It wouldn’t take more than a visit for you to understand why English aristocrats and Impressionist painters were driven to Nice. With its spectacular seaside scenery, sunny and pleasant weather, the majestic city seems to leave no stone unturned to mesmerize its visitors.
Enveloped by the azure blue waters of the Baie des Anges and guarded by the foothills of the Maritime Alps, Nice experiences a mild and soothing climate all round the year. The city was originally discovered in the 1820s by the British as an appealing winter resort. Today, it still happens to be one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in the world.
Regarded as the center of the French Riviera, Nice is the ideal starting point for a tourist on holiday, before exploding the glistening coastline of Côte d'Azur.
Nice is one place, where you can go to simply enjoy a holiday. The beauty of the gardens and the sea have that mesmerizing Mediterranean vibe associated with it which will keep the visitors yearning for more. More over the distinctive Italian character of the city, also adds to it beauty. Whether strolling the famous Promenade des Anglais or wandering the quaint cobblestone streets, you’ll be only delighted at every stop of your visit to Nice.
· Do not entertain the beggars.
· Make sure you have at least one proof of your identity.
· Do not let anyone deceive you. It is always a good idea to gather sufficient information whenever you are traveling to any new destination or location.
· When getting involved in any adventure sport or water activity, make sure you hire a professional to help you.
· Never neglect your safety when trying any adventure activity.
· Do not leave your valuables in the hotel room.
· Ensure that the hotel you have book has a room safe.
· Do not book a room in the hotel that is not recognized or known.
· Do not get involved in any form of drugs.
· Keep away from the drug peddlers.
· Educate yourself about some of the instances of local culture and traditions.
· Learn some of the words from the local cultures and traditions that are prevalent in the region.
· Carry at least one proof of your identity with you at all times.
· Do not get involved in any fight or brawl with any of the locals here.
· Never film or make videos without the necessary permissions.
· If an area calls for a dress code adhere to it.
· Do not travel alone in the night hours.
The legal age for drinking wine and beer in Nice is 16 years and for spirits is 18 years.
Vieille Ville (Old Town)
Old Town is a picturesque attraction of Nice with its cobble stone streets and narrow alleyways. It is a lively reminiscent of Italy. Prominently known as the Babazouk, The Old Town begins towards the western end of the Colline du Château. Enveloped by the boulevars such as the Place Masséna, Jardin Albert I and Promenade du Paillon, it is indeed one of the most fascinating places to see in Nice. You can indulge in some shopping here and buy items such as spices, soaps and food products.
Promenade des Anglais
Promenade des Anglais is undoubtedly the most emblematic street of the city. It is a beautiful pedestrian area that surrounds the Baie des Anges beaches in the shape of a curve. The iconic seaside road here is dotted with elegant gardens and palm trees. You can take a long stroll at this pedestrian to explore the beauty of the France.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Parched on the hill overlooking the coastline of Nice, the Castle Hill was the first area to have been inhabited by the Greeks some two millennia ago. It is a great place to see in France given its vast historical and cultural importance.
Musée Matisse
Musée Matisse is one of the best tourist attraction for every art lover. Parched on the hill of Cimiez, it is a beautiful museum that is enveloped by beautiful Italianate gardens. You can find 56 sculptures, 68 paintings, 218 drawings and236 designs housed here.
Pushing the boat out
You can pick anything from whale watching rides to tours which lead you to the celebrity homes and trips transporting you from Cannes to Lerin Islands. A number of high speed ferries also run here that link Nice with Calvi and Bastia in Corsica
Art of the matter
In Nice, you can find a number of galleries and museums which are dedicated to Chagall, Picasso and Matisse. A number of contemporary pieces too can be found in the modern art gallery of Nice, MAMAC. If you are here for longer stays, take a stoppage at the Saint-Paul de Vence which is regarded as the artist’s town.
