Grand Rivieras

Malaga, Barcelona, Avignon, Marseille, Nice Cinque Terre16 days

About

Experience a fabulous discovery of three culturally-rich rivieras of Spain, France and Italy. Explore the ‘sun coast’ of Spain and cosmopolitan Barcelona, soak up the atmosphere of lavender fields and stunning and sun-kissed hillsides of Provence, be swept away by the opulence and sophistication of the glamorous Cote d’Azure, with the final destination of the Cinque Terre region of Italy that’s set amid some of the most dramatic scenery on the plant.

You should experience it because...

Cars are banned from Italy’s Cinque Terre’s five villages that date from the early medieval period. Here, beautiful steeply terraced cliffs are divided by a complicated system of fields and gardens that have been shaped and layered over the course of nearly two millennia. It’s a wonderful sight.

Three cultures, three rivieras

Take the Cinque Terre narrow coastal trails that offer magnificent sea views, and sample the local cuisine and wines along the way.

See a window in to Catalan culture as you walk down La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous street, full of cultural centres, theatres and architecturally inspiring buildings.

Surreal doesn’t begin to describe the Dali Museum in Figueres, or the wild coast of the artist’s home at Cap de Creus.

Places covered 16 Days

Day 1-3 Malaga – sightseeing and attractions
Day 4 – 6 Barcelona – sightseeing and attractions
Day 7 Marseille – Avignon
Day 8 Avignon – Arles
Day 9 & 10 Provence – sightseeing and attractions
Day 10-13 Nice – Montecarlo
Day 13-16 Cinque Terre
Day 17 Depart (or option to go to Tuscany, Rome &the Amalfi Coast)

