Rimwall

We plan to spend two full days in these three places.

1. Which city is the best for us to stay for three nights? And any suggestions on economic accommodations? (we plan to travel to the other two cities from where we stay, and then taking train from Monaco to Venice afterwards)

2. What to do and see there? A daily itinerary is better :=)

Thanks!

Underhill

Stay in Nice, much the most pleasant of the 3 cities you've named. A half-day is adequate for Cannes, and the same for Monaco.

Economic lodgings: how much in Euros?

What to do and see--check out the "destinations" section in orange at the top of this page. It's difficult to make detailed recommendations without knowing what interests you. You might also want to pick up a guidebook and do some research so you have a sense of what kind of time commitments are involved.

LoriS

It really depends on what you want to do and see.

For us, a crowded beach in Nice is just what we don't want. We've stayed a few times in Eze-Village at Chateau de Chevre d'Or which is great for the view, but we really enjoyed our last trip when we stayed at Le Metropole in Beaulieu-sur-mer. We didn't do anything but lay at the pool and swim in the Mediterranean. Perfect for us.

If you give everyone a bit more of your preferences, your responses will be much more tailored to your likes.

beaupeep

My husband and I go to Nice quite often as we both grew up on the US East Coast and now live in Switzerland and need our annual sea fix. We prefer staying in Nice and have found that the Citadines hotel on Blvd F. Grosso (around 80 euros a night for a 2 rm studio) which is a block away from the Promenade des Anglais is perfect for us. If you stay in the back it is extremely quiet.

As Underhill said, Monaco is a half day visit at the most - we are not fans of Cannes and never go there at all.

A nice walk to do is to take the train to Menton and walk back along the path littoral, along the sea to Villeneuve where there is a great little restaurant right on the beach. It is also not crowded and doesn't have the undertow that the Nice beaches sometimes have.

Rimwall

Underhill, LoriS and beaupeep,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions and info. Based on these tips, I think we'll spend half day in Monaco, half day in Cannes, and one day in Nice. No specific interests, just want to soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere there, and maybe visit one or two arts galleries - any good ones to recommendate?

cheribob

You have to go to Monte Carlo when you are in Monaco. I could not imagine going to Monaco and not seeing the casino. It is so exqusitely beautiful inside and the gardens are beautiful also.

You don't even have to gamble but IMHO it is definitely a must see.

TimS

Nice makes a great base for day trips. If you're art lovers, be sure to visit the Chagall and Matisse museums. The Orthodox cathedral is said to be the finest of its kind outside of Russia.

IMO, Antibes with its walled old city is much more interesting than Cannes.

Visit the Musee Oceanographique (aquarium) in Monaco. Walk the secluded stretch of beach from Monaco to Cap d'Ail (going back toward Nice).

Take the bus to a hilltop village like Eze or La Turbie.

TimS

My wife and I and our adult daughter spent five nights in the Hotel le Clemenceau in Nice a year ago in June. It's a spacious, two-star, air-conditioned hotel located between the Nice Ville train station and the beach. If you're looking for economy without being cramped, it's a good choice. A double costs E58. See www.hotelclemenceau.com.