Nice Carnival & The French Riviera

Your holiday starts at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. There, we join the TGV service direct to the Côte d'Azur city of Nice, our base for five nights.

Nice is one of France's most popular and cosmopolitan holiday destinations, with pristine pebble beaches, a year-round Mediterranean climate, set on a beautiful sweeping bay on the spectacular French Riviera. Since the Middle Ages, Nice has been celebrated for its vibrant carnival, which lights up this enchanting coastal city each year during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras.

After checking in to our hotel, this evening is at leisure to explore the city. Our accommodation is a short distance from the famous Promenade des Anglais, and you could stroll along this wide historic seafront before dining independently. There are several restaurants to choose from around the hotel, or wander down to the city's charming old town which has many inviting eating places, from sidewalk cafés to cosy traditional restaurants.

This morning, we transfer to Masséna Square, Nice's main square, where we set out on a tour of the fascinating city. This historic market square is lined with palm trees and surrounded by red ochre buildings. Our tour takes us to the historic Old Town, a charming jumble of alleyways lined with buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, we see the Opera House, the delightful flower market, and Nice's striking cathedral. There's also the option to visit the Colline du Château, which has stunning, panoramic views across the Old Town.

This afternoon you are free to explore this artistic city at your own pace. The Musée National Marc Chagall honours the Belarussian-born French artist and is around 20 minutes' walk from the city centre or can be reached by bus. The Matisse Museum in the hilltop Cimiez quarter, contains colourful Fauvist works by Henri Matisse, who spent many years in Nice.

Along the Promenade des Anglais, you could visit the Hotel Negresco to sample the famous Royal Negresco cocktail containing champagne and flakes of gold, before meeting the group for dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you are at leisure to soak up the festive atmosphere of the city, before the main highlight of the holiday this evening. One option is to walk beside locals and visitors along the famous Promenade des Anglais, strolling under palm trees beside the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. You could also revisit the old town or look around one of the many galleries and museums.

A highlight of our holiday awaits tonight as we travel by tram to Masséna Square. Here, from our reserved grandstand seats, we experience this evening's dazzling carnival extravaganza. Watch the gloriously decorated floats as they pass, adorned with an amazing array of flowers, and marvel at the fabulous performers in colourful costume, as they weave their way through the illuminated streets.

More than a thousand dancers, actors and performers take part in this incredible spectacle, with processions taking place through the streets - the effect is an explosion of colour and vitality.

• Breakfast

With a day at leisure, you could opt to make use of the Côte d'Azur's excellent and affordable trains. The charming harbour town of Antibes boasts historic streets lined with quaint fisherman's houses and has attracted visitors for centuries - including Pablo Picasso, who lived in Château Grimaldi for six months. The castle is now the site of the Picasso Museum. The covered Provençal Market in Antibes is also worth visiting.

Alternatively, you could travel by train to stylish Cannes, originally a small fishing village, which can still be found in the cobbled streets of Le Suquet. The Croisette boulevard hosts the world-renowned film festival and is dotted with palms and upmarket boutiques. The colourful market here is a feast for the senses. In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, near Nice, you could visit the pink villa formerly owned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, a socialite and art collector of the prominent Rothschild dynasty.

You dine independently this evening and can savour the tastes of the region at any number of relaxed bistros or restaurants.

• Breakfast

This morning, we drive along the scenic Lower Corniche Road to Monaco. Clinging to coastal cliffs, there are fantastic views of the azure Mediterranean enroute. The world's second-smallest sovereign state, Monaco is known as a playground for the rich and famous with superyachts lining the marina. Despite its small size, Monaco manages to cram a wealth of culture, history and glamour into its two-kilometre-square area. During a guided tour, we visit the glitzy Place du Casino and view the world-famous Monte-Carlo Casino.

On its strategic position on top of a large rock, Le Rocher is Monaco's Old Town and still retains winding medieval lanes. Since the 13th century, this has been the stronghold of the Grimaldi dynasty - the principality's ruling family. Our guided tour takes in the Palais du Prince, the residence of the current Prince of Monaco, where we witness the time-honoured Changing of the Guards ceremony. Following our tour, there's free time in Monaco to look around independently. Returning to Nice this evening, we dine at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Checking out of the hotel after breakfast this morning, we board a direct train to Paris for a journey that takes us through the heart of France.

This holiday on the Côte d'Azur has shown us the highlights of this sparkling coastline. Nice is an attractive city all year round, but bursts into life at carnival time. The lively atmosphere and spectacular floats adorned with colourful flowers add a touch of magic to this idyllic location.

After changing trains in Paris, we arrive back in London this evening, where you are free to make your way home.

• Breakfast