3 days on the french riviera next July - need some help with itinerary etc.
Nov 28th, 2005, 05:07 AM
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3 days on the french riviera next July - need some help with itinerary etc.
My wife, our 17 year old daughter and I are going to be spending 3 days on the French Riviera next July (after 3 days in Rome and 3 days in the Rapallo-Santa Margherita area - Grand Hotel Bristol, any comments?).
We are arriving in Menton at night ( Hotel Napoleon, at a very reasonable price), and plan to go to Monaco early next morning, for 3-4 hours.
After Monaco we will are trying to decide the following for the next two and a half days :
(a) OPTION 1 - go to Nice in the afternoon to walk around the old city and the beach front, and go to the Chagall Museum, and return to Menton after dinner and an evening in Nice -is it advisable to drive to these destinations to and from Menton or take a train or bus (we have free parking at Menton)?
Go to Cannes on day 2 (Grand Mercure Croisette Hotel -- any comments?) and spend the day and evening relaxing at the pool/beach.
Leave our last day open for either continued relaxing at Cannes, revisiting Nice, or going somewhere new, such as St. Paul de Vence on our way out to Lucca (where we are arriving late that night) or leaving early that morning and drive along the coast to St. Tropez for another day at the beach, a feel of the area, and a departure for Lucca from there in the early evening.
(b) OPTION 2 - arrive at Menton for sleep, and do Monaco the next morning, and go to Nice for the rest of the day, as well as day 2( Hotel Windsor - any comments), walking through Nice with, perhaps a late afternoon visit to St. Paul de Vence.
Spend day 3, our last day, at either Cannes or St. Tropez, primarily for the beach (which sandy beach is recommended?), and then depart for Lucca in the late afternoon;
(c) OPTION 3 - arrive Menton, do Monaco next morning, and then go to St.Tropez/St.Raphael
for the next day and a half (or, instead, leave early in the morning to drive the coast to St. Tropez area as it is a Saturday, and we may try to lessen traffic worries, and do Monaco on our way to Lucca on day 3,stay in St. Raphael as the hotels appear much less expensive( Hotel Continental or Excelsior - any comment? and how do the beaches compare?).
On day 2 and day 3 spend whatever time we want in San Tropez area, and when we have had enough of the beach, return to Nice for the balance of day 2, or day 3, if we have stayed in St. Tropez for day 2 as well.
I know that this is a lot to digest, but as is the case with so much of our trip, we fear that we may not return to this area for some time, and although this may be a case of trying to do too much in a compressed period of time, we are trying to achieve as happy and comfortable a compromise as possible.
I hope that you Fodorites will take the time to assist in our planning, and perhaps point out what errors we may be making, as this particular part of our trip is becoming more and more difficult to finalize.
BY THE WAY, I should point out that the main reason that we are trying to go to St. Tropez is NOT for the beach, but rather to enjoy what we understand to be a particularly scenic and enjoyable drive. However, once we have made the one-and-a-half hour journey, I don't think it will be a good use of our limited time to rush back to Menton at the end of the day, without enjoying the beach.
Again, thanks both for any advice and comments, and a special thanks for taking the time to read through a what must seem to be an especially convoluted message!
We are arriving in Menton at night ( Hotel Napoleon, at a very reasonable price), and plan to go to Monaco early next morning, for 3-4 hours.
After Monaco we will are trying to decide the following for the next two and a half days :
(a) OPTION 1 - go to Nice in the afternoon to walk around the old city and the beach front, and go to the Chagall Museum, and return to Menton after dinner and an evening in Nice -is it advisable to drive to these destinations to and from Menton or take a train or bus (we have free parking at Menton)?
Go to Cannes on day 2 (Grand Mercure Croisette Hotel -- any comments?) and spend the day and evening relaxing at the pool/beach.
Leave our last day open for either continued relaxing at Cannes, revisiting Nice, or going somewhere new, such as St. Paul de Vence on our way out to Lucca (where we are arriving late that night) or leaving early that morning and drive along the coast to St. Tropez for another day at the beach, a feel of the area, and a departure for Lucca from there in the early evening.