Southern specialities
The Old Town of Nice is indeed the best place for you to hog on to some of the best regional specialties which include dishes like socca, salade Niçoise and pissaladière. In case you wish to get more involved, you can take a cooking class here which takes you to the local market and shows you exactly how the dishes are prepared here. Attending these courses is indeed one of the most important thing to do in Nice.
A multi-sensory experience
Once you visit the Cours Saleya market of Nice, you’ll know and understand the importance of the artisanal produce. On the pot you’ll find a sweet shop with a difference where flower is indeed one of the principal ingredient. You can alternatively take a short tour to Grasse to see how these flowers are made into perfume.
Cinema season in Cannes
In the month of May, the town is swamped by visitors in large numbers. Besides this season, there are also a number of places to see which relate to the cinema heritage. You must come here just after the ‘circus’ is over and you can get a picture clicked on the red carpet with Angelina Jolie or other stars.
Minuscule Monaco
Given the size, you can possibly see all the key sightseeing attractions in a day. Besides the port with its mega yachts there is also Princess Grace’s tomb as well as the palace in the cathedral. If you feel, designer shopping is out of your reach, you can grab a quick bite at the Café de Paris. You can even watch out the super cars which is more like a pull up before you begin venturing into Italy.
Hit the (private) beach
Though there is no sand on the beach of Nice, you can find the cobbles getting progressively smaller as you go further along the coast. There is a sandy spot with a snack bar that lies near the port in Antibes. You can even hire a sun lounger on one of the private beaches of Nice that are reasonably priced.
Flora and fauna
Located near the airport is the Park Phoenix which incorporates one of the largest greenhouses of the world. It contains several themed gardens. This park s also a home to pretty patterned birds, fishes and insects. You can also find the reptiles from the tropical climates. Adults can enjoy the fun at the monastery gardens that lie in the Cimiez district.
Cycle, skate or promenade
There are so many ways for you to explore the city. The best possible way is cycling or skating around the trails and exploring even the hidden attractions of the city. You can seek some tour groups on rollerskate or segways hire operators as well as the Vélo-Bleu bike stations.
Night at the Opéra
Seeking an excuse to get all decked up in Nile? It certainly doesn’t get better than a night out at the world class opera. If you book in advance and are prepared to sit up in the balcony, you ought to make advance bookings. The opera of the Nice can be found in the Old Town that lies next to the Cours Saleya.
The sunshine
This definitely doesn’t need any elaborate detailing. Located in the South of France on the Riviera, Nice receives adequate sunshine all round the year. Plus, you might just get a lovely tan here.
The sea.
There are simply no words to describe just how blue the sky is here. It is not called Cote d’Azur without a reason. Look for an apartment that gives you phenomenal views of the Sea and you can be assured of enjoying a brilliant say throughout.
The wine.
Whole of the France boasts of its wine. Nice is located within one of the smaller and rather a lesser known appellation thereby assuring you get the most fantastic wine here. A glass or two of the local vin blanc or rose will make you relish on the taste for long. The most famous wine of the Nice is the divine Bellet wine which is sourced from the hills that lie west of Nile. It is indeed worth a try.
The food
The food in Nice is really very delicious. You can sample some of the best delicacies at the restaurants or the cafes here. You can relish on the socca from the old town as well as Pissaladiere and be delighted with the culinary delights.
The events
Nice is majorly known for its calm and lax nature. It just cannot be a sleepy town. There is always something on store to keep you going on. Right from the Tour de France to the fete de la musique or the Jazz Festival to the Ironman, there is something for everyone.
The beach
True that Nice doesn’t give you vast stretches of the white sandy beaches however it does deliver abundant of public beaches. So, if you need some private beaches this is a great choice of place.
The transport links
Nice is extremely proud of its public transport. You can catch a bus that will take you as far as Cannes or Monaco at just €1. The train network is also very reasonably priced. Another means of transportation is a ferry ride. You can board a ferry that will take you to Corsica from the port on every day basis. So no matter, where you want to go, there is a means of transport to travel you around.
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