Nice

The capital of the French Riviera, Nice, is blessed with year-round sunshine, palm-fringed beaches, and a glorious seafront promenade. Artists including Matisse and Chagall once called Nice home, and the city’s creative vibe lives on in its prized art museums, colourful Vieux Nice (Old Town), and annual Carnival celebrations.

A major port-of-call for cruise ships along the Mediterranean, Nice makes a strategic basecamp from which to explore the Côte d’Azur. Household names like Cannes and St Tropez are the prime draws for sunseekers, while Monaco and the Italian border lie just to the east. North of the city, the southern slopes of the French Alps afford plenty of options for outdoor adventures, giving way to the idyllic vineyards and villages of Provence.

Visit the Matisse Museum, marvel at the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, then head into Vieux Nice to explore the narrow streets and lively Flower Market. Ocean views await atop Colline de Chateau (Castle Hill), after which you can set out along the Promenade des Anglais and spend the rest of the day at the beach.