Days Details
1-3 Malaga, sightseeing and attractions Malaga is a world apart from the adjoining Costa del Sol and retains the charm of a historic Mediterranean port. The historic city centreis charming with its majestic Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, its narrow pedestrian streets, and some of the best tapas bars in the province. Visit Malaga’s Alcazaba that has been extensively restored. This palace-fortress dates from the 11thcentury Moorish period and is surrounded by lush greenery, lofty palms and fragrant jasmine bushes. The Museo Picasso Malaga has an enviable collection of 204 works, and includes some wonderful paintings of the family. Another remnant of Malaga’s Moorish past is the craggy ramparts of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, spectacularly located high on the hill overlooking the city. It dates back to the 8thcentury when Malaga was the main port for the emirate of Granada. A day trip to Granada is a Moorish delight. Soak in the history and drama of the Alhambra Palace, and weave your way through its alluring mix of tangled streets, Moorish architecture and sprawling medieval Moorish quarter. And the Capilla Real is a masterpiece of ornate Gothic style. The city rises majestically from a plain on to three hills that are dwarfed, on a clear day, by the Sierra Nevada. Atop one of these hills perches the reddish-gold Alhambra palace. Head off into real Andalucia to Seville for the day, and experience that special Andalucian way of life. There are more narrow, winding, and medieval lanes and squares to explore, more hidden plazas soaked in the scent of orange blossom, and so much Spanish tradition to enjoy including flamenco and bullfighting, and some incredible ancient architecture to see. If there’s one sight you must see it’s Seville’s immense cathedral, officially the biggest in the world, that stands on the site of the great 12thcentury Almohad mosque with the mosque’s minaret still towering beside it.
4-6 Barcelona, sightseeing and attractions Time to check-in to your accommodation and familiarise yourself with this vibrant and cosmopolitan city that’s full of festivals, cuisine, art, culture, and architecture. Barcelona is the perfect size to discover on foot, so spend time this first day wandering through the Parc de la Ciutadella or the Parc de Joan Miro, or get off the beaten track and head up to Horta. Fill up on tapas in the evening – plates of bite-sized goodies served with bread – they are a culinary trend in Barcelona. Or, if you’re up for it, immerse yourself in the world of flamenco at Tablao Flamenco in La Rambla. Barcelona is full of diverse cultures and heritages, and every step you take, you will stumble upon some of its history. Get an idea of the city’s historical wealth at the Museu d’Historia de Barcelona, and see the awe-inspiring medieval cathedral of La Sagrada Familia. Visit the Museo Picasso that focuses on the artist’s formative years, and feast your eyes on La Pedrera – a Gaudi masterpiece that was built in 1905-§0 as a combined apartment and office block. End the day with a tasty dinner at the tiny restaurant of La Vinateria del Call that serves delicious Iberian dishes including Galician octopus, and cider-cooked chorizo.
7 Marseille – Avignon Marseille boasts a glorious coastal setting, spectacular weather, great food, and a unique maritime vibrancy. Visit the new Musee des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranee that has an exterior of black filigree and wonderful views from the interior. See a revolving series of art exhibitions here that combine art, archeology and history of the Mediterranean. The city’s ‘station sanitaire’ has been converted into a fascinating museum that depicts the history of Marseille as a historic gateway to Europe. And the enormous neo-Byzantine Cathedrale de la Nouvelle Major boasts an exterior of green stone and white marble and an interior of elaborate mosaics. The Vieux Port (Old Port is the beating heart of the city. Take a relaxing stroll here and enjoy street musicians, concerts and dance.
8 Avignon – Arles Discover beautiful Avignon, ancient 'City of the Popes', with its impressive gothic Palace - Europe's largest - at its centre. Admire the four arches of the famous bridge, immortalised in the words of the popular French song, 'Sur le Pont d'Avignon'. Also visit the World Heritage Site of the Pont du Gard, a stunning 50m aqueduct that was constructed over two thousand years ago to bring water to the city of Nîmes. Arles is a charming Provencal city with a wealth of classical antiquities and Romanesque stonework, and shuttered town houses shading graceful Old Town streets and square. Visit the extraordinary Romanesque church of Eglise St-Triophime and the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh – he stayed here for 15 months as he was enchanted with Arles’s limpid light and vibrant landscape.
9 & 10 Provence – sightseeing and attractions Explore Aix-en-Provence with its leafy boulevards and public squares lined with 17th and 18th century mansions. Follow the Circuit de Cezanne (Cezanne Trail) to see where he ate, drank an studied and painted – the trail is marked by footpath-embedded bronze plaques inscribed with the letter C. Stroll along the Cours Mirabeau – a fountain-studded elegant avenue, sprinkled with elegant Renaissance hotels and lined with leafy plane treas. Housed in a 17th century priory of the Knights of Malta, the Musee Granet is named after the Provencal painter, Francois Maraius Granet, who donated a large number of works. Head off in to the Luberon region of Provence with its stone-built villas, forested crags, and beautiful nature. This region is dotted with countless picturesque Provencal villages just waiting to be discovered. Learn how lavender – the symbol of Provence – is transformed into luxurious essential oils and beauty products, and, in the summer, make a photo stop at Senanque Abbey to capture Provence’s beautiful lavender fields in full bloom. Drive through lush green hills, thick forests, stone villages, and castles perched on cliffs that cascade down to the idyllic lavender fields – this is Provence at its best. Continue to Gordes, an old town perched on the high Plateau de Vaucluse, overlooking the Luber on. And head to Coustellet for a stop at the Lavender Museum.
10-13 Nice – Montecarlo Everyone loves Nice with its year-round sunshine and universal appeal. Take a two-hour Vieux Nice Barque Tour or a themed tour such as art deco, neoclassical and belle-epoque Nice, and learn much more about the history and culture of this popular destination. Visit the Musee Matisse, about 2km north of the centre, and enjoy the fascinating assortment of works by Matisse. Hop on board the Train des Pignes that chugs between the mountains and the sea and is one of Provence’s most picturesque rides. It rises to 100km, with breathtaking views out to see. Head down to the Plage Publique des Ponchettes, Nice’s most popular beach, and swim in the warm clear blue Mediterranean sea. Try out one of Nice’s fabulous restaurant – La Table Alziari is run by the grandson of the famous Alziari olive oil family, and the day’s menu is always chalked on a blackboard. Squeezed into just 200 hectares, Monaco, with its capital Monte Carlo, might be the world’s second-smallest country (the Vatican is smaller). Monaco Ville, also called Le Rocher, points skywards on a tall rock and overlooks the sea. Built as a fortress in the 13th century, the palace is now the private residence of the Grimaldis – see the changing of the guard there, it takes place daily at 11am. For a glimpse into royal life, tour the state apartments at the Palais due Prince. Enjoy the aristocratic atmosphere, the lavish furnishings, and the expensive 18th and 19th century art.
13-16 Cinque Terre The rugged villages of Cinque Terre remain a world away from the bustle of Rome. Follow coastal trails and discover villages clustered on windswept cliffs and perched above beautiful coastlines. There are five villages – Monterosso al Mare, Varnazza, Corniglia, Manrola and Riomaggiore, and they are all part of a Unesco World Heritage Site. Take the Cinque Terre Coastal Trail from Riomaggiore to Monterosso and enjoy spectacular views. The trails connect each village and give wonderful views of the National Park and the Ligurian Sea. Hike and swim by day and sample the fresh seafood and local delicacies by night. Hop on a boat to Palmaria Island in the Gulf of La Spezia and Portovenere, the pretty town at the end of the Cinque Terre Peninsula. Take an guided excursion within the park, try diving in the Puntamesco Marine Reserve, cruise by traditional boat, or take a trip to Portofino for a walk to the beautiful nearby San Frutuouso Sanctuary.
17 Depart (or option to go to Tuscany, Rome &the Amalfi Coast)

€ 3,800 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 6-9 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary as applicable -All arrival and departure transfers -Entrance and excursion costs as indicated Travel is based on private coaches with Local guides . You do have the option of Independent travel .Get in Touch to discuss on how we could tailor the trip to suit you .

Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season

Summer is the high travel season in the Mediterranean. The weather is hot and sunny, the water is warm, and millions of people flock to the coast to soak up the sun and take a break from routine.. During the spring months, the flowers are blooming and the landscape is verdant, while autumn days are mild and clear before the winter rains.

Those wanting to travel earlier in the season can visit some of the more southern destinations as well as the larger Mediterranean islands. Cyprus and Malta are lovely in April, with warm days and pleasant nights. Late March through April is also an ideal time to visit Morocco, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and Turkey.

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About Us

Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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