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Gardens of the Riviera

Cote d'Azur 5 nights Price from £1,977 per person
Departs: 12 Oct 2023, 19 Apr 2024, 10 Oct 2024
Departs: 12 Oct 2023

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There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty. The legacy of these 19th century gardeners still survives, giving inspiration to today’s visitors. Simon Monckton, who lived for many years on the Riviera, leads the tour.

 

ART & GARDENS OF THE CÔTE D’AZUR Combined tours – ten nights

For those who wish to combine the exceptional art and wonderful gardens of the French Riviera, the two tours "Art of the Cote d'Azur" & "Gardens of the Riviera"  run consecutively. A number of clients enjoy the opportunity to book both together.


The price to join both tours is £3,675 in 2023 and £3,796 in 2024. Single supplement is £690. 

 

What's included

...when you travel with Kirker

  • Return flights
  • Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast
  • All entrances fees and gratuities as described
  • Two dinners
  • One Lunch
  • The services of a Kirker Tour Lecturer

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Menton

    We fly from London to Nice and transfer to Menton where we stay at the family-owned 4 star Hôtel Napoléon. Comfortably furnished and offering a high level of personal service, it has a swimming pool, terrace and a fine garden of its own. The hotel does not have a dining room but the centre of Menton is just a few minutes’ walk away and has many fine restaurants.
  • Day 2 - Hanbury Gardens

    Our first visit will be to a garden in Italy, the famous Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola. Established in the late 19th century, the garden has an impressive collection of exotic and tender plants and banks of cascading scented flowers. Later we go to Villa Piacenza Boccanegra in Ventimiglia. Since the 1980s Ursula Piacenza has cared for and expanded the garden created by Ellen Willmott in 1906.
  • Day 3 - St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

    We drive to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat where we visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, as famous for its art collection as for its gardens, which harmoniously combine formal and contemporary styles. The villa was built between 1905 and 1912 for the Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the most beautiful spot on the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Nine gardens surround the villa, each with its own distinctive and contrasting theme. Later we go to Villa Kerylos, a contemporary and stylish recreation of a classical Greek villa.
  • Day 4 - Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden

    Today we walk to the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, close to the hotel. The garden was developed from 1905 by Lord Percy Radcliffe, and in the 1950s many unusual plants and trees began to be added. Next we go to the great garden of Lawrence Johnson, designer of Hidcote – Serre de la Madone. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the pretty resort of Menton.
  • Day 5 - Clos du Peyronnet

    The Waterfield family have owned Clos du Peyronnet since 1915. There is much imaginative use of fountains, ponds and cascades which enhance the artful landscaping. During the afternoon we will drive to nearby Monte Carlo to see the impressive collection of succulents and cacti at the Principality’s Jardin Exotique.
  • Day 6 - Flight

    We drive to Nice airport for the flight to London.

Flight Details

Flights with British Airways:

2023
Depart London Heathrow 09.25 arrive Nice 12.40
Depart Nice 15.05 arrive London Heathrow 16.10

2024
Depart Heathrow 11:30, arrive Nice 14:40
Depart Nice 15:30, arrive Heathrow 16:40

NB: We can offer alternative flights from many UK airports – please tell us if you would prefer to fly from your local airport.

Departure Dates and Prices

Supplement for a sea view:
2023 £225 per room.
2024 £180 per room.

2023

12 Oct 2023

Status Limited

Price from£1977

Single Supp.£320

Call 020 7593 2284

2024

19 Apr 2024

Status Available

Price from£1998

Single Supp.£320

Book Now Enquire

10 Oct 2024

Status Available

Price from£1998

Single Supp.£320

Book Now Enquire

Included Hotels

Hotel

Napoleon, Menton
Superior
Cote d'Azur, France, Europe

This bright, modern hotel is located on Garavan Bay, 100 metres from the beach and a 10 minute walk past the town’s two marinas to the atmospheric old town.

simon monckton Kirker.jpg

Simon Monckton

Tour Leader

More Info

Explore the local area

To make an enquiry please speak to one of our experts on 020 7593 2288, or enquire online

Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.

Praha