Reconnaissance Trip to the Côte d’Azur and Milan

On a Sunday we meet at Zurich Airport; today it is only a short flight to Nice on the Côte d’Azur, where we begin our reconnaissance trip. After intensive preparation in the office, the reconnaissance trip gives us a final picture on the ground, and we go through the tours once more down to the smallest detail.
After landing in Nice, we take the new tram, which brings us directly to the Promenade des Anglais, Nice's famous seafront promenade. We check in at the Hotel Le Royal, which we have earmarked for our end-of-season Comfort tour. With the hotel management we discuss the menu choices and inspect the different rooms. In real life the rooms impress even more, so the photos did not promise too much, and the rooms with a sea view offer an incredible outlook over the deep-blue Mediterranean.

From the hotel, Nice is easy to explore, as Le Royal stands right on the sea and also in the heart of the city. The hotel shines in impressive colour, as its facade has been transformed into a work of art by Gaspard di Caro, a famous French light artist. We are not the only ones swept away: especially in the evening, numerous tourists stop in front of Le Royal and marvel at the installation.

After a generous and delicious breakfast we head into the city, where we go through a few points for the tour management and meet for contract negotiations with the Opéra de Nice. It will soon complement our music offering and enchant our guests musically on the Côte d’Azur.

After meeting a hotel director for lunch, we have a special appointment in the afternoon. We meet the people in charge of the world-famous Hotel Negresco. We are deeply impressed by this house; it is reminiscent of an art exhibition spanning the 13th century to the modern era. More than 5,000 exhibits are on display here, and each of the fantastic rooms is unique. We also visit Le Chantecler, the best-known and most exclusive restaurant on the Côte d’Azur. The Negresco is a perfect fit for our premium brand Car Rouge, and we are delighted to announce today that from 2020 Car Rouge will be the first Swiss coach company to offer tours to this 5-star house on the French Riviera. After a long day in Nice, we take the train to Milan. Past Monaco, San Remo and Genoa, we reach the Italian fashion capital at night.

The next morning we get going very early. We meet the management of the Carlton Baglioni. It is the only hotel with its entrance on Milan's most famous shopping street, the Via della Spiga. This house, too, is a historic jewel. All the big fashion labels and designers in the world have opened their boutiques right around the hotel. Only a few minutes' walk from the Duomo, this hotel also shines with its exceptional location and beautiful rooms.

A little later, Paolo Amato welcomes us in unique surroundings. In the centre of Milan, bags are made here for global stars, royal houses and the wives of heads of state. Both under their own label and on commission for many big labels such as Chanel, Manolo Blahnik or Armani, the most exclusive pieces are crafted here. Paolo greets us warmly and shows us the sanctuary of Leu Locati. True masters of their craft are at work here, and we are allowed to watch over their shoulders at close quarters. What a contrast to mass production in faraway countries. By hand and over seemingly endless time, a leather product of unique quality is created here.

After that it is time to say goodbye to Paolo and move on to the next appointment. For this we have to go to the Navigli, a historic district that is somewhat reminiscent of Venice. We stroll along the canal in search of that very special ristorante. Sure enough, we find it, and are even allowed a glimpse into the kitchen of a small, authentic osteria. There is no need for lengthy discussion and negotiation; the chemistry is right from the start. It is precisely venues like this that matter so much to us. We look for the special, the unique, the unforgettable experience.

Straight on to the Teatro alla Scala for negotiations and to the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, perhaps the most beautiful shopping centre in the world. After another hotel inspection and one more appointment in the city centre, we take in Milan Cathedral one last time. The Duomo is one of the three largest marble buildings in the world, and although we have seen it many times, we are impressed again and again.

Now we take the metro to one of the most beautiful stations in Europe, Milano Centrale, where our train to Zurich is already waiting for us. In our luggage: the anticipation of coming tours and plenty of new travel ideas for you, dear guests.