(b) OPTION 2 - arrive at Menton for sleep, and do Monaco the next morning, and go to Nice for the rest of the day, as well as day 2( Hotel Windsor - any comments), walking through Nice with, perhaps a late afternoon visit to St. Paul de Vence.
Spend day 3, our last day, at either Cannes or St. Tropez, primarily for the beach (which sandy beach is recommended?), and then depart for Lucca in the late afternoon;
(c) OPTION 3 - arrive Menton, do Monaco next morning, and then go to St.Tropez/St.Raphael
for the next day and a half (or, instead, leave early in the morning to drive the coast to St. Tropez area as it is a Saturday, and we may try to lessen traffic worries, and do Monaco on our way to Lucca on day 3,stay in St. Raphael as the hotels appear much less expensive( Hotel Continental or Excelsior - any comment? and how do the beaches compare?).
On day 2 and day 3 spend whatever time we want in San Tropez area, and when we have had enough of the beach, return to Nice for the balance of day 2, or day 3, if we have stayed in St. Tropez for day 2 as well.
I know that this is a lot to digest, but as is the case with so much of our trip, we fear that we may not return to this area for some time, and although this may be a case of trying to do too much in a compressed period of time, we are trying to achieve as happy and comfortable a compromise as possible.
I hope that you Fodorites will take the time to assist in our planning, and perhaps point out what errors we may be making, as this particular part of our trip is becoming more and more difficult to finalize.
BY THE WAY, I should point out that the main reason that we are trying to go to St. Tropez is NOT for the beach, but rather to enjoy what we understand to be a particularly scenic and enjoyable drive. However, once we have made the one-and-a-half hour journey, I don't think it will be a good use of our limited time to rush back to Menton at the end of the day, without enjoying the beach.
Again, thanks both for any advice and comments, and a special thanks for taking the time to read through a what must seem to be an especially convoluted message!
Nov 28th, 2005, 07:45 AM
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I can't tell about driving but last weekend when I stayed in Nice, I took the bus No.100 that runs between Nice and Menton on the coast route. I did it only between Nice and Eze-Mer but it was quite a scenic route. I visted mainly Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Eze-Village (different bus line from Nice - no.82? - via Moyenne-Corniche route, equally scenic.) and did not go farther than Eze and was surprised how cheap was the bus ticket, disregarding the distance one Solo ticket costed only €1.30. I could have done it from Nice to Menton all the way for the same price if I wanted or a day-ticket was €4.00. That was one of the cheapest public transportation I have experienced (distance-price wise) besides Prague's subway ticket 13 years ago that was about 15US cents but did not have the view of Côte d'Azur bus line.
The view from the top of Eze village over coast, Cap-Ferrat was magnificent.
The view from the top of Eze village over coast, Cap-Ferrat was magnificent.
Nov 28th, 2005, 08:06 AM
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>>the main reason that we are trying to go to St. Tropez is NOT for the beach, but rather to enjoy what we understand to be a particularly scenic and enjoyable drive.<<
Where did you hear that? I don't think it is scenic along the coast at all, till you get to the Corniche de l'Esternel - starting at about La Napoule and ending at Agay. It is definatly not a 1 1/2 hr drive from Menton to St Tropez along the coast in July. I couldn't even guess how long it would take. The freeway inland is actually very scenic in spots - and that's a 1 1/2 hr drive.
We've spent over 13 weeks vacationing on the Riveria in the past several years. I think you are trying to do too much in just 3 days.
I much prefer Nice over Menton or Cannes. I would stay there - at the Windsor (ask for a room facing the garden). Exploring Nice could very likely consume an entire day or more - especially if you plan to hit the museums or get in a little beach time.
Cannes is OK, but not a whole lot different from Nice (the beach is sandy, however). A trip into the Nice Hinterland (St Paul, Vence, Tourrettes, Peille, Peillion, plus many other spots) would be a nice complement to the big/hard resort cities of Nice/Menton/Monte Carlo/Cannes.
