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FIVE Iconic Carnivals in France & Italy

Tour start date(s):	06-02-2027
Duration:	8 days/7 nights
Location:	Venice (arrival) – Mestre (2 nights) – Verona (1 night) – Genoa (1 night) – Menton – Èze – Nice (3 nights, departure)
Price (including tax):	DBL: $2,560.00 US, SNGL: $3,350.00 US (flights not included)

Why Choose This Tour?

A rare opportunity to experience FIVE of Europe’s most iconic carnivals — three in Italy and two in France in one unforgettable journey.
Take part in the legendary historic masked Carnival of Venice, the most famous carnival in the world.
Explore romantic Verona and join the traditional Papa Gnocco Carnival, one of the oldest in Europe.
Enjoy the sweet and delicious Carnival of Genoa, and witness the dramatic evening burning of the Carnival King.
Participate in the world-famous Battle of Flowers in Nice, with reserved grandstand seating included.
Discover the magical city built entirely from lemons during the Lemon Festival in Menton.
Exclusive bonus from our company: Participation in the Illuminated Parade of Giants in Nice, with grandstand tickets included.
Travel between Italy and France by comfortable private coach, following one of the most scenic routes along the Riviera of Flowers on the Ligurian coast.
Enjoy two romantic evening walking tours — in Nice and Verona.
Visit the hilltop village of Èze, offering unforgettable panoramic views of the French Riviera.
Tour a renowned French perfume house, with the opportunity to purchase exclusive fragrances.
Airport transfers included from ANY flight, both on arrival and departure — travel stress-free.

An unforgettable adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime!

February 6, 2027 (Friday): Arrival in Italy – Venice (Marco Polo Airport)
Your journey begins upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport. A group transfer from one selected flight will take you to your hotel in Mestre. Hotel check-in by passport details; rooms available from 3:00 PM. Time to relax after your flight.
Overnight in Mestre.

February 7, 2027 (Saturday): Celebrating the Venice Carnival!
After breakfast and meeting our guide in the hotel lobby, we travel to Venice by train (approx. 10 minutes) to immerse ourselves in the legendary Venice Carnival!

During Carnival, the city no longer belongs to locals — it transforms into a living movie set straight out of the 18th century. You’ll stroll among the mascheri — passionate Carnival participants dressed in luxurious silk, velvet, and brocade costumes worth thousands of euros. They pose theatrically against palace backdrops, allowing everyone to take photos.

Jugglers, fire-eaters, and musicians perform throughout the city. You’re encouraged to wear a mask yourself — we can purchase beautiful handcrafted masks at a local shop recommended by our guide — to truly become part of the celebration.

Of course, we’ll sample iconic Carnival sweets, cicchetti with traditional cod cream, and enjoy an Aperol Spritz.
A full day in Venice, swept up in the whirl of Carnival festivities.
Return to Mestre. Overnight in Mestre.

February 8, 2027 (Sunday): Verona – Shakespeare’s Whisper & the City of Love. Papa Gnocco Carnival
After breakfast and meeting our guide, we check out and depart by coach for Verona — known across Italy as the “City of Love.”

We’ll see the monumental pink-marble Roman Arena, Italy’s third-largest amphitheater with over 2,000 years of history. Once home to gladiator battles and medieval tournaments, it now hosts Europe’s largest open-air opera festival.

Our walk continues through Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s historic market square surrounded by elegant Baroque palaces. We’ll pass the ancient Porta Borsari gates and learn the story behind their name, see the Gothic Scaliger Tombs of the powerful ruling family of northern Italy, and of course visit the romantic courtyard of Romeo and Juliet.
(All monuments are viewed from the outside.)

Verona’s Carnival is one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1531. Its central character is Papa del Gnocco — the “Father of Gnocchi.” You’ll have the chance to taste gnocchi, the official Carnival dish, sold everywhere during the festivities. Festive markets, rides, and sweet stalls fill Piazza San Zeno and Piazza Bra.

Overnight in Verona — a chance to feel the true rhythm of Italy.

February 9, 2027 (Monday): Proud Genoa. A Delicious Carnival. The Burning of the Carnival King
After breakfast and meeting our guide, we head to Genoa — La Superba, the Proud Maritime Republic. Today is Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday), the final day of Carnival.

The city is filled with the aroma of fresh pastries drifting from every bakery. The star treat of the day is Bugie — meaning “lies” in Italian. These thin, crispy fried pastries are dusted with powdered sugar. Legend says they’re called “lies” because they look big but are empty inside — just like Carnival promises.

