Day 1 Early morning departure for Dover and the crossing to Calais and on to the overnight stop in Dijon or similar. (NB: Bed and breakfast only).
Day 2 Continue the journey south and into Italy to Diano Marina for a four night stay.
Day 3 Day at leisure in Diano Marina
Day 4 A ride through parks, palm-lined promenades and elegant shopping streets of San Remo, the main town on the Riveira of Flowers. Then you have free time to explore and obtain lunch before travelling inland to Dolceacqua a charming village nestled in the hills of Val Nervia.
Day 5 You will have a guided tour of beautiful Genoa, with the typical ‘carrugi’ (narrow streets of the old city centre) and the bustling Porto Antico. You will also enjoy a one hour train journey on the famous narrow gauge railway through nature.
Day 6 After breakfast, depart the hotel and you will head to the Adriatic Sea and to Cattolica for a four night stay.
Day 7 Day at leisure in Cattolica.
Day 8 This morning you will travel to San Marino, the world’s smallest surviving republic. The sights most worth seeing in this pretty medieval city are above all the Government Palace, Cathedral and the Statue of Liberty on the Piazza della Libertà. Free time before continuing to the castle town of San Leo, located at the top of a high, steep crag. The location alone, which affords stunning views, make the trip worthwhile.
Day 9 A guided tour of the city of Cervia which has a long tradition of producing salt. The salt warehouses are located on the saltpan canal. On the right bank, near the Darsena warehouse, the stunning Fontana del Tappeto Sospeso Mosaic (Fountain of the Flying Carpet). You will also enjoy a two hour boat trip around the salt pans and you may possibly see a wide variety of birdlife including flamingos.
Day 10 Time to leave Cattolica and travel to your overnight stop at Alessandria (or similar).
Day 11 Leaving Italy you will head to Dijon for your final overnight stop.
Day 12 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.