5 great things to do in Nice
Fancy a trip to one of the most luxurious spots of Europe ? What about Cote d’Azur ? It has attracted artists, writers, aristocracy and royalties for centuries here, so, there is nothing wrong to indulge a bit for a trip. Yes, you can see Cote d’Azur on a shoestring with a little bit of pre-trip research, but Cote d’Azur is not about being cheap. It is about indulgence… So, let’s see what you can do if you decide to break the bank and travel like a star. Or almost like a star.
You would probably land in Nice, which is the most important airport of the region, and apparently, the 4th or the 5th most travelled in France. You will see here a mix of 5-star airlines like Emirates and low-costs like Blue Air and Easyjet, but Nice Airport is also the place to take a helicopter to Monaco. Because you deserve it. However, if you do not want to fly again and choose ground transportation, you still can get your transfer in style, choosing Blacklane which offer limousine transfer services from Nice airport (not only, they are in lots of places around the world right to your hotel. But let’s see what you can do in Nice.
- Walk the Promenade des Anglais. It is compulsory. Before it was compulsory for the rich and famous, now it is for everyone. You can jog, you can stroll, you can get a dip in the sea. Take care, the beach is pretty rough if your feet are used to the gentle touch of the sand. It is pebblestone, so you would better take your slippers or water shoes.
- Enjoy the panorama from the former citadel of Nice (Chateau). Climb a bit and you will get one of the most spectacular vistas from the coast – the whole city, the wonderful crescent shaped beach and the Old City of Nice at your feet.
- Did I write Old Nice ? Yap, because it is a place you really need to enjoy it. Culinary I mean. The buildings are not something to write home about, you’ve seen thousands similar across Europe, but here, in particular you can enjoy a great cuisine. Think that Nice was an Italian city for centuries, being occupied by French only as of 1860s. Despite its ethnical cleansing, the Italian influences still exist and what can be more wonderful than tasting the food where French cuising meets Italian cuisine. And this happens in Nice, in the Old City !
- Rent a car and discover the area. I should only mention names of cities like Monaco, Cannes or St. Tropez and you will know that you in an area which should be discovered. I tell you something – try to go to some other lesser known places. Visit Eze or St. Agnes, the wonderful traditional villages perched on some hills which dominate the coast. Marvel at some of the world’s most expensive properties in Cap Ferrat. Don’t miss for anything in the world Rotschild’s villa built in 1912 (just in time for the World War 1), now a wonderful museum.
- Discover the world’s largest Russian church outside ex-tsarist Russia. The rich and famous of Russia loved Cote d’Azur (they still do, there are lots of properties bought by the Russia’s nouveaux riche), so a large colony of rich expats settled on Cote d’Azur from the tsarist times. The last tsar, Nicholas the Second (the one executed by Bolsheviks) built here a wonderful Russian church resembling the one you’ve seen in Moscow. Unfortunately, these days, it is under reconstruction, but if you plan to indulge in a Nice getway in the next few year, it should be ready and shining in sun.
Have you been to Nice or to Cote d’Azur. What other wonderful experiences and outstanding places have you discovered. Please, share them here, below, at the comments section. Thank you … or Merci beaucoup !
What you can do in Nice
Top class transfer – by Blacklane
From the airport to hotel or from hotel to the airport
Promenade des Anglais – the nicest walk in town
Beach is nothing to write home about… but it is nice to take a dip in November !
The view from the Chateau
Old Nice, now a gourmet Mecca
Full view of Promenade des Anglais
I believe there’s a music festival across the river there too isn’t there? As if it wasn’t enough to want to visit a place that’s named NICE of all things, it really IS nice. When planning the trip to France, this is going to be one of the topmost sights to see on my list for certain. It’s so charming there, such nice people.