Nice a city found in Southern France along the Mediterranean coast is a popular tourist resort known for its sunny weather and access to beautiful beaches. France and the French people are well known for the exquisite taste for art, music and food. The latter being why there are so many street front cafes frequented to try the pastries cooked fresh every day. Nice has its own sense of history and culture with local cycle tours of the city, numerous art galleries and museums. There are a variety of museums displaying historical artefacts from a number of periods of history and famous pieces of art and sculptures housed in many buildings that have their own historical worth beyond being a museum. Nice airport means that this is a city that can be easily reached by cheap airline flights across Europe. For something more rustic or more in depth exploration of the area there are hire cars available directly from Nice airport on arrival. Well known company names such as Hertz, Auto Europe, Sixt Car Rentals and Nice car rentals cater to all needs at a variety of budgets.
Nice Airport information
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the second busiest airport in France, after the aiport of Paris. It’s located 4 miles west of the city center and is composed of two terminals. ATMs and Bureau de change are available in both terminals as are shops, including duty-free. Food outlets can also be found throughout the airport and include cafes, bars and restaurants. A Business Center and lounge are available, as are disabled facilities. cheap car hire in Nice can be sought from the airport also.
Places to visit around Nice
A great place to start exploring is the Old Town. Here, you can wander through the intriguing alleyways and discover a multitude of quaint cafes and numerous cultural centers. These include the Musee d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporarin, the Musee Matisse and the Musee Massena. This is also a fantastic area to pick up a souvenir of your trip. Place Massena is a beautiful square in which to rest your feet, and the Massena and Albert I gardens are only a short walk away, the latter being a beautiful amalgamation of stunning fountains and palm trees.
The Orthodox Cathedral is a beautiful building composed of stunning domes, and is thought to be Western Europe’s oldest orthodox cathedral. You’ll find the cathedral in Place Rossetti, which is also home to Fenocchio’s, renowned for selling the best ice-cream in Nice. Le Chateau is a fantastic viewing platform. Of the castle itself only remains are left but, if you take the elevator up to the top or brave the stairs, you’ll be rewarded with stunning perspectives of the city. This is thought to be one of the most photographed panoramas in Europe and is an especially sought-after spot for watching the sunset. Fort du Mont Alban, built in the 16th century, is also on a hilltop vantage point. It’s worth the walk all the way around, as this provides not only views of the city but also the picturesque villages on the opposite side.
One of Nice’s most picturesque areas is the Promenade des Anglais which runs along the waterfront: here, you can relax on a deck chair on the pebbled beach and watch the local joggers and roller bladers. Here, you’ll also find the magnificent Theater de Nice, a popular venue for classical concerts.
Another stunning attraction is the Cours Salea Flower Market, open six days a week. Here, you can sip on a cappuccino at one of the pretty cafes lining the streets and admire the sights and smells of the blooms surrounding you. Another beautiful area for a little respite is the Parc du Château. Sitting above Nice, you can gain great views of both the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
For a different form of entertainment it’s worth taking advantage of car hire in Nice and driving to Parc Phoenix. This is a huge greenhouse where visitors can admire a whole spectrum of plant forms, from ancient flora to tropical wonders, in between which flitters a fantastic assortment of beautiful birds and butterflies. Of course, another amazing way to get away from it all is via a boat trip on the stunning French Riviera!
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