the French Riviera-- old world opulence

With a litany of posh resorts and perennial sunshine the French Riviera provides the ideal backdrop for an idyllic European retreat. Everyone from adoring couples and families will appreciate the sheer raw beauty of the southern coast of France. Dramatic coastal cliffs meet the calm Mediterranean Sea... The setting is absolutely gorgeous, quiet and peaceful.

The Cote d'Azur's high-style, unashamed splendor and luxurious resorts-- will impress the most discriminating of tastes. When vacationing in French Riviera, Nice is a comparably inexpensive option as opposed to star-struck Cannes or lavish St.-Tropez. Nice, the country's fifth most populated city is replete with a wide assortment of shopping, perennial sunshine and superb dining.

Getting There:
Most visitors to the South of France will fly into Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, services flights from all over Europe including the UK's Heathrow and Gatwick International airports. Rapide Cote d’Azur provides safe and reliable bus service from the Airport throughout the coast.

Staying There:

A conveniently located boutique hotel, The Splendid- Nice is few blocks from the Promenade and train station. Although a bit dated, the airy rooms remain well maintained, large and comfortable. Their roof top restaurant serves a hearty continental breakfast and provides a picturesque view of the city. The rates are reasonable and offer a good bang for your buck.

http://www.splendidhotelnice.com/homepage.html

Monaco:

No trip to the French Riviera is complete without a day trip to the small principality of Monaco. Monte Carlo is a city known for fast cars, opulence and their world famous Grand Casino. The twenty-two minute scenic train ride from Nice only costs a scant $5.00 USD. It’s best if you hail a cab for exploring the steep and congested streets of Monte Carlo. If you decide to huff it on foot to the Prince’s Palace-- good luck, and allow plenty of time for breathers. Tourists flock to the city's old quarter for a quick bite to eat and another notable attraction, The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

www.oceano.mc/en

Kultours - Day Tours:

For a backstage pass to the French Riviera, reserve your private guide with Kultours - Day Tours. Open the doors for you to experience the beautiful countryside and shoreline as you enjoy a custom tour of coastal France. Kultours combines  all the essential ingredients of a best tour operator... experience, trustworthiness and fun. A luxuriously appointed van complete with beverages and snacks ushers you through the beautiful countryside and coastlines. Another viable option is to have their private shuttle meet you at the airport and spend the day touring breathtaking new sites. The roadside picnic adds charm and creates a memory that will last a lifetime.

http://www.kultours.fr/pruk.html

Theatre de la Photographie et de l'Image:

When it comes to the nature of art, beauty, and sophistication nothing beats the creation of pure photography. Theatre de la Photographie et de l'Image is one of France's largest and most respected photography galleries.

 

This dedicated space for fine art photography houses a mind-bending collection of vintage and modern photographs. The viewer walk away take away images of beauty in this form of art and be left speechless contemplating the thought provoking works behind the photos they've just seen.

http://www.tpi-nice.org/

Shopping and Fashion:

One of the best shopping districts in picturesque Vieux Nice is Cours Saleya. This is the epicenter of unique fashion emporiums and designer brand boutiques. Visitors will stumble upon great dining opportunities and shoe tapping street performers as they ferret out that one of a kind art or antique selection at the local Flea Market. All in a friendly old world setting complete with no major parking hassles -

Eat All the Time

Let's be honest, you don't go on vacation to diet-- however, a Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest ways to eat. At the cornerstone of this healthy fare is Extra Virgin Olive Oil, featuring hints of pepper and ground cardamom.

One of the best places in the world to immerse yourself in fabulous recipes featuring this essential ingredient is at the Oliviera Restaurant. For gluten-free goodness-- order the fresh the Chicken with Vinegar Roasted Peppers another standout is their Mediterranean Olive Bread. Located in Old Town-- Vieux Nice

http://oliviera.com/restaurant

No Need For Lethargy:

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you may as well blow it out... At the Boulangerie Multari Bakery nothing will lift the enliven your senses better than the smell of fresh baked buttery croissants first thing in the morning. Besides breakfast they offer ready-made salads, sandwiches and bite-sized desserts for the taking... Seating is scare and extremely limited in the tiny bakery so grab your morning coffee to go and get your motor running.  Boulangerie Multari  has several bakeries peppered throughout the Cote d'Azur so odds are you won't have trouble finding one.

Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d'Antibes:

One of best ways for you to get a treasured feel for this Mediterranean region is by your feet. Grab a cold beverage and experience firsthand the thrills of walking through rich vegetation on this legendary walking area. The perfect complement to your vacation and behold nature at its most dramatic. Along the scenic walking route you will take in many species of sea birds and sparkling ocean views of the South of France. Allow one to two hours possibly longer...