RodrigoFK

Ny name is Rodrigo and I am from Brazil. Me and my wife are going to Nice in June (5 days). We have already booked a car to discover places, but maybe we will give up it and take a tour (half/full day). We rather have someone with us to explain places peculiarities/history (an also be more confortable/safety during day trips).

Does anyone recommend a good itinerary ? Car or tour or train ? share some experiences ?

We are interested to visit: Cannes, Antibes, Mougins, St Paul, Vence, Villefranche, Eze, Monaco, etc.

Regards
Rodrigo

Surfergirl

Do you or your wife speak French, even if a little? Or just Portuguese and English?

I ask because comfort level is different when you don't or do speak the language.

Since I speak A bit of French, my comfort level is high so I would stick with a car. But most places you can get to from Nice by public bus or by train. That might be best for you!

Tulips

Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche, Monaco are easily visited by train. You really do not need a tour or a guide; get a guidebook with maps, you can walk from the train station.
For Mougins, St Paul de Vence, Eze, it is easier to have a car.
We always drive in that area, and have no trouble finding parking in Cannes or Antibes. June is not high season yet.

Make sure your hotel has parking, if you are keeping the rental car.

With 5 days you will not have time to visit all these places. You will easily spend 2 full days in Nice. Are these 5 full days or do they include your arrival and departure days?

RodrigoFK

Dear Supergirl, I can´t speak french (I am learning just basic ou survival phrases). Thank you

RodrigoFK

Dear TULIPS, We have 5 full days in French Riveira (+2 with arrival and departure). Thank you very much.

AlessandraZoe

Actually, everything on your list is doable by the excellent rail service and also by bus. We stayed a week in the Riviera without a car and added on Menton, Cagnes sur Mer,and Grasse too! Eze was a quick hike up a hill from the Eze-sur-Mer station.

I am not suggesting you cram as much as we did into your trip, but you certainly have a lot of choices for each day without having to rent a car or take a tour bus.

Most of the museums on the Riviera coast have English signage, so I think you will be fine if you read English well.

I have often mentioned here that we bought an excellent book, "Daytrips France" by Earl Steinbickler, and we'd decide over breakfast at our hotel in Nice which adventure we would take that day.

Micheline

Hi Rodrigo - i don't think not speaking french will be a problem but it will be appreciated if you say "bonjour madame/monsieur when entering a store. When we go to Nice and around we ditch the car and use the very affordable public transport.
You will love the French Riviera.

tdk320n

I go to Nice every year and have never needed a car.
I stay in the Old Town and the public transportation is excellent and cheap.
I take buses and trains to visit all the places you mentioned.

I usually do not take tours but perhaps a few for a first timer are ok.

There are tours availble, if staying at a hotel they should have brochures and information.Otherwise there is a good tourist information office on PROMENADE ANGLAIS that will be very helpful to you .

I do not speak French but I have learned that a few basic greetings said in French are very helpful

Have a great time .
Do not be afraid to ask people for help, I have found that most are very helpful if you are polite in your asking

RodrigoFK

Dear AlessandraZoe, Michelline and tkd20n
Thank you very much for your advises. They are pretty helpful.
Regarding french words, I am learning basic french to survive and be more kind
Rodrigo

joannyc

<<Since I speak A bit of French, my comfort level is high so I would stick with a car. But most places you can get to from Nice by public bus or by train. That might be best for you! >>

Sorry, I really don't understand this statement. I only speak the pleasantries and always rent a car. Speaking French has nothing to do with driving and understanding road signs.

joannyc

Should have added that I will be picking up a car in Tououse upon leaving there and dropping it upon arrival in Nice 19 days later.