent Italian restaurants (influenced by the town's proximity to the Italian border). | N/A |
| Description |
On the Franco-Italian border, by the warm Mediterranean sea, Menton is a delight for any visitor. It is easy to see how the city earned its nickname 'the Pearl of France', combining gardens, seaport, beach resort and a hiker’s paradise into one. With the Alpine chain dropping into the sea at the France-Italy border, it is also an ideal location for a guided walking holiday. Many of the trails start directly from the town and gain altitude in a short distance, offering some of the finest views of the French Riviera.Enjoy coastal walking on the Cote d’Azur |
Romantic cities, remnants of a tumultuous past, fairy tale palaces - experience it all on this adventure in France! You'll spend six nights based out of France's capital city of Paris, where you can climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll through some of the world's most famous gardens, and indulge in freshly-baked Parisian pastries to your heart's content! Included in this vacation are four unique tours. Enjoy seamless access through Paris with your hop-on/hop-off bus pass, then follow the footsteps of WWII and the Allied invasion with your guided tour of Normandy and the D-Day beaches. You'll also be whisked away to one of France's most famous palaces, where you'll enjoy a guided tour followed by free time in Versailles' breathtaking gardens. Lastly, you'll be treated to a trip straight out of a storybook with a guided exploration of the Loire Valley's most iconic castles. Tour a home designed by Leonardo da Vinci, then explore the former residence of one of the art world's most famous patrons: Catherine de Medici. Please note: depending on availability, tours may be scheduled on different days than mentioned in the itinerary. |
Day 1 Start Menton
Our start point is a comfortable three-star hotel in Menton. Situated just a short stroll from the railway station, beach and shops, it is ideally located for a week of walking. In the evening, our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.
Day 2 Walk to and around Cap Martin Peninsula, through Menton and Carnolès
Starting from the hotel, we stop at the market where we discover local food ingredients, then take the train or public bus to Carnolès. In the grounds of the Palais Carnolès and Musée des Beaux-Arts, we find a renowned collection of citrus trees. After time exploring the gardens, we start our walk around the beautiful Cap Martin Peninsula where we stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we visit the Cap Martin olive groves then walk or take the bus back to Menton.
Day 3 Discover Eze; visit the Exotic Garden. Walk down the Nietzche path to join Eze Plage
We begin our day with a 20-minute train journey to Eze Plage, and carry on by bus to Eze, a medieval village established in the 14th century with magnificent coastal views. From here, we can walk up to the Mont Bastide castle ruins to admire amazing views before we visit the Exotic Garden, which is built 1,407ft (429m) above sea level on the site of an ancient fortress in Eze village. It overlooks the Provençal hill village providing home for cacti, succulents, xerophytes and various Mediterranean species. After free time in the village, we walk down the Nietzsche path to join Eze Plage, before taking the train back to Menton.
Day 4 Train or bus to Carnolès; walk to Roquebrune. Take the ferry shuttle to cross Monaco harbour; discover Monaco old town
Today we take a train or bus to Carnolès, followed by a walk to Roquebrune where we enjoy stunning views over Monaco. Then we walk down to Monaco where we take the ferry shuttle to cross Monaco harbour. We discover the old town with tiny streets and beautiful buildings and the casino, before returning by train to Menton.
Day 5 Free day to explore Menton old town, take a trip to the chic principality of Monaco or visit one of the many exotic gardens in the area
On your free day, you could choose to explore Menton old town. During the 19th century, the British and Russian aristocracy met here in fabulous palaces and villas. The architecture is stunning with the unique baroque style of the Saint-Michel and Conception squares plus the Saint-Michel Basilica façade. Alternatively, you could visit one or more of the eight gardens in Menton or head further afield to Nice by train or bus and visit its renowned market and the Promenade des Anglais. Monaco also has much to offer despite its diminutive size, and is renowned for the luxurious lifestyle afforded to its residents.
Day 6 Train to Villefranche bay; walk to Cap Ferrat and to Saint Hospice peninsula
This morning, we take the train to Villefranche from where we walk to the Gavinette point to admire the spectacular view of Villefranche bay. We continue our walk to Cap Ferrat where we can marvel at the beauty of Villa de Rothschild and its gardens.
Day 7 Visit to Serre de la Madone garden showcasing rare subtropical plants, followed by a visit to Sainte Agnes
In the morning we take the public bus to the Serre de la Madone garden for a visit. Created by Sir Lawrence Johnston, it was turned from terraces of vines and olives into a garden bright with drifts of agapanthus and strelitzia. After our visit, a private bus will collect and take us to the village of Sainte Agnès. High above Menton town, it is registered as “one of the most beautiful French villages”. It hides picturesque streets and artist studios and, at 2,625ft (800m) above sea level, offers a breath-taking view over the blue Mediterranean Sea. We then take the bus or walk back to the hotel.
Day 8 End Menton
After a relaxed breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home. If you’d like to explore a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Day 1 Welcome to Paris!
Arrive at Paris' Charles De Gaulles Airport and be transferred to your Paris hotel. Activate your hop-on/hop-off bus pass and begin exploring the City of Light! You can take an entire loop for a unique perspective of the city, then start hopping off as you please. Ascend the steps of the Eiffel Tower and look down upon the city below, head to the Arc de Triomphe and stare in awe at its grandeur, then hop off at Pont Neuf and take a walk across this iconic and historic bridge.
Day 2 Paris
Continue utilizing your hop-on/hop-off bus pass! Gawk at incredible architecture, then lose track of time in the breathtaking Luxembourg Gardens.
Day 3 Paris
Today, spend an entire day following the footsteps of WWII and the Allied invasion with your Normandy and D-Day Beaches tour!
Day 4 Paris
Spend the first part of your day discovering the splendors of the Palace of Versailles, from the iconic gardens to the many works of art and furniture, created by the greatest craftsmen of the day. Return to Paris in the early evening, and prepare to experience Paris' one-of-a-kind nightlife! Take a romantic stroll along the river, enjoy some music, or perhaps even stumble upon a speakeasy!
Day 5 Paris
Spend today soaking up the highlights of the Louvre! Fall in love with the Venus de Milo, sneak a peek at Botticelli's Venus, then follow the iconic gaze of the Mona Lisa. After a day spent surrounded by some of the world's most famous masterpieces, consider winding down with a leisurely cruise along the river Siene, or perhaps treat yourself to a wine and cheese tasting, sampling the local sips and nibbles France is known for!
Day 6 Paris
Spend an entire day exploring France's most breathtaking chateaux on your guided tour today. In the evening, head to the Eiffel Tower to experience this landmark one more time as it becomes illuminated in the evening - the perfect way to spend your last evening in Paris!
Day 7 Depart France
Say au revoir to France as you are transferred from the hotel to the airport in time for your departure flight home.
