France & Italy: Nice to Genoa

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat; 4-6 miles, easy to moderate

After enjoying an included breakfast at your hotel your guides meet you at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of your hotel. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking. Hiking shoes are required.

Travel this morning to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a stunning coastal walk. This scenic wooded peninsula reaching out into the Mediterranean Sea has hosted celebrities and diplomats since the 1950s. But you leave the jet-set behind for a spectacular stroll along the Sentier Littoral (Coastal Path), a trail that skirts a rocky landscape, and affords splendid ocean vistas. Along the way, you pass an old quarry that was mined to build parts of Monaco, gaze at sun-bleached limestone dramatically set against bright blue water, and admire sparkling coves. Be on the lookout for serene sailboats skimming along the ocean and glimpse the graceful balconies of the grand Belle Epoque manses set amidst these fragrant pine forests. Your footpath begins in the shade of lush foliage and pine, in Villefranche-Sur-Mer, catching peeks of the bright pink bougainvillea that is ubiquitous. The invigorating seaside walk culminates at a local restaurant, where your efforts are rewarded with a typical salad Niçoise, quiche, or fresh pasta. (An optional loop around the harbor is offered, time- and weather-permitting.)

Afterward, pop over to the nearby Villa Ephrussi, a palatial hilltop home once owned by the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, where you take time to stroll the beautifully manicured gardens and peruse the massive art collection, admiring the 18th-century paintings, antique furniture, and Flemish tapestries.

Your journey continues (via minibus) to the relaxed town of Menton, straddling the Côte d’Azur on the Italian border. Nicknamed the “Pearl of France,” this charming old town enchants, with its cobbled lanes shaded by citrus trees and a rich canvas of remarkably preserved 13th-century mansions and lovely pastel-hued houses. Bathed in sunlight most days, this is the warmest part of France, enjoying its own near-subtropical climate and a rich array of cultural institutions—museums, galleries, gardens and an ancient monastery.

After settling in at your comfortable hotel, gather this evening with your guides for an aperitif and orientation meeting. Then, savor a dinner of outstanding Mediterranean cuisine. Your menu varies by what’s fresh and available. You might enjoy a mouthwatering seafood ceviche or tuna tartare, fresh-caught sea bass en sel (in a salt crust), or rack of lamb in a pistachio crust. Your meal is sourced locally and from this Alpes-Maritimes region of France. A crisp local white wine or hearty red will complement every bite. For dessert, sample the region’s artisanal sorbet or gelato.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5-7 miles, easy to moderate, 850-ft. elevation gain and loss

You awaken to the smell of café au lait (coffee with steamed milk). A typical French breakfast of cheeses, yogurt, cereals, juices, pastries, bread, and fresh fruit fuels you up for the morning’s exploration. Your morning destination is the nearby Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, nestled between Menton and the glitzy city-state of Monaco. You follow a relatively unspoiled path, skirting the peninsula and marveling at more Mediterranean views. As you climb the hundreds of steps to the village, you will understand why this trail is called the “Balcony of the Côte d´Azur.” On higher ground, you arrive in Roquebrune, a sleepy medieval village watched over by a 10th-century castle. Be sure to find your way to the Place du Capitaine Vincent for splendid panoramas of the sea and Monaco. Visit its castle—the central tower is said to be the oldest in France—and see the other pride of the village: a 1,000-year-old olive tree. Your morning is rewarded with a delicious lunch on a scenic terrace (weather permitting).

After, return to Menton along an easier path that gradually descends to town, or hop on the minibus for a ride to the hotel. This afternoon, you have options for further walking and exploration. First, enjoy a self-guided walk along another section of the Sentier Littoral. This scenic route is part of the old Sentier des Douaniers—or Customs Path. Established in 1791 during the Revolution, it was traveled by emperors and smugglers alike. Pause at stunning beaches as you go, including the magnificent Plage Buse.

