Saturday, May 22, 2010

Enjoying Nice, France For Family Travel

Nice is located in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and is the capital of the French Riviera. Every year, there are thousands of visitors who travel to Nice to enjoy a pleasant holiday by the seaside with their family. While family holidays might prove to be a bit tedious to plan, Nice is definitely one of the best destinations in the world to bring children and even pets. Here is a brief guide on how to enjoy your family holiday in Nice.
When travelling with family to Nice, it is a good idea to plan out the itinerary beforehand to ensure that all details are ironed out. The city offers tourists a number of recreational and cultural activities and one place that must definitely be visited when in Nice is the Castle Hill. This is a fortified enclosure, which is not only fun to explore, but also offers some breathtaking views of the famous Promenade des Angles as well as the old port.
If you and your children know how to ride a bicycle or skate you will be able to enjoy the fun activities at the Promenade des Angles which offers bike rides down the streets. This is an activity sure to be enjoyed by adventure lovers and one can easily rent a bike or roller skates from one of the many agencies across the Promenade depending on what you want to do.
You can also take a stroll through Old Nice, and discover the history and architecture of the region while visiting the many shops and little restaurants there. For people who enjoy visiting museums, a visit to the Musee International D'art Naif Anatole Jakovsky is sure to provide your children with many hours of entertainment. This includes workshops that take place here that cover various aspects of art like sculpture, painting and photography. There is also an excellent display of native paintings that are displayed at the museum.
You can also take your family to Bambou, a private beach area with swimming pools and a playground. The children will be able to play as much as they like here while you enjoy swimming and sunbathing.
Since family travel usually involves children, it is important to plan the trip well in advance to ensure that all the necessary arrangements have been made. It is best to book accommodation as soon as the travel plans have been finalised since this will ensure that you and your family will get the best possible rates on the accommodation of your choice in Nice.
James works in the travel industry and works with Nice France holiday rentals and Holiday rentals in Paris.

5 Events Worth Attending in Nice, France

Nice is the official capital of the French Riviera and is a very popular tourist destination. Through the year, there are a number of different events that take place in this city and here is a guide to some of the most popular events in the city.
1. New Year's Concert - This is one of the best events in the city and is known to receive many visitors. The New Year concert takes place on New Year's Eve every year and features a number of different bands who perform to bring in the New Year. The Nice New Year Concert takes place at the Nice Acropolis, which is located at 58 Boulevard Risso.
2. National Music Festival - Every year in June, the entire country of France celebrates the National Music Festival. The city of Nice is one of the best locations to experience this festival, with a number of different concerts and other shows taking place here. The music styles at the various concerts range from reggae to classical and all the concerts are open air shows. After the concerts, the town of Nice comes alive with after-parties held in nightclubs and on the streets with food stalls and various street shows taking place simultaneously.
3. Carnaval -Mardi Gras that takes place in the city of Nice is a truly spectacular event. The celebrations for the Carnaval take place over 10 days and sees the whole city come alive for the festival in the form of parades and street parties. Apart from the traditional parade, there are a number of other attractions at the Carnaval, with street theatre performances, various concerts, food stalls and a general air of festivity that literally transforms the city. It is a wonderful time to visit the city of Nice.
4. Nice Christmas Village - The Nice Christmas Village is one of the most beautiful festive markets in the world. The Christmas Village is located at the Place Massena where it is possible for visitors to purchase a number of different kinds of Christmas ornaments and gifts. The Christmas Village in Nice consists of forty chalets that are built in wood and set up at the square. There is even an ice-skating rink and other activities for children and adults.
5. Ironman - This is a world-famous triathlon that takes place in Nice. The event attracts many local and foreign participants, with over 2000 people taking part in the Ironman at Nice.
James works in the travel industry and works with Cote d'Azur holidays and Self Catering rentals Nice.

