My 18 year old daughter and I would like to visit some place other than Paris on our way back from Israel in June. We've been to Paris often and thought Nice would be a good alternative. Any suggestions? Restaurants, reasonable lodgings, etc. Thanks!

Do it! For some advice and things to do, see my phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=-run25

Great idea! I love Nice, and so do my kids ( 19 and 16). We have stayed many times at HOTEL WESTMINSTER, which has a fantastic location just across from the Med, and within easy walking distance of Old Nice. However, if you decide to stay there, definitely reserve a sea view upper floor room. Some of the other rooms are quite small and have no view.

Other hotels that are often recommended here on the forum:

HOTEL WINDSOR
HOTEL GRIMALDI
HOTEL SUISSE

Pricier lodgings would include:

PALAIS DE LA MEDITERRANEE and
LA PEROUSE

LE PALAIS is a renovated art deco palace, just a few blocks down from HOTEL WESTMINSTER. We stayed there two summers ago after finding a deal online, but it's usually very expensive. For a splurge it's worth it since the hotel has lovely if somewhat small rooms, a health club, a small pool, and very good restaurants on site.

There are lots of easy day trips from Nice by bus or train. St. Paul de Vence, a walled medieval city, takes a little less than an hour by bus. Monaco is about 20 minutes by train. St Jean Cap de Ferrat is about 30 minutes by bus, and has a beautiful seaside promenade, as well as several excellent seafood restaurants like LE SLOOP. You can also easily visit Antibes, Cannes, and in the opposite direction, Eze.

We tend to eat on the run in Nice, but two restaurants we've gone back to are: BARACUDA( wonderful thin crust pizzas) on Rue Meyer, and L'Indyana ( sorry- I don't have the address!) which is located in the industrial section of Nice, close to the Old Town.

Dear SemiMike, Merci beaucoup pour partager avec moi les photos magnifiques! They are beautiful and have just about sealed the deal for me. I loved your reference to Honfleur and I see the resemblance. By the way, you two are a cute couple! It looks as though you've shared some perfect travel adventures together! Okay, now to make the arrangements...Nice as the home base and day trips from there! Thanks again!

Weadles,
Thank you as well for your suggestions. I would love to find a deal at the Windsor! I'll keep looking and you never know... sometimes Hotwire and Priceline can offer good values. I'm getting excited!

kanoneli, je vous remercie pour vos mots gentils! (Corrections to my uncertain French are always welcome ...) Yes, if you click my screen name, you will see a number of threads with my various phototravelogues. I do this first of all to relive the trips, but sharing with the Fodorites is always a pleasure. Je vous souhaite un bon voyage!

SemiMike, Tres bien, le Francais!

Definitely Nice! We've stayed at the pricey La Pérouse (some rooms need renovation), the bland Beau Rivage, and have settled on the Mercure Promenade des Anglais for future visits. Rooms are bright and clean and generally of a good size; the ones with sea views are wonderful. Vieux Nice is a 10-minute walk and the nearby streets are lied with cafés, chocolate shops, and stores like Galeries Lafayette.