Or perhaps visit two jewels of local architecture that serve as a dramatic study in contrasts—Le Corbusier’s log-cabin Cabanon (part of a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Eileen Gray’s seaside modernist villa known as “E-1027” (listed as a French Historic Monument). To reach these historic properties, follow the Sentier Littoral to the section known as the Promenade Le Corbusier. (Reservations are required in order to tour). For further information, visit: capmoderne.monuments-nationaux.fr/

Alternately, spend time exploring the treasures of Menton. Browse the fascinating collection of the Jean Cocteau Museum, a chronicle of the writer-filmmaker’s works. Stroll the magnificent villa and gardens of Les Colombières, perched in the hills above town. Or explore the Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh, a lush botanical garden of exotic species and palm-lined pathways.

Dinner is on your own this evening. You’ll find that Menton offers a bounty of choices, including Mirazur, the restaurant rated #1 in the world in 2019 by the “World’s 50 Best” committee. If you plan to dine here, reservations are required well in advance.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3.5 miles, moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain and 2.0 miles, moderate to challenging, 1,000-ft. elevation loss

Bid farewell to France this morning as you prepare for today’s walk in the hills of the tranquil Val Nervia. Begin the day with a border crossing into Italy. Then you lace up your shoes for some of the most beautiful walks you’ll ever take.

You explore a stunning trio of Italian villages today. Stop first at Apricale (meaning “exposed to the sun”), an impossibly scenic (and sunny!) village rising from the forested hills of Liguria that was once an important stronghold. It enjoys status as one of the “most beautiful villages of Italy.” Meander through its medieval cobbled alleyways and pause for a cappuccino. Continue your hike along an ancient mule track, tracing the route of medieval traders. Your morning trail climbs steadily through wild broom, chestnut, oak, and olive trees, and leads to the pretty village of Perinaldo, where you have time to explore before continuing on to lunch at a special agriturismo, or farm estate, nearby. You receive a warm welcome at this working farm, and savor a well-deserved lunch perhaps beginning with pizzetta fritta alla Ligure (mini pizzas Ligurian style), and followed with a dish of homemade ravioli with pesto, accompanied by a glass of the locally produced, ruby-red Rossese wine.

After lunch, follow your trail along a high plateau amidst olive groves to a small chapel with beautiful views. Here the trail continues on a steep and rocky descent all the way to Dolceacqua (“sugar water”). Also rated one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy,” this magical hamlet straddling the River Nervia was immortalized by impressionist painter Claude Monet when he stayed in nearby Bordighera in 1884. What captivated Monet most was the village’s graceful, arched 15th-century bridge, the Ponte Vecchio. It’s sure to captivate you, too, as you gaze across from the cluster of the Old Town. (There is an option to avoid the downhill trail and spend extra time in the village by getting a lift from the dedicated driver at the junction with the small chapel.) You might wish to sample the traditional Dolceacqua cookie, the michette, and peruse the shops, galleries, and boutiques. There’ll be time to explore its hillside cobbled streets and view its medieval castle before you journey next to Alassio, a sleepy seaside town with a long sandy beach where a stylish seafront hotel (and an aperitivo!) await. Tonight, dinner is on your own; your guides will have plenty of recommendations.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5 miles, easy to moderate, 600-ft. elevation gain and 800-ft. elevation loss

After a fabulous breakfast, depart Alassio for the hills below Monte Guardiabella and the Ligurian Alps. Today you take an invigorating hike through history, tracing the paths of ancient Romans and even those who came here before them. Your trail links the towns of Gazzelli and Chiusanico, renowned for their olive oils and wines. Pass through chestnut and oak woods, skirting groves of olive trees and vineyards, and dotted with wildflowers and poppies in springtime. Throughout this beautiful walk, you enjoy fabulous vistas of the surrounding perched villages and Monte Guardiabella in the distance.

Pause for lunch today at a family restaurant and wine estate. The menu del giorno always features fresh and delicious seasonal and local fare: Perhaps dine on homemade tagliolini (local pasta) with artichokes or gnocchi with speck (ham) and saffron; quiche with sausage and leeks; zucchini, basil, and onion fritters (or frittelle). For dessert, indulge in a delectable olive oil torta or freshly baked fruit crostata.

