Nice Carnival & The Côte d’Azur by First Class Rail

Discover the unusual mix of old-world opulence, vibrant city atmosphere and delicious eateries in Nice on the shores of the Mediterranean.  Between 15th and 29th February 2020 you can experience Nice Carnival when the streets come alive with music, dance, dazzling costumes, fabulous processions and parades of flowers for this year’s theme, which is ‘King of Fashion’. 

4 night holiday by First Class rail staying in a double room at Hotel Le Grimaldi (4 star) from £845 per person or in a double room at the Villa Victoria (4 star) from £925 per person or in a superior double room at the Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star) from £975 per person or upgrade to a partial sea view double room at the Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star) from £1,015 per person or in a double room at the Hotel La Pérouse (4 star) from £1,045 per person (based on 2 people travelling together).

Extra night in a 4 star hotel in Paris from £60 per person, per night.

Day 1 – London through France to Nice

You begin your journey to the Côte d’Azur as you enter London St Pancras International station. As you stroll to the Eurostar terminal admire the station’s Gothic extravagance and impressive arched-glass roof, an iconic gateway to Europe. Feel yourself relax as you pull away from London, through the patchwork countryside of South-East England and onto France at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Your at-seat meal and drinks are an enjoyable accompaniment to the passing scenery, before you arrive into the enchanting city of Paris.  Make your way to the end of the platform at the Gare du Nord where you are greeted by your taxi driver, and enjoy the ease of a swift journey across Paris to the Gare de Lyon. Here you board the TGV service for the journey to the south of France, where your train then winds its way along the shores of the Mediterranean to Nice. As you arrive into the Gare de Nice-Ville, make the short transfer south to the Promenade des Anglais, the location of your hotel for the next 4 nights, the luxurious Palais de la Méditerranée (5 star).

Days 2 to 4 – Nice Carnival and the Côte d’Azur

Take the opportunity to experience the world-famous Carnival and admire the elaborate floats and charming flower festival. There are bound to be some spectacular floats celebrating this year’s theme. There is always plenty to do in Nice, from a tour of the historic Old Town to a wander along the legendary Promenade des Anglais and a visit to the Matisse and Chagall museums. Savour the warmer climate and epic sunsets before perhaps sampling some of Nice’s culinary delights. Make sure you visit one of the most exotic landmarks in Nice, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, with its six cupola and golden bulbs, a symbol of the importance of the Russian colony on the Côte d’Azur.

Perhaps take advantage of the excellent rail links along the stunning Côte d’Azur and visit the glamorous coastal towns of Cannes, Monte Carlo or St Tropez.

Day 5 – Nice to London

This morning after breakfast make your way back to the Gare de Nice-Ville for your super-fast journey on board the TGV train to Paris. Savour the memories of the French Riviera as you pass through French countryside and arrive in the French capital. Here  a private taxi transfers you across the city for the connecting Eurostar service to London. From the comfort of your Standard Premier Class seat, admire passing scenery as you receive a light meal and drinks on your journey north through the Eurotunnel, back into England and onto London St Pancras station.