Nice Travel Facts

Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2010

Nice, capital of the Côte d'Azur, is the largest city between Genoa and Marseille-and also one of the most ancient, dating back to Greek times. This sophisticated "Queen of the Riviera" is perfect for sun lovers since it boasts an average 300 days of sunshine per year. Enjoy a stroll along the 200-year-old Promenade des Anglais, which hugs the city's Mediterranean coastline. There are also plenty of sightseeing opportunities, including the Old Town, the colorful Cours Saleya Flower Market; the Matisse Museum with its outstanding collection of the great local artist's work; the Russian Orthodox Church, the oldest church of its kind outside Russia; and the archaeology museum and ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, public baths, and streets.

Quick Facts:

Population: 342,000
Language: French
Currency: The Euro 1€ = 100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Popular Sights:

Cours Selaya Flower Market - Packed with fresh produce this area is great for dining, café’s and seafood. There are also several souvenir stalls, gourmet shops and boutiques here.
Vieux Nice (Old Nice) - Next to the market these narrow streets are filled with great shops, bars, café’s and ice cream shops.
The Promenade des Anglais - The beach promenade is filled with sectioned areas of private beach and restaurants, where you are able to rent a chaise lounge and food and drinks meters from the ocean. The ocean is normally an azure blue and the beach a pebbled adventure.
Zone Pietonne - This pedestrian only zone is great for a stroll and an ideal spot to sip a coffee and watch the world go by. Cheap souvenir t-shirts and trinkets are available here.
The Chateau - On top of a rock hill overlooking the old town of Nice and its quaint port is the remnants of a castle and roman ruins. This outing offers fantastic views over the city, however be warned it is a hike up the many steps.

Shopping:

Besides the expensive boutiques and some great malls, the best shopping in Nice can be found in the old town by the open-air market of Cours Selaya. The fresh produce with rows and rows of olives, sweets and cheeses are a delight for the eye and the palette. Shops surrounding the market sell crafts, ceramics and art.

Keep a look out for great handbag and shoe shops, wine sellers and souvenirs stores tucked away in the narrow cobbled streets.

Food:

Nice is a French city with a distinctly unique cuisine. Some of the local dishes include La Salade Nicoise (a tuna, tomato, black olive and boiled egg salad), La pissaladiere (an onion tart garnished with anchovies and olives) and la Socca (pancake made with chickpea flour and oil). The old town of Nice has a great selection of restaurants and cafes.

Carcassonne, France

Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010

Located in southwestern France, Carcassonne was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.  Surrounded by nearly two miles of walls and 56 strategically placed watchtowers, this medieval castle town is still bustling with life.. First settled more than 5,500 years ago, Carcassonne was struck from the roster of official fortifications by Napoleon, but a massive restoration in the late 19th century preserved this strategic trade center and stronghold for future generations.