Nice is a peculiar city, it’s as if it had a personality split between being French and Italian. You got pasta and pizza on one side of the street, baguettes and croissants on the other, all because of its’ location and neighboring countries. Actually it is not that long ago (1860) when Nice became a part of France. Long before that it was already a holiday destination for the rich and famous, celebrities cruised around the Promenade des Anglais in their carriages as early as in 1700s. Beautiful beaches, azure blue water, Mediterranean climate and surprisingly low prices are still the main assets of the French Riviera and make it a perfect place to spend a few days away from home. Nice to chill out, relax, do a bit of sunbathing and drinking in the evenings rather than sightseeing, but there are a few things worth checking out. Hotel Negresco, right at the world-famous promenade, is where the wealthy people stay. This includes the royalty. We- the simple people- can still have a drink at the lobby bar and explore its stunning interiors. Personally I would not want to spend so much money on a hotel in Nice or any other city at the Cote d’Azur anyway. To my opinion you are much better off by renting an apartment via Airbnb or another rental site. I would give it a try with the charming Old Town; le Vieux Nice as the locals call it.
Legendary hotel Negresco, the iconic image of Nice at the Promenade des Anglais
My very first holiday abroad ever was to Nice was with my friends from high school. It was an amazing time. I will for always remember the sensational feelings when I saw for the first time of my life real palm trees at Place Massena and Boulevard d’Anglais. Later I went back with my girl friends and for me Nice will always be linked to these sweet memories. If you’re visiting Nice with a significant other, then you should take her to the Castle Hill and take the best view of the city in. At the other site of the hill you will see the huge ferries leaving for Corsica what is an impressive picture as well since they look like floating cities. On a rainy day – yes it does rain sometimes at the Cote d’Azur – you will need to plan some indoor activities. Personally I would recommend visiting the museum of Marc Chagall. Some might find his paintings and drawings a bit naïf or even childish. But I am sure you will be enchanted by his mysterious and colorful works that often depict Jewish traditions and symbols, village life scenes and goats: a hell lot of goats.
In the neighbourhood of Nice you can find many picturesque villages
You could also pay a visit to the Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas, the Russian Orthodox Church, located at Avenue Nicolas II. If you are interested in Russian culture and traditions, you will certainly enjoy the rich interiors, shiny icons and sweet scents. It is not only one of the oldest Russian Orthodox churches outside of Russia; but probably also the largest one. When you are fed up with Nice, remember that this town makes the perfect base for trips to other famous places in the region. Cannes, Monaco and St. Tropez, traditional playgrounds of the old and new rich, are easy to reach from Nice by car or train. The countryside with the touristic but very picturesque Saint Paul de Vence, where painters like Marc Chagall spent the last days of their lives, is also a great destination for a day excursion from Nice. If you have more time you can also do a village tour in the Provence. Have a delicious lunch, sprinkled with a great wine and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
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