Christmas on the Italian Riviera Escorted Tour
Christmas on the Italian Riviera Escorted Tour
8 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Nice, Alassio, Santa Margherita, Monaco, Genoa
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 35
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the magic of Christmas on the Italian Riviera with our escorted tour, staying at the charming four-star superior Hotel Toscana in Alassio. Delight in the seaside beauty of Alassio, the glamour of Monte Carlo, and the historic allure of Genoa. Enjoy festive dinners and lunches, explore picturesque Santa Margherita and Portofino, and wander through the lush Villa Hanbury Gardens. With return flights from London Gatwick to Nice, transfers, and a full coach touring itinerary, this holiday promises a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, all under the guidance of an experienced tour manager.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Nice
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly from London Gatwick to Nice. On arrival in Nice transfer over the border into Italy and on to Alassio (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes).
Day 2: Full Free Day In Alassio To Relax Or Explore At Your Leisure.
Location: Alassio
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The seaside resort of Alassio is well-known for its spectacular natural setting and beautiful views. Along its seafront of sandy beaches you'll find a lovely promenade lined with excellent bars and cafes, and the cobbled streets of the pedestrianized town centre make for a relaxed afternoon stroll. Essential listening is Edward Elgar's concert-overture In the South (Alassio) which he composed while on holiday here in the winter of 1903.
Day 3:Full Day Tour To Santa Margherita And Portofino.
Location: Santa Margherita
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Santa Margherita is a small, lovely and picturesque resort set on an inlet. The town is full of grand hotels and villas in lush gardens all looking out over the sparkling blue of the bay. Enjoy this beautiful resort with a gentle stroll or relaxing in a café watching the world go by. Tiny Portofino nestled in a protected inlet amongst cypress and olive trees, with colourful houses, mansions shrouded by trees and plenty of bars and cafes. Just above the town you’ll find San Giorgio church, said to contain relics of the dragon slayer himself.
Day 4:Full Day Tour To Monaco. Christmas Eve Festive Dinner At The Hotel.
Location: Alassio
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The principality of Monaco may be a tiny 1.9 square km, but you’d be hard pushed to find as much luxury anywhere else. Ruled over by its famous royal family and full of lavish hotels, luxury tower blocks, gleaming super cars and a harbour stuffed with multi-million pound yachts, Monaco is a fascinating place to visit. See the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and Hotel de Paris and soak up the ambience.
Day 5: Day Free To Relax And Enjoy The Delights Of Alassio With Christmas Day Lunch At The Hotel.
Location: Alassio
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today enjoy a free day and enjoy a festive lunch at your hotel.
Day 6: Morning Free In Alassio And Afternoon Tour To Villa Hanbury Gardens.
Location: Monaco
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we have time to spend at leisure in Alassio and enjoy any local traditions and festivities - perhaps join the locals with a morning dip in the sea! This afternoon we travel to the Villa Hanbury Gardens for a guided tour. Laid out by Sir Thomas Hanbury in the mid-19th century the gardens are a dramatic 100 acre site on a promontory and are planted with a wide range of specimens.
Day 7:Full Day Tour To Genoa.
Location: Genoa
Accommodation Name: Hotel Toscana, Alassio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Italy’s largest port, Genoa has been a prosperous economic centre for centuries, which has created a city full of impressive landmarks and a glorious heritage and earning the nickname ‘La Superba’. The old town is a medieval warren, part of which is UNESCO-listed, spotted with palazzi that have been converted into world class museums and art galleries.
Day 8:
Location: Nice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Nice airport for flight to London Gatwick.
What's Included
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Return flights from London Gatwick to Nice
The tour includes return flights from London Gatwick to Nice.
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Seven nights' accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis at the four-star superior Hotel Toscana in Alassio
Enjoy seven nights' accommodation with dinner, bed, and breakfast at the four-star superior Hotel Toscana in Alassio.
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Christmas Eve festive dinner and Christmas Day festive lunch at the hotel
Celebrate with a festive dinner on Christmas Eve and a festive lunch on Christmas Day at the hotel.
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Transfers and full coach touring itinerary
Transfers and a full coach touring itinerary are included in the tour.
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Tour manager throughout
A tour manager will be with you throughout the trip.
What's Not Included
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Double for sole use supplement
A supplement applies for double rooms used for single occupancy.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specified in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included in the tour price.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes return flights from London Gatwick to Nice, with transfers and a full coach touring itinerary. On arrival in Nice, transfer over the border into Italy and on to Alassio, approximately a 1 hour 30 minutes journey.
Accommodation
The four-star superior Hotel Toscana, run by the Tuscan Mantellassi family since 1934, is centrally located just 80 metres from Alassio's sandy beach. It features a wellness centre with a sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub, and fitness centre, a restaurant using local and Tuscan produce, and comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, private bathroom, mini-bar, TV, safe, and wi-fi.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes seven nights' accommodation on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis at the four-star superior Hotel Toscana in Alassio. The hotel is centrally located, just 80 meters from Alassio's sandy beach, and features excellent facilities including a wellness center, restaurant, and lounge.
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Are there any special meals included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a Christmas Eve festive dinner and a Christmas Day festive lunch at the Hotel Toscana.
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What is the transportation arrangement for the tour?
The tour includes return flights from London Gatwick to Nice, transfers, and a full coach touring itinerary.
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Is there a tour manager available throughout the trip?
Yes, a tour manager will be available throughout the trip.
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What activities are planned for the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will fly from London Gatwick to Nice. Upon arrival in Nice, you will transfer over the border into Italy and on to Alassio, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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What can I do on the second day of the tour?
The second day is a full free day in Alassio to relax or explore at your leisure. You can enjoy the seaside resort's spectacular natural setting, beautiful views, sandy beaches, promenade lined with bars and cafes, and the cobbled streets of the pedestrianized town center.
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What is included in the full day tour to Santa Margherita and Portofino?
The full day tour to Santa Margherita and Portofino includes visiting the picturesque resort of Santa Margherita, known for its grand hotels and villas, and the tiny town of Portofino, nestled in a protected inlet with colorful houses and plenty of bars and cafes. You can also visit San Giorgio church, which is said to contain relics of the dragon slayer himself.
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What can I expect during the visit to Villa Hanbury Gardens?
During the morning tour to Villa Hanbury Gardens, you will explore a dramatic 100-acre site on a promontory, planted with a wide range of specimens. The garden was laid out by Sir Thomas Hanbury in the mid-19th century.
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What will I see during the full day tour to Monaco?
During the full day tour to Monaco, you will visit the tiny principality known for its luxury. You can see the famous Grand Casino, Hotel de Paris, and the harbor filled with multi-million pound yachts. Monaco is also ruled by its famous royal family and is full of lavish hotels and luxury tower blocks.
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What are the highlights of the full day tour to Genoa?
The full day tour to Genoa includes visiting Italy's largest port, known for its impressive landmarks and glorious heritage. The old town is a medieval warren, part of which is UNESCO-listed, and is spotted with palazzi that have been converted into world-class museums and art galleries.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Sunday - Sunday
Dec 21, 2025 - Dec 28, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.