I love St Tropez - but for just 3 days in July, I think visiting it would consume a very high percent of your limited time. You know, of course, that the beaches most people associate with St Tropez are not actually in St Tropez. You can't park the car for the day, see the town, and then lay on the beach. The beach (Pampelonne) is actually 20 mins away (probably much longer in July with the crowds). I would not do St Tropez as a day trip from Menton. In June & September I've experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic between Ste Maxime and St Tropez in the morning when the trongs arrive, and in the evening when they leave.
You mentioned a "reasonable price" on a hotel in Menton, so I assume there are some budget considerations. If you have checked out car rentals already, you will have found that rentals in Italy per day are about twice the cost of rentals in France. While you are on the Riveria, your expensive Italy car will be quite costly while sitting in a parking lot all day. What I'm doing this next June, is to turn in my Italian car in La Spezia, and then take the train to Nice - and not even renting a car till I'm ready to leave the Riveria. The drive from Rapello to Nice is not fun at all - especially around Genoa.
Stu Dudley
Where did you hear that? I don't think it is scenic along the coast at all, till you get to the Corniche de l'Esternel - starting at about La Napoule and ending at Agay. It is definatly not a 1 1/2 hr drive from Menton to St Tropez along the coast in July. I couldn't even guess how long it would take. The freeway inland is actually very scenic in spots - and that's a 1 1/2 hr drive.
We've spent over 13 weeks vacationing on the Riveria in the past several years. I think you are trying to do too much in just 3 days.
I much prefer Nice over Menton or Cannes. I would stay there - at the Windsor (ask for a room facing the garden). Exploring Nice could very likely consume an entire day or more - especially if you plan to hit the museums or get in a little beach time.
Cannes is OK, but not a whole lot different from Nice (the beach is sandy, however). A trip into the Nice Hinterland (St Paul, Vence, Tourrettes, Peille, Peillion, plus many other spots) would be a nice complement to the big/hard resort cities of Nice/Menton/Monte Carlo/Cannes.
I love St Tropez - but for just 3 days in July, I think visiting it would consume a very high percent of your limited time. You know, of course, that the beaches most people associate with St Tropez are not actually in St Tropez. You can't park the car for the day, see the town, and then lay on the beach. The beach (Pampelonne) is actually 20 mins away (probably much longer in July with the crowds). I would not do St Tropez as a day trip from Menton. In June & September I've experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic between Ste Maxime and St Tropez in the morning when the trongs arrive, and in the evening when they leave.
You mentioned a "reasonable price" on a hotel in Menton, so I assume there are some budget considerations. If you have checked out car rentals already, you will have found that rentals in Italy per day are about twice the cost of rentals in France. While you are on the Riveria, your expensive Italy car will be quite costly while sitting in a parking lot all day. What I'm doing this next June, is to turn in my Italian car in La Spezia, and then take the train to Nice - and not even renting a car till I'm ready to leave the Riveria. The drive from Rapello to Nice is not fun at all - especially around Genoa.
Stu Dudley
Nov 28th, 2005, 10:12 AM
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Stu - thank you for your quick and insightful response.
I think we will lean towards Nice for the one and a half days after Monaco, leaving the 3rd day open for Cannes, St. Paul, or more Nice.
In Nice, is there one particular beach area that you can recommend that we can walk to,and enjoy notwithstanding the "rocky" aspect, and as well, could you please recommend a few reasonably priced restaurants with ambience.
Finally, in regards to the car, we have already arranged for a compact station wagon for a week from autoeurope for $469 CDN. which we feel (and hope) is a good rate.We will be using the car to get the 3 of us from Rome to Rapallo, to Nice, to Lucca, and then, finally to Venice.
Although we are not counting our pennies, I am trying to arrange (and, I am somewhat ashamed to admit after what must easily have totalled at least 1,000 man hours on the computor, I have been more successful than not in achieving my goal) 4* and 3* accomodations for, respectively, 3* and 2* prices, and feel that the car and gas costs will more than be covered by the train ticket savings, the convenience of having our own transportation, and the feeling of having a 7-day road trip adventure in the middle of a 21 day holiday.
