Arrival of group at the coastal resort of Diano Marina in the Province of Imperia. Check-in at hotel in late afternoon, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Dolceacqua, an enchanting medieval village set among the inland hills of Liguria. The artist Claude Monet visited the village several times, painting the picturesque Doria Castle. Visit to the old village and lunch in a restaurant, followed by a visit to the famous Hanbury Botanical Gardens, one of the region’s major environmental attractions, conserving and promoting the values of classic garden landscaping. Extremely interesting historical collection of a wide variety of exotic plants. Excursion continues towards the Principality of Seborga. Following an ancient tradition, the principality’s citizens elect a prince with symbolic functions, and mint a special currency called the “Luigino”, which can be used as legal tender only in the town itself. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for a visit to Genoa, an ancient maritime republic and an important cultural centre, known also for the exploits of its most famous citizen, Christopher Columbus. Meeting with guide for a tour of the city centre. Visit to the San Lorenzo Cathedral and then Via Garibaldi, known as the Strada Nuova in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A museum itinerary links three of the city’s most important palaces, the Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi, which in addition to hosting an impressive collection of paintings and other items, also has a violin that once belonged to Paganini on display. Lunch in a traditional trattoria. Short afternoon cruise round Genoa’s old harbour, followed by free time. Particularly recommended is a visit to the city’s aquarium, Europe’s largest for the number of species on display. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Cervo, jewel of the Riviera of Flowers. The town still conserves its original characteristics as a mediaeval township perched on a hill overlooking the sea, dominated by a castle that was once the ancient residence of the Marquises of Clavesana. Visit to the town centre with its old mansions and cobbled alleys, lined with craft workshops and artists’ studios. Stop for lunch, then continuing to Imperia for a visit to the old quarter of Parasio, Porto Maurizio and the Olive Museum, with a modern display tracing the history of olive oil production from ancient times through to the present day. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Sanremo. Often called the “City of Flowers”, Sanremo is famous for the traditional Sanremo Italian Song Festival held at the Ariston Theatre, its casino in fine Art Nouveau style and its magnificent villas, including Villa Nobel, once the home of the famous 19th-century Swedish scientist, and Villa Ormond and its park. Visit to the Cristo Salvatore orthodox church, built in the early 20th century by Russian visitors who spent the winter in Sanremo on account of its mild climate. Lunch in a restaurant. Visit in the afternoon to Bordighera, known as the “City of Palms”, with its many parks, gardens and villas, which in the 19th century attracted hundreds of tourists mainly from France and Britain. Panoramic coach drive along the old Roman road past its elegant Art Nouveau villas, as painted by Claude Monet during his visit to Bordighera from January to April 1884, followed by a walk in the centre and a visit to the Santa Maria Maddalena church, built in the 17th century facing onto Piazza del Popolo, and renovated in 1866, when it was adorned with new decorations in stucco and gold. According to a local tradition, the work was paid for by the town’s citizens, who spontaneously donated jewellery and other precious ornaments. Return to hotel in late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Finalborgo, a mediaeval walled township with narrow alleys, still conserving all the characteristics of a fortification, but with a precious heritage of Renaissance mansions. Lunch during the visit, then continuing to Albenga, an inland town dating back to Roman times, known as the “City of a Hundred Spires”. Visit to the many monuments of the town centre, through to the archaeological area of the River Centa, including the site of the ancient Roman baths. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and end of our services.