Discover a walking holiday in the Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo
Discover the charms of Bordighera, a coastal town on the Italian Riviera, just 18 miles east of Monte Carlo. Famous for its perfect climate and seafront promenade, Bordighera is the ideal base for exploring the region. Today, it retains timeless elegance with quaint streets, historic landmarks, and its iconic palms, which the Vatican selects for Palm Sunday.
There are three guided walks. The first takes you to Taggia, a Ligurian old town, then to Old Bussana, a former ghost town abandoned after an 1887 earthquake and later repopulated by an international community of artists in the 1960s.
The next walk begins on Bordighera’s seafront and continues to Sasso, ending in Seborga—one of “The most beautiful villages of Italy.” With a palace fortress, cobblestone alleys, stunning views, rustic cuisine, and a ceremonial prince or princess, Seborga even has its own currency, stamps, and anthem. From its lookouts, you can see Monaco on clear days.
An optional excursion takes you to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Nice. The villa, built for socialite and art enthusiast Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, is surrounded by nine themed gardens, each unique and breathtaking. Then explore Nice, one of France’s most beautiful cities, a historic haven for monarchs, artists, and writers.
Your final walk begins in Menton, the last French Riviera town before Italy, and leads to Roquebrune Village, perched high above the Mediterranean. The trail bridges past and present, from its medieval streets to Cap Moderne, and ends in Monte Carlo, Monaco. This glamorous city, home to the famous casino and 700 years of Grimaldi history, dazzles with gold, marble, frescoes, and breathtaking views.
Holiday Highlights
- 7 nights half board on the Italian Riviera
- One hour complimentary pass for the Spa & Wellness Centre at the hotel
- Three included walks
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Optional excursion to Villa Rothschild and Nice
- Included walking excursion to Monte Carlo
Itinerary
Day One – Arrival Day
Flight to Nice. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, Hotel Parigi for seven nights half board accommodation. Transfer time 45 minutes.
Day Two – Walk 1 – Taggia to Bussana Vecchia
Coach transfer to Taggia which claims to be home to Italy’s longest medieval bridge. You will walk through the old town, and then climb through smart villas, olive trees and greenhouses, following the old road and country paths as far as Old Bussana – one of those ‘must see’ places. What was a completely empty village following the 1887 earthquake has become home to a Bohemian artist community, which took root in the 1960’s – not without controversy. 5 miles, 250m ascent.
Day Three – Free Day
Explore your destination at your own pace.
Day Four – Walk 2 – Bordighera to Sasso & the Princedom of Seborga
Today’s walk starts at the seafront in Bordighera, passing through the old town, before following an old watercourse through a valley of palm trees to the pretty hamlet of Sasso. You then take the old road to the village of Seborga. This walk is 9 miles there and back, ascent/descent of 500m. If you wish to walk a shorter distance, you can catch the local bus from Sasso or Seborga to Bordighera.
Day Five – Optional excursion to Villa Rothschild & Nice
Free day or you can join our optional excursion to Villa Rothschild and Nice, departing at 0915. You will travel along the spectacular lower cornice passing Beaulieu to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located on Cap-Ferrat. The Italianate, pink-coloured property is luxuriously furnished, has splendid sea views and is encircled by no less than nine beautiful gardens, each following a different theme. After your visit, you continue to Nice for lunch (not included) and free time, returning to the hotel via the even more spectacular middle corniche.
Day Six – Walk 3 – Monte Carlo
You travel by coach transfer to Menton, where you will alight and walk up to Roquebrune village, before descending towards Monte Carlo. Roquebrune, on Mont Gros, is a favourite place for hang-gliders, and has fine views of Monte Carlo. Once you reach Monaco, you will experience a magnificent panorama of the port of the Principality and the rest of the lower town as well. You can take some time and do some sightseeing of your own in Monte-Carlo and get familiar with the Principality, before you re-join the coach to return to Bordighera, just 18 miles away. 7 miles, 200m of ascent/descent.
Day Seven – Free day
Free Day in resort.
Day Eight – Departure Day
Free time until your transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Set on Bordighera’s beachfront near the French Riviera, Hotel Parigi offers a private beach with sun beds and umbrellas. On the pedestrian promenade and close to Liguria’s longest cycle path, the family-run hotel has quiet, air-conditioned rooms with balconies, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with showers, baths, or spa tubs.
The restaurant serves traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a wine cellar, while the 5th-floor wellness centre features a sauna, steam room, solarium, and hot tub/jacuzzi with a complimentary one-hour pass. Free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk are provided.
The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Bordighera’s centre and 20 minutes from Sanremo.
Hotel Features
Location
Reviews
Average Review Score:
"The location was good, the hotel was clean, the walks were varied and we had good weather warm and sunny every day"
Pauline KThe guide was excellent.
Kenny DThe walking guide Sylvia was excellent.
Danuta SHotel location is lovely. Rooms are nice.
Caron DWe thoroughly enjoyed the holiday overall.
Graham W