Nice And Easy

Sep 14 2008 By Stephen Park

Glamour Of The French Riviera Has Never Been More Accessible Cote D'azur

If you are looking for a trip that will deliver movie star glamour but without the million-dollar price tag then hit the coast road from St Tropez through Cannes, Antibes and Nice to Monaco.

Now I know what you are thinking - a millionaire's playground isn't going to be cheap. Well, actually you couldn't be more wrong.

Spend some time in this area and you'll get as close as possible to living a celebrity lifestyle. And if you avoid high season, a short break in the millionaires' playground needn't cost much more than a Blackpool break.

Budget air travel has made it easy and affordable to visit once exclusive places like the Cote d'Azur.

I've driven this spectacular route many times and the magic never ends. It's lined with multi-million-euro properties and exclusive marinas packed with boats costing more than most of us will earn in a lifetime.

Of course, this is just one of the many attractions the South of France has to offer. It's a location that's ideal for a get-away-from-it all long weekend or a three-week summer holiday.

This playground for the rich enjoys 300 glorious days of sunshine per year, so it's easy to understand the French Riviera's appeal.

In summer it is blazing hot and the region is clogged with holidaymakers as a result. A cheaper time to go is from April through to June or early autumn - temperatures are typically in the 20s but there's a lot less bustle.

Whether you opt for the villages perched on cliffs, steep canyons and alpine scenery of the Riviera's interior or the more traditional beach scene, there's plenty to see and do.

If you are opting for a short break with limited time it's probably best to stay in Nice, the Cote d'Azur's capital.

Low-cost carriers Flyglobespan and Easyjet fly directly into the city's airport from Edinburgh. And although it requires a connection at Heathrow, British Airways provide the most regular service, flying six times a day from the London hub.

Traffic permitting, Nice airport is just a 10-minute taxi ride into the town.

A night on the internet managed to secure a room at the three-star Mercure for just 80 euros.

Situated in a prime location just a five-minute walk from the Old Town, the Mercure may lack glamour but it's comfortable, clean and proved the ideal base for our stay.

Nice is dominated by the Promenade des Anglais, a four-mile seafront walk above the beach.

The palm tree-lined stretch was built by English aristocrats who wanted a safe place to walk and remains a hive of activity today. With countless beachside bars and restaurants, many visitors will venture no further. But limit the exploring and you'll be missing out on many other highlights. With its narrow, cobbled streets, this charming part of town offers an enjoyable atmosphere to experience the unique French-Italian cultural blend.

Other must-visits include the Russian Cathedral (said to be the finest Orthodox church outside Russia) and Castle Hill. This is the site of an ancient fort and offers views of the port and the Mediterranean plus a waterfall, playground and cafes.

For shoppers, Nice offers a range of design outlets, high-street names and individual boutiques but I preferred sampling the plentiful bar scene.

Nice is also an excellent base for visiting Cannes, St Tropez and the historic town of Saint-Paul de Vence. Monaco can be easily accessed by train although, if you hire a car, the coastal route is a spectacular drive that's well worth experiencing.

A city that never sleeps, Nice is unbeatable as a romantic weekend destination or as a family-friendly base for a longer stay.

MAILFILE

GETTING TO NICE

FlyGlobespan and Easyjet go directly from Edinburgh to Nice. BA and some budget carriers fly there from major London hubs. A frequent bus service runs from the airport along the Promenade des Anglais to the town centre although if you have a lot of luggage a taxi will be more convenient and should only take 15 minutes.

RESTAURANT CHOICE

From the warm welcome to the traditional cooking, the restaurant Acciardo, 38 rue Droite, is typical of Old Town Nice. Varied selection of food and the wine is reasonably priced. Pubs and cafe/bars are nearby for a nightcap.