Nice Guide

The Hotel Suisse is close to the sea and offers small but pleasant rooms for between 80 and 200 Euros. There are also lots of holiday rentals available, from low budget to very expensive. These are often in the town centre,although others can be found up in the hills around the town.

Nice is known for its beautiful views and an excellent place to appreciate these is the Colline du Chateau, which offers a tremendous vista over the city. The old town itself boasts twisting streets and alleyways, with quaint and picturesque architecture. There are lots of museums and galleries to visit, including the Musee Matisse, Musee Chagall and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which also offers an open-air roof terrace, from which you can admire the city views.

The beaches of Nice are not ideal for lounging or swimming, due to their large flat stones and pebbles. Making your way down to the water can be a painful experience. However, if you come equipped with beach shoes, you can enjoy a fantastic swim.

But be warned the waters here are for stronger swimmers, as the beaches drop away quickly and tides can be strong. Nice is not particularly known as a family destination, but there are plenty of things for children to do. There is a family section of Nice beach, which offers children's rides and attractions.

There is also a great water park just ten miles away. There are sandy beaches to be found in nearby towns, such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, which is only a twenty minute bus ride away. Nice nightlife is lively, with several large dance clubs, as well as casinos, bars and pubs.

Eating out in Nice can be expensive, particularly in Old Nice and the restaurants along the sea front. It is possible to buy lunchtime baguettes for around four Euros, but if you want to visit a restaurant, lunch-time set menus are quite good value, with two courses, wine and coffee coming in at around 10 to 12 Euros. If you have plenty of spare cash, a fabulous holiday is awaiting, but for those of us whose pockets are not so deep, a more economical stay is possible, if you are prepared to do your research!.