After lunch, stroll just down the hill to visit an olive oil museum. During a fascinating tour, you learn about olive oil production, both past and present, and about the history of the olive oil export industry. (You may have the chance to sample different grades of the liquid gold as well!) Return to Alassio late this afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy another evening on your own for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4 miles, easy

Begin today with a short train ride to nearby Albenga, nicknamed “the city of a hundred spires.” Albenga has done a good job to preserve its ancient Roman architecture and boasts a series of impressive medieval towers. Wind your way through the narrow alleys and visit a stunning chapel and the beautifully maintained 5th century Baptistry, the city’s gem. After time to explore, leave the old city behind as you climb along the ancient Roman Way, also known as the Via Julia Augusta. Opened by Emperor Augustus in 13 AD., this road was built to link the Po Valley to Gaul and Spain. While some sections are now dirt or even paved, short sections still include the original stones. Along the way, pass a number of funerary enclosures, ancient family tombs, and sweeping views of the coast and Gallinara Island.

On your return to Alassio, enjoy and independent lunch at one of the many seafront eateries or at one of the popular focaccerias or pizzerias. After, perhaps take a swim at the hotel’s sandy beach or explore the many shops and galleries in town. You might want to pop into one of the traditional pasticcerias to sample the local confection, baci di Alassio, dark chocolate ganache between two hazelnut and cocoa biscuits as you stroll! Later, join your fellow travelers for another memorable meal of local specialties at a nearby ristorante.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain and loss

Savor a final breakfast at your seafront hotel. Then you journey to the Riviera delle Palme, stretching between Alassio and Savona. Named for the thousands of palm trees lining its sandy beaches, this former consular route was built to connect ancient Rome and France. As you stroll this scenic byway, more astonishing Mediterranean coast unfolds before you. Pass through Verezzi en route. This charming hillside village actually comprises four smaller villages, while Verezzi itself is also half of the larger village of Borgio Verezzi, with Borgio enjoying a location on the sea. Admire the enchanting cobbled lanes, white terraces and small houses leaning on each other.

Enjoy a final lunch today in one of the local villages—Finalborgo, Crosa, Verezzi, or Borgio, depending on your timing. After, you stroll just outside of Finalborgo, another of Italy’s “most beautiful villages.” Here, our friend, Alessandro is the third generation to operate a farming estate; his iteration emphasizes the “slow food” movement. During your visit, learn about the exotic chinotto, the oldest surviving medieval fruit, as you stroll the property. The fruit originated in China and provides many health benefits. You’ll learn about them as you sample the family’s marmalades.

After, you travel to your final destination, Genoa. Known as La Superba—the Superb One—to locals, this coastal gem ruled over the mightiest maritime empire in medieval Europe. Today, as the capital of Liguria, it is an underrated treasure—many layered and wholly authentic. Your hotel is said to be the oldest in Italy, a Belle Arte jewel in an ornate 19th-century building. Settle in and relax before gathering nearby for a festive and memorable farewell dinner at a very special restaurant—said to be the Pope’s pesto provider.

Your fresh and creatively prepared meal might start with a famous pasta fresca, made with their world-renowned pesto. Move on to Santa Margherita shrimps in saffron sauce, or perhaps the pansotto Genovese. Or, it may be a fritto misto of the catch of the day or a bluefin tuna seared three ways. Whatever is on the menu, it will give you another reason to toast your discoveries along the French and Italian Rivieras.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Awake to a bountiful Genovese breakfast. Then leave the hotel on foot for a walking tour of some of the city highlights. A lucrative and powerful maritime past enriched Genoa during the Middle Ages. Much of its art and architecture from the era remains, including more than 100 palazzi (palaces) dating to the 16th and 17th centuries. Your tour culminates at one of them, where you sample freshly baked focaccia with pesto and a glass of crisp white wine.

Back at the hotel (by 11:30 a.m.), your France & Italy: Nice to Genoa tour concludes in time for you to seek out lunch on your own. We provide detailed city information to help you plan the remainder of your day.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat; 4-6 miles, easy to moderate

Your guides meet you at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of Hotel Masséna in Nice, France. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking. Hiking shoes are required.

