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As Stylish as it Sounds: La Vie in the French Riviera
Friday 28th June 2013 | Ria
Home of the rich and famous, don’t let this destination intimidate your student budget. Nice is a beautiful mix of beaches, art, culture, and of course baguettes and croissants- the perfect place for a short, adventurous and relaxing exploration. For about 12 pounds a night at Hotel Antares, you can settle into a comfortable hostel and meet fellow travelers from various backgrounds. From Nice, famous destinations such as Cannes, Monte-Carlo, and Saint-Tropez are easily accessible in just a 1.50 euro bus ride. Along with the famous destinations, the French Riviera holds silent treasures such as Antibes, Eze, and even Ventimiglia in Italy, towns that will make your trip in the French Riviera tres magnifique. In 6 days, explore the tastes, sounds, smells, and contagious love of the French in the Cote D’Azur.
Day 1: Nice & You
Take a morning flight from London to Cote D’Azur airport. Upon landing in the Cote D’Azur, take the bus into the center of Nice-Ville to your hostel and settle in. Use your first day in Nice to familiarize yourself with the city and what is has to offer. Walking along the famous Promenade des Anglais, enjoy the view of the beautiful sea and pebbled beach until you reach Vieille Ville (Old Town) where you can enjoy crepes and pastries. There, plenty of muesums are awaiting your enjoyment. Nice also holds a variety of other sights including Monastere de Cimiez, Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice, Theatre de la Photographie et de l'Image, and more! Nice itself can be experienced in 6 days but we are going to take you on a couple of day trips. We recommend you keep two days aside for Nice.
Day 2: Monaco, Monte-Carlo, and Eze
The prince of Monaco awaits your arrival in his glamorous palace. Leave in the morning for Monaco and Monte-Carlo on the train or bus. Upon your arrival, take a second to inhale the surrounds of the blue sea, posh yachts, and bustling people. Climb to the very top of Monaco and take a 360 degree view of the city from above and the royal palace. Afterwards, make your way to casino Monte-Carlo and spend some time gambling in the casino- feel like a million bucks and hopefully you’ll win a million bucks.
After experiencing Monaco and Monte-Carlo, take a 40 minute bus ride to the small village of Eze. Eze is a beautiful mountain-top town worth seeing. Climb to the top and see the breath-taking view from the jardin-exotique, enjoy a meal at a local café, and check out the many small art shops. Get philosophical and walk down the long but rewarding Nietzsche walk until you reach the sea. Travel back to Nice and hit the clubs for a French night out.
Day 3: Antibes- BEACH BEACH BEACH
Antibes is one of the only places on the French Riviera with a sand beach (and believe me it makes all the difference!) Spend the day there getting your tan on and swimming in the sparkling water. End your relaxing day with a walk through the Picasso museum. Art and Antibes- the perfect treat for the soul.
Day 4 + 5: Use Your Imagination!
Depending on the kind of person you are, these two days can be spent in various ways. The beaches and cliffs of Villefranche welcome you to sit and relax in a scenic setting. A similar yet more famous setting is Saint Tropez, where you can watch the rich party on their yachts (a sight to see, but don’t get too jealous!). Other day trips include Ventimiglia and the French Alps. Ventimiglia is a small town in southern Italy. With it’s famous market, Ventimiglia is an easy day trip for a little town. The French Alps are as magnificent as they sound however you will need a car to travel and really hike through- we recommend two days for this experience.
Day 6: Back to the Roots
Use your last day to revisit Nice. Saving you the hassle of traveling on your last day, finish off Nice with some olive tasting, some music at the Nice Crossover Festival, or just lay on the beach once again! Make sure to take a nice jog along the Promenade des Anglais and reward yourself with a delicious sea-side meal. Take an evening flight back to London with a gleaming satisfied smile.
Other places to Explore in the French Riviera:
- Toulon
- Cannes
- Juan-Les-Pins
Fall in love (and get a tan!) in the French Riviera.
Ria Talsania
