Anyone have a great rec for Nice (France)?

[janinegirly]

Will be there one night-I''ve been before, but never stuck around. I''ll be with DH this time--anyone know of a cute hotel (ie charming, great location, but not a rip off)? Just thought I''d ask since we have some world travellers here . Also open to restaurant recommendations. It''ll be in August and high season, so would like to avoid the tourist traps if possible!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I don't remember the names of anywhere we went... But I took a ten day trip to Nice and Cannes and I'm just going to tell you that you are going to have an INCERDIBLE time!!! It is far and away my favorite vacation spot of all time.

If you have time in your trip, I recommend traveling to St. Paul de Vence. It was about an hour away, if I recall, and it's this incredible walled city.

I. Am. So. Jealous!

ETA- just saw you will be there one night... so my post was pointless. But I imagine you will love the town!

 

[janinegirly]

well we''ll be in Nice one night and then heading South. So will be able to hit the smaller towns. Nice is just a gateway to some quieter areas..need a break from cities .

did you drive when you went to St Paul de Vence, Cannes,etc? We might rent a car but I''m a bit scared of some of those winding cliffs.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Janine- have you checked out Tripadvisor.com? it''s a great resource that i''ve used for planning vacations. the forums are super-helpful!

 

[janinegirly]

I have...just seeing if anyone had a personal favorite.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

it''s a bit dated, but i found this

i hope others chime with more recent rec''s for you!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 6/5/2009 3:24:34 PM
Author: janinegirly
well we''ll be in Nice one night and then heading South. So will be able to hit the smaller towns. Nice is just a gateway to some quieter areas..need a break from cities .


did you drive when you went to St Paul de Vence, Cannes,etc? We might rent a car but I''m a bit scared of some of those winding cliffs.

We stayed in Cannes for the majority of our trip. We drove to St. Paul de Vence and also a town called Grasse with a cool perfume museum. It''s supposedly the birthplace of perfume. The drives were not scary at all... The only complaint I had about the drives were the countless round-a-bouts got me a little bit car sick!

 

[janinegirly]

a bit futher south the drives get a bit scary..around Cap St Jean Ferrat, Cap D''Ail, etc. I mean that''s just my memory from a family trip. Remember Grace Kelly also was killed after her daughter drove off the cliff near Monaco. Ok...enough of my paranoia...thanks for the tips!!

Chargergrl: thanks for the link, great stuff!

if anyone has current rec''s, feel free to throw them out there!

 

[Octavia]

When I went to Nice with friends a few years ago, we actually spent more time in Villefranche-sur-Mer, which is a little town just over the hill from Nice. It was smaller, quieter, had a nicer beach, and was actually closer to our hostel (we were poor students). The whole area is so beautiful, and if you have the chance to go to Le Chateau, the gardens and views are just gorgeous. Have fun!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 6/5/2009 4:16:45 PM
Author: janinegirly
a bit futher south the drives get a bit scary..around Cap St Jean Ferrat, Cap D''Ail, etc. I mean that''s just my memory from a family trip. Remember Grace Kelly also was killed after her daughter drove off the cliff near Monaco. Ok...enough of my paranoia...thanks for the tips!!


Chargergrl: thanks for the link, great stuff!


if anyone has current rec''s, feel free to throw them out there!

I knew that about Grace Kelly! Honestly, I can get scared fairly easily on mountain drives and such. It didn''t bother me at all.

 

[Harriet]

If you're feeling lazy, there's a tram tour that will take you around. As for food, ask the natives -- the man at Fragonard (the perfume store) sent us to a good local place, but I don't remember its name). Or, have a crepe at one of the cafes along the lovely flower market (Cours Saleya). I'd avoid the restaurants on the water.