Itinerary

“NICE LA BELLE”

With streets full of colorful buildings, palm-lined boulevards, and a harbor of turquoise blue, you may feel like you’ve somehow stepped into a living painting when you arrive in Nice. And in fact, the clear air and soft light of the city has inspired some of the artistic greats like Chagall and Matisee—both of whom have museums dedicated to their works here. But no need to pinch yourself, Nice is just that nice.

Often called “the Queen of the Riviera”, the epitome of Nice’s famous joie de vivre can be found in full swing on the Promenade des Anglais. Hugging the Baie des Anges the promenade features stunning views, especially at sunset.
Don’t miss the opulent Hôtel Negresco where royalty and high society have held court since 1912, or the art deco Palais de la Méditerranée. If your feet need a break, hop on one of the numerous Velo Bleu bikes available and enjoy the feeling of the warm sea breeze fluttering through your hair.

Head for the heart of the city to the picturesque Place Rosetti to visit the cathédrale Saine-Réparate and the world-famous Fennochios’s ice cream and sorbet shop. After dark, the square becomes an open air-dance club complete with dramatic lighting that casts a magical glow on the ancient cobblestones.

CRUISE TO CANNES—BECAUSE WE CAN-CAN-CANNES!

Lights, camera, Cannes! Perhaps best known for the eponymous film festival that happens ever year, this charming port has plenty more to see than just celebrities and socialites. (Though, keep your eyes peeled because you never know who might be driving those Ferraris and Maseratis!)

Get ready for your close-up with a stroll along Le Promenade de la Croisette, the place to see and been seen in Cannes. Find the perfect pair of oversized sunglasses in one of the many luxury boutiques (Prada, anyone?) and then sit back and people watch with a glass of rosé at a chic waterfront café.

To see more of this seaside paradise, head to Le Suquet (the old town) to traverse winding cobblestone streets and zigzagging staircases. Gourmands will want to head for rue Meynardiers for shops carrying delicacies like creamy Brie and colorful macarons. The street also leads to Marché Forville, a covered market, where you’ll find local fig jam, charcuterie, and fresh flowers to tempt your senses.

Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Ah, Florence—sublime birthplace of the Renaissance, its historic center full to bursting with elegant squares, imposing palaces, magnificent churches, and museums with such an abundance of riches it could make an art lover weep for joy.

The list of illustrious names connected with this city is mind-boggling: Botticelli, Dante, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo. Other colorful and fascinating characters were of dubious reputation: Machiavelli, and the religious extremist Savonarola, with his bonfire of the vanities. For many years, the city was ruled by the powerful Medici family, patrons of the arts and bankers to the papacy, whose line included six kings and two popes.