thursdaysd

@PQ - the name is Euskotren.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euskotren_Trena

I would certainly call it a commuter line, and I have ridden it.

StCirq

We rented a spacious two-bedroom apartment in SS for us two couples. It was under 100€ a night per couple. The location was stellar, but the apartment itself was not the "luxury property" it claimed to be. That was fine with us - our friends picked it, we didn't , and there was nothing we couldn't deal with in it - but it was a new rental and I think the owner was just kind of getting used to being an apartment owner with short-term rentals. We did look at several other apartments that were in the same price range but not so centrally located, all in the same price range. I didn't get the impression that finding decent accommodations was all that hard in SS, but of course its reputation means higher prices than other places in Spain. At any rate, we spent so much time outside the apartment we really couldn't complain about the description not exactly matching the reality.

Desinator

We were in Nice in September this year. It was busy with many people out on the Promenade but not hard to get a restaurant reservation. The light on the sea at sunset was amazing. Having a cocktail on the patio of the Negresco was fun. We took an Uber one day to St Paul de Venice for lunch at the Colombe D'Or and walking around and checking out the art inside the walls and at the Foundation Maeight one day. Another day we got a driver who took us through Antibes, Cannes, then to St Tropez for lunch and to see the Annunciad and then on an impulsive excursion to Mustier St Marie, which was touristy but very scenic. They make faience there. It was awesome and beautiful everywhere we went. We also walked all around the old town of Nice to various markets and museums. It was lovely. I recommend it.

WoinParis

SS like in Schutz Staffeln ?

These letters are never to be used in Europe !

Nice is very nice. Côte d'Azur is superb yes touristy and jammed packed between 14 of July to 15 of August.

Who said you don't have good food in southern france ? There are even people who don't like Charleroi or calarasi or douai or ...

annhig

bmk to keep link to Stu's great information.

jtpj777

As a resident of Nice for most of this year I feel obliged to stick up for my adopted city!

Trouble is that many people commenting negatively on Nice probably spend one or two nights there in August after they have been visiting "cute little, quaint villages and markets", in Western Provence and the Dordogne and so come away from Nice with an impression of it that it is somehow overcrowded. They probably spend time in the Rue de France area and Old Town before heading to St Paul de Vence,Eze Monaco, Cannes, St Tropez (nightmare in summer)etc.

I suspect that the people who actually get to KNOW Nice and its surroundings, folk like Christina, Stu etc, are more positive about the area. If you know where to go, even in August, you can have a decent time in the area and actually get away from the worst of the crowds.

OF COURSE, Nice is busy: it is a city. Paris is also a city and has many people; should people not visit there because it is not a quaint village? I visited Amalfi last March - it was heaving with tour groups, something that is not apparent in Nice.

Your original post mentioned that you like to mix things up: city and country. One of the reasons I chose to live in Nice was because of its diversity - you can ski/walk in the mountains in the morning and be swimming in the afternoon.

PS IMO Nice is a far more attractive city than Marseille (but I would say that, wouldn't I!)

jtpj777

FYI Perhaps check out this hotel in Villefranche. I haven't stayed there but have heard decent reports and it may fit closer to your budget:

http://www.hoteldeladarse.com/alpes-maritimes/

In French, I'm afraid but have a look under "tarifs" for prices.

sundriedtopepo

Thanks everyone for the insights, information and personal observations, this helps a lot.

Stu for all the tidbits, jtpj777 for personal experience, St Cirq as always inspired advice, all the photos and hotel suggestions, much appreciated.

Sorry to have offended you wat.

Now I have to find some time to work out the details.

StCirq

I think it was I who offended WoinParis by using SS, but we know each other and I doubt he is really offended, are you Wo? I was tired. It's an abbreviation for San Sebastián, that's all. I'm well aware of the other implication. Désolée.

Michael

SS is a questionable abbreviation for anyone who has reason to remember W.W.II. I cringe every time I see it used to abbreviate Social Security.

WoinParis

I was not offended, I just don't like to see these letters.

One of my former bosses used it all the time for Stainless Steel.

(Besides, you cannot offend me, friends don't offend each others).

PalenQ

using SS, but we know each other and I doubt he is really offended, are you Wo? I was tired. It's an abbreviation for San Sebastián, that's all.>

Yes and anyone should realize that - if the sound of SS for San Sebastian offends you look at yourself- you obviously know it was not meant as you may think.

I would not throw the term around lightly otherwise but this was a no-brainer by StCirq when she did it, tired.

PalenQ

These letters are never to be used in Europe!>

Achtung!

PalenQ

(SS) These letters are never to be used in Europe!>

The Strade Statali, abbreviated SS, is the Italian national network of state highways. The total length for the network is about 18,000 km (11,000 mi).

Well the Italians seem to have no qualms about using SS as in their highway system (SS 5, etc.)