Travel this morning to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a stunning coastal walk. This scenic wooded peninsula reaching out into the Mediterranean Sea has hosted celebrities and diplomats since the 1950s. But you leave the jet-set behind for a spectacular stroll along the Sentier Littoral (Coastal Path), a trail that skirts a rocky landscape, and affords splendid ocean vistas. Along the way, you pass an old quarry that was mined to build parts of Monaco, gaze at sun-bleached limestone dramatically set against bright blue water, and admire sparkling coves. Be on the lookout for serene sailboats skimming along the ocean and glimpse the graceful balconies of the grand Belle Epoque manses set amidst these fragrant pine forests. Your footpath begins in the shade of lush foliage and pine, in Villefranche-Sur-Mer, catching peeks of the bright pink bougainvillea that is ubiquitous. The invigorating seaside walk culminates at a local restaurant, where your efforts are rewarded with a typical salad Niçoise, quiche, or fresh pasta. (An optional loop around the harbor is offered, time- and weather-permitting.)

Afterward, pop over to the nearby Villa Ephrussi, a palatial hilltop home once owned by the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, where you take time to stroll the beautifully manicured gardens and peruse the massive art collection, admiring the 18th-century paintings, antique furniture, and Flemish tapestries.

Your journey continues (via minibus) to the relaxed town of Menton, straddling the Côte d’Azur on the Italian border. Nicknamed the “Pearl of France,” this charming old town enchants, with its cobbled lanes shaded by citrus trees and a rich canvas of remarkably preserved 13th-century mansions and lovely pastel-hued houses. Bathed in sunlight most days, this is the warmest part of France, enjoying its own near-subtropical climate and a rich array of cultural institutions—museums, galleries, gardens and an ancient monastery.

After settling in at your comfortable hotel, gather this evening with your guides for an aperitif and orientation meeting. Then, savor a dinner of outstanding Mediterranean cuisine. Your menu varies by what’s fresh and available. You might enjoy a mouthwatering seafood ceviche or tuna tartare, fresh-caught sea bass en sel (in a salt crust), or rack of lamb in a pistachio crust. Your meal is sourced locally and from this Alpes-Maritimes region of France. A crisp local white wine or hearty red will complement every bite. For dessert, sample the region’s artisanal sorbet or gelato.

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

5-7 miles, easy to moderate, 850-ft. elevation gain and loss

You awaken to the smell of café au lait (coffee with steamed milk). A typical French breakfast of cheeses, yogurt, cereals, juices, pastries, bread, and fresh fruit fuels you up for the morning’s exploration. Your morning destination is the nearby Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, nestled between Menton and the glitzy city-state of Monaco. You follow a relatively unspoiled path, skirting the peninsula and marveling at more Mediterranean views. As you climb the hundreds of steps to the village, you will understand why this trail is called the “Balcony of the Côte d´Azur.” On higher ground, you arrive in Roquebrune, a sleepy medieval village watched over by a 10th-century castle. Be sure to find your way to the Place du Capitaine Vincent for splendid panoramas of the sea and Monaco. Visit its castle—the central tower is said to be the oldest in France—and see the other pride of the village: a 1,000-year-old olive tree. Your morning is rewarded with a delicious lunch on a scenic terrace (weather permitting).

After, return to Menton along an easier path that gradually descends to town, or hop on the minibus for a ride to the hotel. This afternoon, you have options for further walking and exploration. First, enjoy a self-guided walk along another section of the Sentier Littoral. This scenic route is part of the old Sentier des Douaniers—or Customs Path. Established in 1791 during the Revolution, it was traveled by emperors and smugglers alike. Pause at stunning beaches as you go, including the magnificent Plage Buse.