You’ll also taste Castagnole — soft golden dough balls resembling little chestnuts. Genoa’s Carnival feels more intimate, but incredibly flavorful.

We’ll explore the city itself, walking through the narrow caruggi alleyways. Our guide will show us palaces where bankers once hosted kings and explain how Genoese merchants profited even from Columbus’s riskiest voyages.

In the evening, you’ll witness the burning of the straw Carnival King. Carnival may be ending in Italy — but its spirit continues in France!
Overnight in Genoa.

February 10, 2027 (Tuesday): From Italy to France – The Road to Flowers
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Italy and cross into France, enjoying a scenic drive along the Ligurian coast. A day of panoramic views and tunnels — your guide will explain why Italians jokingly compare their country to Swiss cheese, pierced by mountain roads.

Arrival in Nice and hotel check-in.

Evening walking tour of Nice. We’ll admire the glowing dome of the iconic Hotel Negresco and hear why Salvador Dalí once walked a real ocelot on a leash here. In Place Masséna, we’ll decode the hidden meanings of the illuminated “Seven Continents” statues, and in the Old Town, taste hot socca — a wood-fired chickpea flatbread, the true flavor of Nice (optional).

Our guide will share how Nice remained Italian until 1860, which explains its passionate and vibrant character.
Overnight on the French Riviera.

February 11, 2027 (Wednesday): Menton – Citrus Fairytale & Lemons. Èze – The Eagle’s Nest. French Perfume Factory Visit
After breakfast, we travel to Menton for the Day of the “Golden Fruit.” In the Biovès Gardens, you’ll see extraordinary sculptures built from 140 tons of lemons and oranges. During Carnival, the gardens transform into a fantasy park of castles, windmills, and mythical creatures — all made entirely of lemons!

Each fruit is hand-attached to the structure with tiny rubber bands. When the festival ends, nothing is wasted — locals hold a famous “lemon sale.”

You’ll have the chance to taste lemon cake with torched meringue — a Menton specialty — and try local limoncello to compare it with the Italian version.

On the return journey, we stop in the medieval village of Èze, perched 427 meters above sea level and often called the “Eagle’s Nest.” From above, enjoy breathtaking views of the French Riviera and capture stunning photos.

Afterward, we visit a French perfume factory. You’ll learn how roses and lavender from the fields of Grasse are transformed into world-famous fragrances. Our guide will explain why this region became the global capital of perfume and how professional “noses” can distinguish up to 3,000 scent notes.
Overnight on the French Riviera.

February 12, 2027 (Thursday): Nice – Battle of Flowers & Illuminated Parade of Giants
Our final day begins with breakfast and leads to the highlight of the French Carnival — the Battle of Flowers. From grandstand seats in Place Masséna, you’ll watch tons of fresh lilies and mimosa flowers shower the crowd. Catching a bouquet is said to bring good luck for all of 2027!

In the evening, we take part in the spectacular Corso Carnavalesque Illuminé — the most dazzling event of the Nice Carnival. As night falls, enormous floats as tall as five-story buildings glide through the streets to the rhythm of live orchestras.

These colossal illuminated figures — kings and mythical creatures — are masterpieces passed down through generations of local artisans. They move, wink, release smoke, and glow with millions of LED lights. A truly unforgettable spectacle.
Overnight on the French Riviera.

February 13, 2027 (Friday): Au revoir, France! Nice Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Nice Airport for your departure.

You return home carrying with you the scents of the sea, flowers, lemons, and the magic of mysterious Venetian masks…

Until next time, Europe!

Hotels Along the Route

Hotel Splendid, Nice — or similar
Best Western Hotel Tritone, Mestre (Venice area) — or similar
B&B Hotel, Genoa — or similar
Hotel Mastino, Verona — or similar

Tour Includes

7 nights of accommodation:
4 nights in Italy and 3 nights in France in comfortable 4-star hotels
Daily breakfast
Reserved grandstand tickets for the Battle of Flowers in Nice
Reserved grandstand tickets for the Illuminated Carnival Parade in Nice
Group airport transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the hotel in Mestre
Group airport transfer to Nice Airport for ANY departure flight
Sightseeing tours as per itinerary with a Russian-speaking licensed guide
Personal audio headsets for the entire tour

Tour Does Not Include