Nice Travel Information
Blessed with an outstanding winter sunshine record, Nice has long been a
favourite destination to visit out of season.
An intriguing mix of former Italian port and turn or the century Belle
Epoque resort, this bustling city offers so much more that just a beach
holiday.
Nice
France
Tempting shops and boutiques line the pedestrianised city centre and the
winding alleys of the Old Town.
By night, the capital of the Cote d'Azur brims with lively pavement
bars, restaurants and trinket stalls. Nice is a superb short break
choice.
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Nice Travel and Flight
Information
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With a
population approaching 350,000, Nice is the fifth largest city in
France. Stretching for 10km (6 miles) around the coast from the airport
in the west to the port at the east end of town. The Promenade des
Anglais is a magnificent 6.5km (4 mile) esplanade complete with
corridors for joggers and roller-blading, summer exhibitions and public
seating. This contrasts with the assorted collection of faceless
apartments blocks.
Vestiges of a grander past are found in the
luxury hotels close to the town centre. A favourite with visitors is the
old town and its elevated castle. A warren of narrow lanes is bordered
by 17th and 18th century buildings and churches. The port has handsome
18th century buildings, ferries to Corsica and a modern residential
area. Overlooking the entire city, apartment blocks and some extravagant
old villas are set on a steep hillside.
LOCATION
In the southeast corner of France on the Mediterranean Cote d'Azur;
capital of Alpes-Maritimes region. 690km (430 miles) southeast of Paris.
22km (14 miles) west of the Italian border and 28km (17 miles) east of
Cannes. Nice international airport is 6.5km (4 miles) west of the town
centre.
POSITION
Nestling in the south
foothills of the Alps and centred on Baie des Anges, a tideless sea.
Suburbs spread into the surrounding narrow valleys, with steep craggy
hillsides and distant views of olives, and pines
ACCOMMODATION
Over 200 hotels of every category from grand
palaces to convenient low-end options. Less choice of self-catering
apartments.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime: a number
of art galleries and museums including the Matisse, Chagall and Asian
Arts are perfect for celebrity spotting and have impressive
architecture. Also two museums are dedicated to archaeology with
archaelogical sites. City tours by double-decker bus, bicycle, electric
rickshaw or segway. Cultural walks. Helicopter flights. The Phoenix Parc
Floral has one of the largest greenhouses in Europe.
Nightlife:
plenty of lively cafes, cabaret bars and discos. Three casinos. Theatre,
opera and several cinemas.
EATING
The old
town has an interesting choice of atmospheric restaurants with many
small establishments offering local specialities such as Soupe au Pistou
(leeks, carrots, celery, potatoes, courgettes and kidney beans with a
sauce of basil, garlic and cheese), Porquetta (stuffed suckling pig) and
Ratatouille.
There are fish specialists around the port, small
bistros in the old town, steak bars and brasseries in Place Massena and
top-bracket cuisine in the palace hotels. International restaurants add
some variety as do snack bars and fast food outlets.
SHOPPING
A wide range of options for all tastes and budgets,
with department stores, luxury boutiques, antiques, souvenir shops
galore, art and antique galleries. A number of markets include
flea-market, flower market and antiques market.
EXCURSIONS
Half day: Visit Monaco, Eze or Cap Ferrat. Olive
and wine tasting. Evening tour: Nice, Cannes, Monaco.
Full day:
Cannes, St. Tropez, San Remo, Grasse, Antibes.
BEACH
The beach is a steeply shelving 4.8km (3 mile) crescent of large, smooth
white pebbles. There are some patches of imported sand at the most
exclusive concessions with cabins, showers, bars, restaurants and
comfortable furnishings. The public sections have little more than
first-aid and lifeguard stations
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
An efficient local transport network. There are 9km of tramways, 100 bus
routes covering the local area and hire bicycles or 'Velos.' Taxis are
frequent, and trains run along the coast and ferries to Corsica
SUITS
All nationalities and most tastes. The
attractive climate and easy access appeals to the business market,
jet-setters, mid-market holidaymakers and those seeking winter warmth.
Getting There
Direct flights to Nice are available from most of the major UK
international airports. Flights to Nice take approx 2 hours.
Getting Around
The Old town of Nice (pedestrianised area) and the beaches are easily
accessible by foot. The bus network serves the city and
surrounding areas.
Must See
For views of the bay, take the public lift from the Quai des Etats-Unis
to the gardens, which surround the Castle above the Old Town.
Take a look in one of Nice's many museums or enjoy the architecture of
its cathedrals.
Must Do
Wander around the pedestrian precinct behind the Albert 1st Gardens,
where you will find a collection of bars, cafes, shops and boutiques.
Visit the Galleries Lafayette department store and the modern Nice
Etoile shopping mall.
Couturier shops are to be found on rue du Paradis and avenue de Suede.
For more unusual items, try the Old Town streets of du Marche, de la
Boucherie and du Collet.
The principal market is in Cours Saleya selling fruit, vegetables and
flowers, and the old Flower Market is a beautiful sight in the morning.
To Relax
There are any number of eating out options, from reasonably priced
pizzerias in the Old Town to restaurants of the highest calibre, or
discover one of the numerous nightclubs and discos where you can dance
the night away!
Weather
Daily average temperatures (Approx) 'C
JAN 13 FEB 13 MAR
15 APR 17 MAY 20
JUN 23 JUL 26 AUG
27 SEP 24 OCT 21 NOV 16 DEC
14
View of Nice
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Nice by Hessle Travel
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Nice Highlights
> The Capital of the French Riviera offers warm Mediterranean air
year round
> Visit the Cours Saleya Flower market in the Old Town which
transforms into a bustling restaurant quarter in the evening
> Crammed with character from its old town, narrow and winding, to
the cosmopolitan Promenade des Anglais
> Stroll through the picturesque square of Place Massena, built in
1835, where you will discover arcaded building and the Opera with its
elaborate 19th century facade
> Take the lift to the top of Le Chateau, the rock that cuts Nice off
from its harbour, and marvel at the spectacular views
Book yourself a flight or city break to Nice with Hessle Travel.
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