Or perhaps visit two jewels of local architecture that serve as a dramatic study in contrasts—Le Corbusier’s log-cabin Cabanon (part of a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Eileen Gray’s seaside modernist villa known as “E-1027” (listed as a French Historic Monument). To reach these historic properties, follow the Sentier Littoral to the section known as the Promenade Le Corbusier. (Reservations are required in order to tour). For further information, visit: capmoderne.monuments-nationaux.fr/

Alternately, spend time exploring the treasures of Menton. Browse the fascinating collection of the Jean Cocteau Museum, a chronicle of the writer-filmmaker’s works. Stroll the magnificent villa and gardens of Les Colombières, perched in the hills above town. Or explore the Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh, a lush botanical garden of exotic species and palm-lined pathways.

Dinner is on your own this evening. You’ll find that Menton offers a bounty of choices, including Mirazur, the restaurant rated #1 in the world in 2019 by the “World’s 50 Best” committee. If you plan to dine here, reservations are required well in advance.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

3.5 miles, moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain and 2.0 miles, moderate to challenging, 1,000-ft. elevation loss

Bid farewell to France this morning as you prepare for today’s walk in the hills of the tranquil Val Nervia. Begin the day with a border crossing into Italy. Then you lace up your shoes for some of the most beautiful walks you’ll ever take.

You explore a stunning trio of Italian villages today. Stop first at Apricale (meaning “exposed to the sun”), an impossibly scenic (and sunny!) village rising from the forested hills of Liguria that was once an important stronghold. It enjoys status as one of the “most beautiful villages of Italy.” Meander through its medieval cobbled alleyways and pause for a cappuccino. Continue your hike along an ancient mule track, tracing the route of medieval traders. Your morning trail climbs steadily through wild broom, chestnut, oak, and olive trees, and leads to the pretty village of Perinaldo, where you have time to explore before continuing on to lunch at a special agriturismo, or farm estate, nearby. You receive a warm welcome at this working farm, and savor a well-deserved lunch perhaps beginning with pizzetta fritta alla Ligure (mini pizzas Ligurian style), and followed with a dish of homemade ravioli with pesto, accompanied by a glass of the locally produced, ruby-red Rossese wine.

After lunch, follow your trail along a high plateau amidst olive groves to a small chapel with beautiful views. Here the trail continues on a steep and rocky descent all the way to Dolceacqua (“sugar water”). Also rated one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy,” this magical hamlet straddling the River Nervia was immortalized by impressionist painter Claude Monet when he stayed in nearby Bordighera in 1884. What captivated Monet most was the village’s graceful, arched 15th-century bridge, the Ponte Vecchio. It’s sure to captivate you, too, as you gaze across from the cluster of the Old Town. (There is an option to avoid the downhill trail and spend extra time in the village by getting a lift from the dedicated driver at the junction with the small chapel.) You might wish to sample the traditional Dolceacqua cookie, the michette, and peruse the shops, galleries, and boutiques. There’ll be time to explore its hillside cobbled streets and view its medieval castle before you journey next to Alassio, a sleepy seaside town with a long sandy beach where a stylish seafront hotel (and an aperitivo!) await. Tonight, dinner is on your own; your guides will have plenty of recommendations.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5 miles, easy to moderate, 600-ft. elevation gain and 800-ft. elevation loss

After a fabulous breakfast, depart Alassio for the hills below Monte Guardiabella and the Ligurian Alps. Today you take an invigorating hike through history, tracing the paths of ancient Romans and even those who came here before them. Your trail links the towns of Gazzelli and Chiusanico, renowned for their olive oils and wines. Pass through chestnut and oak woods, skirting groves of olive trees and vineyards, and dotted with wildflowers and poppies in springtime. Throughout this beautiful walk, you enjoy fabulous vistas of the surrounding perched villages and Monte Guardiabella in the distance.

Pause for lunch today at a family restaurant and wine estate. The menu del giorno always features fresh and delicious seasonal and local fare: Perhaps dine on homemade tagliolini (local pasta) with artichokes or gnocchi with speck (ham) and saffron; quiche with sausage and leeks; zucchini, basil, and onion fritters (or frittelle). For dessert, indulge in a delectable olive oil torta or freshly baked fruit crostata.