Once again, Stu, sincere thanks for bringing a little stability and an objective focus to our plans.
I think we will lean towards Nice for the one and a half days after Monaco, leaving the 3rd day open for Cannes, St. Paul, or more Nice.
In Nice, is there one particular beach area that you can recommend that we can walk to,and enjoy notwithstanding the "rocky" aspect, and as well, could you please recommend a few reasonably priced restaurants with ambience.
Finally, in regards to the car, we have already arranged for a compact station wagon for a week from autoeurope for $469 CDN. which we feel (and hope) is a good rate.We will be using the car to get the 3 of us from Rome to Rapallo, to Nice, to Lucca, and then, finally to Venice.
Although we are not counting our pennies, I am trying to arrange (and, I am somewhat ashamed to admit after what must easily have totalled at least 1,000 man hours on the computor, I have been more successful than not in achieving my goal) 4* and 3* accomodations for, respectively, 3* and 2* prices, and feel that the car and gas costs will more than be covered by the train ticket savings, the convenience of having our own transportation, and the feeling of having a 7-day road trip adventure in the middle of a 21 day holiday.
Once again, Stu, sincere thanks for bringing a little stability and an objective focus to our plans.
Nov 28th, 2005, 12:13 PM
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>>In Nice, is there one particular beach area that you can recommend that we can walk to,and enjoy notwithstanding the "rocky" aspect<
As you know, there is one long huge beach along the Promenade des Anglais - which runs for many miles. It is mix of alternating "private" beachs and public beachs. At the private beaches you can rent just a matlas, or a chaise lounge, or a chaise lounge with an umbrella. There are straw mats you walk on so you don't have to walk on the smoothe flat rocks. Waiters will bring you drinks & tend to your needs. The private beaches also have changing rooms, showers, lockers, and restaurants. They also have recreational "stuff" - like boats that will pull a parasail & hoist you up into the air over the Med for 10 mins or so. The private beaches have star ratings, just like the hotels do. We usually go to the Blue Beach - which is near the Negresco - a bit east of it. All the 3 & 4 starred places (I think that's the top rating - there may be a 4 star LUX also) would be very nice. It's real "decadent" way to spend the day in the sun. Remember - this is one very long beach, and the Promenade des Anglais is about 20 feet above the beach. People stroll along this promenate all hours of the day. The best time of day to get a panoramic view of the beach/promenade/Old Nice is early in the morning, from the chateau, high on the cliff at the east end of the promenade - you will see it. There are sections of the promenade that are shaded by large "awnings (they are not canvas), and there are lots of blue chairs scattered here & there to sit in. The promenade is especially active in the late evenings - with lots of people rollerblading, strolling, vendors cooking chestnuts, etc. Some of the hotels have bands playing mucic, that you can hear from the promenade. Many students camp on the beach in the evening.
>>and as well, could you please recommend a few reasonably priced restaurants with ambience.<<
I was afraid you would ask this question. My wife & I spend 2 months vacationing in France most years. That's 40 restaurant meals or so. We're real foodies. I don't ever remember having a memorable meal in Nice - all the dozen or so reasonably priced restaurants we've dined at were mediocre at best. However, dining on the Cours Saleya in Old Nice is a lot of fun - your 17 year old will especially enjoy it. The area is quite scenic, and in July it will be loaded with students late into the night. Craft vendors set up booths to display & sell there stuff. There are probably over 30 restaurants that kinda all run together - next to each other. I've dined at several of them and the food was a little less than OK but it's a lot of fun to dine on the Cours, people watch, and then stroll around the Cours and then the promenade in the late evening. Of all the hundreds of places we stayed in around France, we find Nice the most difficult to "call it a day" & go to bed - there is so much going on in the evening that's a "blast" to experience (BTW - we are in our mid/late 50s and are usually in bed by 10).
