Looking for an awesome, sunny place to holiday in the summer that won’t cost a bomb or give you jetlag? Tikichris contributor Vysia Duffield reckons the French Riviera is the answer.
A two hour flight from Gatwick brings you straight into the sunny Nice Cote D’azur Airport and into the glorious city also known as Nice la Belle (Nice the Beautiful), the capital of the Alpes Maritimes département and the second biggest city of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region after Marseille.
Here are some of Vysia’s tips for those of you looking for a weekend away that won’t break a bank.
Stay:
I stayed at the Villa St Exupery Gardens Hostel, voted one of the best hostels in Nice. Pretty no frills though, so don’t expect any luxuries. I stayed in one of the eight person mixed dorms and it was noisy to say the least. Perfect if you’re travelling alone and want to meet random strangers, but choose one of the double rooms if you want a romantic getaway (or another hotel – this place is where the kids have their Spring Break). That said, they offer a good selection of activities that you can book through them like trips to surrounding the surrounding cities of Ere, Monaco, Cannes etc, and adventures like canyoning, scuba diving and sailing.
Play:
I only had one full day in Nice and chose to go scuba diving. The booking was straightforward enough – you go to the reception, choose between the 9am and 2pm sessions, and pay a downpayment. They then print you instructions and you get there by yourself.
The trip out to the dive spot is great, and Nice Scuba, who operates the tour, are brilliant guides for beginners – you don’t need a licence as they’ll guide you through the waters and show you what you need to see. I spotted a blue giant grouper and went up close and personal with some of the most amazingly colourful fishes I’ve ever seen.
Explore:
Nice Old Town is glorious and filled with charming little nooks and corners of amazing discoveries. From amazingly fresh Limoncello ice cream to lavender sachets, beaded bikinis and french antiques, there is something for everyone.
The beach is beautiful, but don’t expect to build sandcastles as they’re all pebbled beaches. Enjoy the waves though as it splashes on you as you walk along the shore, cooling off the heat of the summer.
Written by Vysia Duffield