After lunch, stroll just down the hill to visit an olive oil museum. During a fascinating tour, you learn about olive oil production, both past and present, and about the history of the olive oil export industry. (You may have the chance to sample different grades of the liquid gold as well!) Return to Alassio late this afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy another evening on your own for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4 miles, easy

Begin today with a short train ride to nearby Albenga, nicknamed “the city of a hundred spires.” Albenga has done a good job to preserve its ancient Roman architecture and boasts a series of impressive medieval towers. Wind your way through the narrow alleys and visit a stunning chapel and the beautifully maintained 5th century Baptistry, the city’s gem. After time to explore, leave the old city behind as you climb along the ancient Roman Way, also known as the Via Julia Augusta. Opened by Emperor Augustus in 13 AD., this road was built to link the Po Valley to Gaul and Spain. While some sections are now dirt or even paved, short sections still include the original stones. Along the way, pass a number of funerary enclosures, ancient family tombs, and sweeping views of the coast and Gallinara Island.

On your return to Alassio, enjoy and independent lunch at one of the many seafront eateries or at one of the popular focaccerias or pizzerias. After, perhaps take a swim at the hotel’s sandy beach or explore the many shops and galleries in town. You might want to pop into one of the traditional pasticcerias to sample the local confection, baci di Alassio, dark chocolate ganache between two hazelnut and cocoa biscuits as you stroll! Later, join your fellow travelers for another memorable meal of local specialties at a nearby ristorante.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain and loss

Savor a final breakfast at your seafront hotel. Then you journey to the Riviera delle Palme, stretching between Alassio and Savona. Named for the thousands of palm trees lining its sandy beaches, this former consular route was built to connect ancient Rome and France. As you stroll this scenic byway, more astonishing Mediterranean coast unfolds before you. Pass through Verezzi en route. This charming hillside village actually comprises four smaller villages, while Verezzi itself is also half of the larger village of Borgio Verezzi, with Borgio enjoying a location on the sea. Admire the enchanting cobbled lanes, white terraces and small houses leaning on each other.

Enjoy a final lunch today in one of the local villages—Finalborgo, Crosa, Verezzi, or Borgio, depending on your timing. After, you stroll just outside of Finalborgo, another of Italy’s “most beautiful villages.” Here, our friend, Alessandro is the third generation to operate a farming estate; his iteration emphasizes the “slow food” movement. During your visit, learn about the exotic chinotto, the oldest surviving medieval fruit, as you stroll the property. The fruit originated in China and provides many health benefits. You’ll learn about them as you sample the family’s marmalades.

After, you travel to your final destination, Genoa. Known as La Superba—the Superb One—to locals, this coastal gem ruled over the mightiest maritime empire in medieval Europe. Today, as the capital of Liguria, it is an underrated treasure—many layered and wholly authentic. Your hotel is said to be the oldest in Italy, a Belle Arte jewel in an ornate 19th-century building. Settle in and relax before gathering nearby for a festive and memorable farewell dinner at a very special restaurant—said to be the Pope’s pesto provider.

Your fresh and creatively prepared meal might start with a famous pasta fresca, made with their world-renowned pesto. Move on to Santa Margherita shrimps in saffron sauce, or perhaps the pansotto Genovese. Or, it may be a fritto misto of the catch of the day or a bluefin tuna seared three ways. Whatever is on the menu, it will give you another reason to toast your discoveries along the French and Italian Rivieras.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Awake to a bountiful Genovese breakfast. Then leave the hotel on foot for a walking tour of some of the city highlights. A lucrative and powerful maritime past enriched Genoa during the Middle Ages. Much of its art and architecture from the era remains, including more than 100 palazzi (palaces) dating to the 16th and 17th centuries. Your tour culminates at one of them, where you sample freshly baked focaccia with pesto and a glass of crisp white wine.

Back at the hotel (by 11:30 a.m.) your France & Italy: Nice to Genoa tour concludes in time for you to seek out lunch on your own. Make connections for onward travel, or continue your independent exploration of Genoa.

Included Meals: Breakfast