klein@ucbcad.UUCP (02/20/85)
My wife and I will be spending a few days on the French Riviera this May. We would like to stay in a nice, down-to-earth little hotel in Nice if possible. Does anyone know of such a place where we can reserve the room but not spend over $40-50 per night? Many thanks! -- -Mike Klein ...!ucbvax!ucbmerlin:klein (UUCP) klein%ucbmerlin@berkeley (ARPA)
bhs@siemens.UUCP (02/22/85)
Mike: From my own experience (also in May, 1983), I would say that you would have no problem finding a rrom in Nice, even if you did not have a reservation. With the dollar being as stron as it is, you should not be surprised to find a double room in a smaller, family run, hotel for about $20. Of course, you won't find one at midnight, but is you arrive in late afternoon or early evening, your chances are good. You will probably be able to find information at both the station, and the airport (no guarantees). A few suggestions: near Nice are several interesting towns: Eze le Village - on a cliff between Nice and MonteCarlo. Definite must Cagnes - just outside of Nice. Saint Paul de Vence - see the Fondation Maeght, which is one of the leading modern art museums of Europe. Antibes - go on a Saturday morning, when the local antique market is on. Find the center of town. While you are there, why not pop over to Juan les Pins, and Cannes? Another certain thing on your itinerary should be to take the coastal road between Cannes and St. Raphael (west from Cannes). This stretch takes you along the foot of the Esterel mountains, and is probably one of Europe's prettier drives. It is a twisting road, so take your time. In fact, not knowing the rest of your itinerary, I will venture a proposal for you: why not leave Nice, drive along the coast to St.Raphael, and then take the Autoroute (turnpike) to Aix en Provence, which is half an hour north of Marseille. Having lived in Aix for 6 months, I can certainly recommend it. It' geographic location also makes it a suitable base for forays into the Provence ( Nimes, Arles, Avignon, etc.). Fruthermore, Barcelona is an easy day's drive, Paris is ca. 10 hours, Geneva ca 6 hours. If not, just wander through the center of town, and take coffee along the Cours Mirabeau. A section of town is literally littered with old, original Hotels de Ville. From Aix, also visit the Calanques (minifjords) near Cassis. Call ahead to Aix, May is in the festival season, you might want to make sure that there is in fact not a festival going on and you will be able to sleep there. Oh, Aix is ca. 2.25 hours by highway form Nice, so at least do yourself the favor of going there on a daytrip. If you will not have a car, there is even an express bus twice a day, luxury coach (beats any greyhound for comfort) at reasonable rates. I have plenty more ideas for you, if you want to hear them, just drop me a line! Bernard H. Schwab Siemens RTL, Princeton, NJ work (609) 734 6592
mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor) (02/26/85)
>Antibes - go on a Saturday morning, when the local antique market is on. Find >the center of town. While you are there, why not pop over to Juan les Pins, and >Cannes? Don't mention Juan les Pins in the same breath as Antibes!! Antibes is delightful, Juan les Pins horrible (to my tastes). The two towns join across the neck of the peninsula Cap d'Antibes, which is itself fascinating as a place to walk. Go from Antibes up to the old pilgimage chapel on the height of Cap d'Antibes and look at the views. Then go down toward the cape itself, and marvel at the millionaires' estates. I endorse the suggestion to visit Cagnes sur Mer (Cros de Cagnes is actually by the sea, if I remember well). Also, for fans of modern excess, there is a remarkable apartment complex by the beach at the other end of the bay from Cagnes, perhaps half-way to Antibes. It should be seen, if perhaps not believed. -- Martin Taylor {allegra,linus,ihnp4,floyd,ubc-vision}!utzoo!dciem!mmt {uw-beaver,qucis,watmath}!utcsri!dciem!mmt