Restaurant Guide to Nice (South of France)

These restaurants are all just outside Nice and you'll need a car (or bus) to get there.
Expensive:
In these expensive restaurants, I'd advise ordering their "Menu Desgustation", if you can handle large quantities of delicious food and are curious. This literally translates to "Tasting Menu" and usually reflects the best available and each tiny course is designed to complement the whole selection well. The advantage is not having to have the menu translated and you can almost guarantee that the food will be great. The waiter will generally go over the contents of each course to avoid your getting something that you won't like.
Editor's advice: go hungry and with a lot of time (and no children), don't fill up on the bread and be adventurous about trying lots of new things and you'll probably enjoy the various edible art forms that keep arriving at the table. Note: a Menu Degustation tends to be at least 7 small courses, spaced throughout an evening that should be accompanied by good company and conversation.
Chez Jerome.
Fabulous regional Haut Cuisine. This very imaginative restaurant is constantly changing its menu to take advantage of the seasons and probably to satisfy the creative desires of the chef. Terrace. Not recommended for children.
20, rue Comte de Cessole
06 320 La Turbie
FRANCE
La Reserve de Beaulieu
This gorgeous restaurant fully deserves the 2 Michelin stars that it has been awarded. Along with the faultless and enjoyable cuisine is wonderful relaxing service. There is nothing "stuffy" about this most perfect restaurant and everyone, including children, are made to feel completely at home. Terrace.
5, boulevard du Marechal Leclerc
06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer
France
La Chaumiere
Wonderful rustic food served in copious quantities. Meats are perfectly BBQ-ed in the fireplace. Not specially recommended for children.
384,
Boulevard, de l'Observatoire
06300 Nice
France
La Colombe D'Or
This famous restaurant by the medieval walled village of Saint Paul de Vence was put on the map by now famous artists who supposedly exchanged paintings for food. They have great Provencal cuisine and if you love interesting salads, then do try La Maison Hors D'Oeuvre -14 different dishes and which comes with a basket of vegetables and anchovie dip which is delicious, fresh and totally unsual, if you are not used to provencal cuisine.
1 place du General-de-Gaulle
06570 St Paul de Vence
+33 49 332 8002
Inside Nice:
Moderately expensive:
L'Univers de Christian Plumail
Just outside the Old Town of Nice is this fabulous restaurant serving very sophisticated Provencal (country cooking from the south of France) cuisine. Terrace. This is probably my favorite restaurant for the price. Not recommended for children.
Great meals starting at 20 Euro (drinks excluded)
54 boulevard Jean Jaures
06300 NICE
La Zucca Magica
Great Italian vegetarian restaurant overlooking the Port of Nice. Not recommended for children.
4 quai Papacino
06048 Nice
France
Don Camillo Creations
An excellent Italian restaurant just outside the old town 1 block from the sea. Not recommended for children.
5 rue des Ponchettes
06300 Nice
Keisuke Matsushima
The Japanese chef, of the same, name moved to France just 11 years ago and has created this fashionable restaurant and is successfully fusing French and Japanese cuisines for which he has earned one Michelin star. Not recommended for children.
22 ter, rue de Franc
Nice 06000
Restaurants in the Old Town of Nice
La Voglia
This great Italian restaurant enjoyed success from the moment it opened its doors, which is not surprising considering the quality and quantity of food for the price. Desserts can require three people to finish! Come early as the place gets packed. Terrace. Highly recommended for children.
2, Rue Saint Francois de Paule,
06300 Nice
Le Safari
This restaurant serves freshly made authentic Nicoise cuisine, which is a little heavy when compared to most French restaurants in the south of France but well worth trying. Terrace. Recommended for children.
Le Safari
1 cours Saleya
06300 Nice
Tire Bouchon
Specializing in cuisine from Lyon, arguably the gastronomic capital of France, this excellent restaurant offers good value for the quality of food served. Terrace. Not recommended for children.
19 Rue de la Prefecture
06300 Nice, France
Chez Juliette
This might be one of the best value-for-money restaurants in the Old Town. One can enjoy their fairly sophisticated cuisine starting from 18 Euro for a 3 course meal. Terrace. Not recommended for children.
Address:
1 rue Rossetti
06300, Nice
Claire Adina has lived in Nice for a number of years and is the editor of Taste, Travel and People Magazine. http://www.ttp-mag.com