>>Finally, in regards to the car, we have already arranged for a compact station wagon for a week from autoeurope for $469 CDN. <<
Good - then you could consider some treks into the beautiful Nice Hinterlands, and explore some remote perched villages. E-mail me at [email protected] & I'll send you my 20+ page itinerary on the Cote & Provence that describes my favorite drives in the region.
Stu Dudley
As you know, there is one long huge beach along the Promenade des Anglais - which runs for many miles. It is mix of alternating "private" beachs and public beachs. At the private beaches you can rent just a matlas, or a chaise lounge, or a chaise lounge with an umbrella. There are straw mats you walk on so you don't have to walk on the smoothe flat rocks. Waiters will bring you drinks & tend to your needs. The private beaches also have changing rooms, showers, lockers, and restaurants. They also have recreational "stuff" - like boats that will pull a parasail & hoist you up into the air over the Med for 10 mins or so. The private beaches have star ratings, just like the hotels do. We usually go to the Blue Beach - which is near the Negresco - a bit east of it. All the 3 & 4 starred places (I think that's the top rating - there may be a 4 star LUX also) would be very nice. It's real "decadent" way to spend the day in the sun. Remember - this is one very long beach, and the Promenade des Anglais is about 20 feet above the beach. People stroll along this promenate all hours of the day. The best time of day to get a panoramic view of the beach/promenade/Old Nice is early in the morning, from the chateau, high on the cliff at the east end of the promenade - you will see it. There are sections of the promenade that are shaded by large "awnings (they are not canvas), and there are lots of blue chairs scattered here & there to sit in. The promenade is especially active in the late evenings - with lots of people rollerblading, strolling, vendors cooking chestnuts, etc. Some of the hotels have bands playing mucic, that you can hear from the promenade. Many students camp on the beach in the evening.
>>and as well, could you please recommend a few reasonably priced restaurants with ambience.<<
I was afraid you would ask this question. My wife & I spend 2 months vacationing in France most years. That's 40 restaurant meals or so. We're real foodies. I don't ever remember having a memorable meal in Nice - all the dozen or so reasonably priced restaurants we've dined at were mediocre at best. However, dining on the Cours Saleya in Old Nice is a lot of fun - your 17 year old will especially enjoy it. The area is quite scenic, and in July it will be loaded with students late into the night. Craft vendors set up booths to display & sell there stuff. There are probably over 30 restaurants that kinda all run together - next to each other. I've dined at several of them and the food was a little less than OK but it's a lot of fun to dine on the Cours, people watch, and then stroll around the Cours and then the promenade in the late evening. Of all the hundreds of places we stayed in around France, we find Nice the most difficult to "call it a day" & go to bed - there is so much going on in the evening that's a "blast" to experience (BTW - we are in our mid/late 50s and are usually in bed by 10).
>>Finally, in regards to the car, we have already arranged for a compact station wagon for a week from autoeurope for $469 CDN. <<
Good - then you could consider some treks into the beautiful Nice Hinterlands, and explore some remote perched villages. E-mail me at [email protected] & I'll send you my 20+ page itinerary on the Cote & Provence that describes my favorite drives in the region.
Stu Dudley
Nov 28th, 2005, 02:35 PM
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In Vieux Nice we always return to L'Ecurie, at 4, rue du Marché; it's at the opposite end from the Cour Saléys. Excellent Niçoise and some Italian specialties, in addition to good pasta and pizza. Also good is Spaghettissimo, right on the Cour Saléya.
Don't Miss St-Paul-de-Vence and Vence, too; both are charming villages, with St-Paul being the more arty of the two, with many galleries. Old Mougins is also delightful, and there you can have the pleasure of a meal at Le Feu Follet, another favorite of ours and of our French friends.
Don't Miss St-Paul-de-Vence and Vence, too; both are charming villages, with St-Paul being the more arty of the two, with many galleries. Old Mougins is also delightful, and there you can have the pleasure of a meal at Le Feu Follet, another favorite of ours and of our French friends.
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