Monte Carlo

From tiny Monaco, travel the coastal road to the French Riviera’s biggest city and of its most scenic villages. As you enter Nice, your guide will begin the narrated portion of the drive. Admire the rocky beach of Baie des Anges on one side of the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais and the grand buildings on the other, the grand Hotel Negresco, with its extravagant Belle Epoque façade, among them. The route will focus on key city landmarks, including the Russian Orthodox Church, before stopping near Vieux Nice.

Traveling the highway from Monaco, St-Paul de Vence is visible from afar, perched high above the rolling countryside. It is among the few fortress towns that once dotted the French Riviera to survive into the modern era with its medieval appearance intact. In the 1920s, the village was discovered by painters such as Modigliani and Bonnard, whose informal gatherings evolved into a larger artistic community here. Your visit begins just outside the medieval fortifications, at the Fondation Maeght, the private museum opened by publishers and art dealers Aimé and Marguerite Maeght in 1964.

The Monte-Carlo Golf Club sits on the summit of Mont Agel, the mountain at the border between Monaco and France. Its natural parkland design is far from mountainous, with some slopes to climb but better known for its spectacular views of the sea, the coastline and the Western Alp under the brilliant Mediterranean sunshine. Established in 1911, the 18-hole, par-71 course enjoys a reputation for having stood the test of time. Following your game, you are welcome to have lunch or a drink at the Club House on your own.

Set between Monaco and Nice, the forested peninsula of Cap-Ferrat has been an exclusive holiday destination on the Riviera for more than 100 years. Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild, daughter of the famed banker Alphonse and an art collector in her own right, purchased the property and commissioned a home from French architect Aaron Messiah. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was built between 1905 and 1912, its high hilltop location providing sea views on two sides, looking out to both the Bay of Villefranche and the Bay of Beaulieu.