Discover a walking holiday in the Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo
Discover the charms of Bordighera, a coastal town nestled along the picturesque Italian Riviera, 18 miles to the east of Monte Carlo. Famous for its perfect climate and seafront promenade, Bordighera serves as the perfect base for exploring the rest of the Italian Riviera. Today, it retains its timeless elegance, with quaint streets and historic landmarks. Bordighera is also known for its palm trees along the promenade, from which the Vatican selects its palms for Palm Sunday.
There are three guided walks, the first to Taggia, an Ligurian old town. Then, you head on to Old Bussana, a former ghost town, abandoned due to an earthquake in 1887, which was renovated and repopulated by an international community of artists in the early 1960s.
Your next walk will begin on the seafront in Bordighera and then on to Sasso. Your final stop on this walk will be Seborga, considered to be one of “The most beautiful villages of Italy”. Seborga has an impressive palace fortress, cobblestone alleys, stunning views as well as a rustic cuisine. Additionally, it has a ceremonial head of state who is an elected prince or princess, its own currency, stamps, and a national anthem! Seborga’s recent history, unlike that of any other village in Italy, centres on a decades-long quest to become a stand-alone principality, like Monaco, which on clear days, you can see from one of its lookouts.
On this holiday, there is an optional excursion to both Villa Rothschild and Nice. Located between Nice and Monaco, overlooking the Mediterranean, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a magnificent palace surrounded by nine themed gardens: French garden, Spanish garden, Florentine Garden, stone garden, Japanese garden, exotic garden, Provençal Garden and a rose garden. This magnificent villa was built in the early 20th century for Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, a socialite and art enthusiast. Following this, you will visit Nice, the fifth largest French city and classed as one of the most beautiful cities in all of France. Nice has been home to many key characters throughout history. From monarchs and aristocrats to renowned artists and literary figures, Nice has served as both an escape and a source of inspiration.
Your final walk begins in Menton, the last French Riviera town before you reach Italy, one of the Côte d’Azur’s most blissful stops. Your guide will lead you to Roquebrune Village, a true jewel of the Riviera, nestled between Menton and Monaco. It is in a magnificent location, perched high above the Mediterranean. With its natural, unspoilt beaches and breathtaking views, Roquebrune tells a story, bridging the past and present, from its medieval village to the Cap Moderne. Your stunning trail leads you to the final destination of Monte Carlo, located in Monaco, the second smallest state in the world and home to the Monte Carlo Casino. This glamorous place is full of frescoes, sculptures, and features an astonishing gold and marble atrium. Steeped in 700 years of Grimaldi royal history, Monte-Carlo’s location is truly breathtaking!
Holiday Highlights
- 7 nights half board on the Italian Riviera
- One hour complimentary pass for the Spa & Wellness Centre at the hotel
- Three included walks
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Optional excursion to Villa Rothschild and Nice
- Included walking excursion to Monte Carlo
Itinerary
Day One – Arrival Day
Flight to Nice. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, Hotel Parigi for seven nights half board accommodation. Transfer time 45 minutes.
Day Two – Walk 1 – Taggia to Bussana Vecchia
Coach transfer to Taggia which claims to be home to Italy’s longest medieval bridge. You will walk through the old town, and then climb through smart villas, olive trees and greenhouses, following the old road and country paths as far as Old Bussana – one of those ‘must see’ places. What was a completely empty village following the 1887 earthquake has become home to a Bohemian artist community, which took root in the 1960’s – not without controversy. 5 miles, 250m ascent.
Day Three – Free Day
Explore your destination at your own pace.
Day Four – Walk 2 – Bordighera to Sasso & the Princedom of Seborga
Today’s walk starts at the seafront in Bordighera, passing through the old town, before following an old watercourse through a valley of palm trees to the pretty hamlet of Sasso. You then take the old road to the village of Seborga. This walk is 9 miles there and back, ascent/descent of 500m. If you wish to walk a shorter distance, you can catch the local bus from Sasso or Seborga to Bordighera.
Day Five – Optional excursion to Villa Rothschild & Nice
Free day or you can join our optional excursion to Villa Rothschild and Nice, departing at 0915. You will travel along the spectacular lower cornice passing Beaulieu to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap-Ferrat. The Italianate, pink-coloured property is luxuriously furnished, has splendid sea views and is encircled by no less than nine beautiful gardens, each following a different theme. After your visit, you continue to Nice for lunch (not included) and free time, returning to the hotel via the even more spectacular middle corniche.
Day Six – Walk 3 – Monte Carlo
You travel by coach transfer to Menton, where you will alight and walk up to Roquebrune village, before descending towards Monte Carlo. Roquebrune, on Mont Gros, is a favourite place for hang-gliders, and has fine views of Monte Carlo. Once you reach Monaco, you will experience a magnificent panorama of the port of the Principality and the rest of the lower town as well. You can take some time and do some sightseeing of your own in Monte-Carlo and get familiar with the Principality, before you re-join the coach to return to Bordighera, just 18 miles away. 7 miles, 200m of ascent/descent.
Day Seven – Free day
Free Day in resort.
Day Eight – Departure Day
Free time until your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Located on the beachfront in Bordighera, a stone’s throw from the French Riviera, Hotel Parigi offers a free private beach area with sun beds and umbrellas to relax when you are not walking. Directly on the pedestrian promenade on the Riviera, the hotel is very close proximity to the longest cycle path in Liguria. Free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour desk are available. This family-run hotel offers quiet rooms, each with a balcony overlooking the sea and hills. Rooms are all air-conditioned, equipped with a flat-screen satellite TV, and bathrooms with a shower, bath or spa bath. A wide choice of traditional Mediterranean dishes are served in the hotel restaurant, which also has a wine cellar. Guests can relax in the wellness centre on the 5th floor with spectacular sunsets, which includes a sauna, steam room, solarium and hot tub/jacuzzi (1 hour complimentary pass included). Located on the Ligurian coast, the hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from the centre of Bordighera and 20 minutes from the lovely city of Sanremo.
Hotel Features
Location
Dates & Prices
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