4* Diano Marina and the Italian Riviera

Holiday Highlights

The beautiful Italian Riviera of Flowers, lapped by the warm waters of the sparkling Mediterranean, is a true holiday paradise. The region has been a firm favourite since Edwardian times and is renowned for lots of warm sunshine, picturesque coves and clear blue skies. The wide, sweeping bays have a backdrop of hills, their slopes clad in olive groves and pine, lemon and orange trees.

Book today with a low deposit of just £250

Duration

8 days

Price

from £1599

The Riviera of Flowers is everything its name suggests, ablaze with thousands and thousands of exotic blooms in a magnificent coastal setting. This exuberant coast is dotted with idyllic resorts, from Ventimiglia in the north to La Spezia in the south. Our resort, Diano Marina, is one of the prettiest resorts on the Riviera with its seemingly endless stretch of sandy beachfront and a palm-lined promenade backed by pastel-coloured houses and dramatic hills.

Dating back to Roman times, Diano Marina today offers plenty of characterful streets, with lots of pavement cafes where you can relax over a refreshing cool drink, Bargain hunters will find a wide variety of fascinating shops selling Italian handicrafts including inlaid woodwork, lace, leather goods and hand carved cameos. For the evenings you can choose pavement cafes, ice cream parlours, bars and taverns, which are interspersed with superb restaurants and cosy trattorias.

Diano Marina is also an ideal base for our included sightseeing excursions, with Monaco and Monte Carlo, Portofino, Dolceaqua and Ventimiglia all within easy reach. And when you want to take things easy Diano Marina is ideal for you too, with peaceful walks through the colourful gardens and along the beautiful promenade.

With a prime location in the heart of the Riviera and within easy reach of so many interesting places, plus one of the coast’s best beaches, Diano Marina is a fantastic choice for a relaxing holiday on the Italian Riviera of Flowers.

Dates and Prices

Included in price

7 nights in our 4 star hotel
14 Meals:
7 buffet continental breakfasts
7 evening dinners with menu choice
Twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Excursion to Ventimiglia and Dolceaqua
Excursion to Monaco and Monte Carlo
Excursion to Portofino and Santa Margherita
Air-conditioned coach travel on the excursions
Return flights to Nice
One hold suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person
Return transfers between the airport and hotel
Services of a Mistral Holidays Tour Manager on included excursions
ATOL Protected

— Diano Marina —

— Dolceacqua —

— Italian Riviera —

— Monaco —

— Monte Carlo —

— Ventigmilia —

— Portofino —

Accommodation

Hotel Bellevue et Mediterranne - 4 star

Directly on the blue Mediterranean Sea, and boasting its own beach in addition to its swimming pools and ample sun terraces, this hotel is the perfect place to relax.

The award-winning 4 star Hotel Bellevue et Mediterranne is set right on the seafront of Diano Maina and is an immaculate and well maintained hotel that has been family run for many years. This well renowned hotel is located a short stroll from the resort centre and is beautifully designed, with a lovely relaxing lounge and bar area which opens out onto the heated swimming pool, sun terrace and beach.

The breakfast lounge overlooks the Gulf. The breakfasts are buffet style continental with cereals, fresh fruit and home made pastries. Evening dinners are served in the restaurant, which also overlooks the Gulf of Diano. There is a choice of menu for the evening dinners (from the second day), including a vegetarian choice. The menus include typical Ligurian and Italian dishes and international cuisine. The restaurant has a well stocked wine cellar with a wide selection of local wines to have with your dinner, all the while enjoying the view of the sea and of the beautiful mediaeval village of Cervo. There is also a coffee shop and bar with indoor and outdoor seating, which are the ideal places for a morning coffee or to meet friends for an apertif or after dinner drink.

All of the twin and double bedrooms have a balcony and are comfortably furnished and feature a TV, telephone and a well-appointed en-suite bathroom. Bedrooms with a balcony and sea view and Superior bedrooms with a balcony and sea view, are available for a supplement.

The hotel has its own private sandy beach, open from the end of May to the end of September, which has ample sunbeds and beach umbrellas and is free of charge - the perfect place to relax on the days without an excursion. There is also a good sized outdoor swimming pool, again open from the end of May to the end of September (weather permitting), and a smaller, heated indoor pool which opens in May.

Italian Riviera Holidays Beach Front Hotel

— Bellevue Beach —

— 4 star Bellevue Hotel —

— Standard bedroom —

— Superior bedroom with sea view —

— Breakfast Lounge —

— Sea View Restaurant —

— Swimming Pool —

— Beach Bar —

Dates and Prices

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Nice: Our holiday begins with the flight to Nice where you will be met by our representative for the transfer to our hotel in Diano Marina.
Days 2 - 7: During our stay we have arranged a superb programme of three included excursions and sightseeing trips to enable you to discover the very best of Italy's 'Riviera of Flowers' and Monaco . There are also two days at leisure, when you can relax in the comfortable surroundings of our hotel or explore our resort and nearby attractions.
Monaco and Monte Carlo - Included: The tiny Principality of Monaco, which lies between France and Italy, is home to the rich and famous and the scene of one of the most dramatic motor races in history! One of the most popular landmarks is the Royal Palace, the home today of Prince Albert. Other sights not to be missed include the opulent casino and the beautiful Cathedral where the lovely Princess Grace was married and then tragically, all too soon, laid to rest.

Portofino and Santa Margherita - Included: Portofino, once a tiny fishing village, now the Italian Riviera’s most exclusive resort, needs little introduction. Portofino’s harbour is filled with the yachts of the rich and famous and its pedestrianised streets are lined with stylish restaurants and chic designer boutiques. Not to be missed is a walk up to St. George’s church and on to the lighthouse, from which there are some fabulous views. Neighbouring Santa Margherita dates back to Roman times and is another old fishing village turned seaside resort.

Ventimiglia and Dolceaqua - Included: Experience the hustle and bustle of market day in the border town of Ventimiglia. Here, Italians and their French neighbours mingle in search of bargains. Particularly cheap are the various local handicrafts and leather goods, including handbags, belts and shoes. This afternoon we’ll go into the mountains behind the Riviera, where the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and visit Dolceaqua, a delightful village of stone built houses which enjoys a picture perfect setting. The village is divided in two by the Nervia River, crossed by the 33 metre long 15th century humpbacked bridge. Described by Claude Monet as “a jewel of lightness”, you’re sure to recognise the bridge from paintings by the artist.
Day 8 - Fly home: Today, at the appropriate time, we transfer to Nice airport to take the return flight to the UK.

Dates and Prices