Holidays to Nice

The largest city on the Cote d'Azur in the south of France, Nice package holidays offer beautiful scenery, elegant surroundings, and the chance to holiday among Europe's rich and famous. Between its rocky beach, winding streets of the Old Town, and the rest of the hilltop city, a weekend in Nice has something to offer everyone. Long a draw for celebrated painters, including Renoir, Chagall, and Matisse, the city is home to its fair share of art in addition to fun in the sun, even if the warm Mediterranean climate is the main draw! For those interested in outdoor sports or history, the city also has plenty to offer.

Nice is on Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK. The currency is euro, and although many people speak English, a few words of French might help. Nice Airport is around 5km to the southwest of town. There are two terminals; if your flight to Nice is with British Airways you'll typically land at T1, whereas flights to Nice from London on Air France or the budget carriers will arrive at T2. You can also use budget airlines for flights from Manchester to Nice or from other regional airports such as Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Bristol. The easiest way into town is on the number 99 airport bus, with frequent departures through the day.

Nice enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, so there's really no bad time to visit. Nice weekend breaks are popular in the spring and autumn, and in summer there many Nice package holidays on offer. Temperatures peak in July and August between 25°C and 30°C, and with August the traditional month for the French to take their holidays, this tends to be the busiest time of year. Should you happen to come in February and March, you can take part in Niçoise Carnival festivities.

Nice flight and hotel deals are all about rest and relaxation. The city is designed with strolling in mind, so head to the Promenade des Anglais and enjoy 6km of seaside walking, with stunning views and plenty of cafes and restaurants. Watersports opportunities are available at many locations along the coast, and inland you can golf or go horseback riding. Should you be visiting in winter, you can head up into the nearby Alps to ski.

Beaches are the obvious attraction in Nice, but if you want more from Nice city breaks, the city has many options.

• Head into the narrow streets of the Old Town, where you'll find an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and boutique shops, perfect for an afternoon's browsing.
• Perhaps the most unusual building in Nice is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, notable for its traditional architecture. It is free to visit.
• Fans of 20th century art won't want to miss the city's Chagall Museum or the Picasso Museum just along the coast in Antibes. Nice is also home to one of the largest collections of work by Matisse, at the Musée Matisse.
• A 25min drive along the motorway brings you to the millionaires' playground of Monte Carlo, with its iconic Casino and royal palace.
• A day out in Italy is also easily within reach; it takes 40 minutes to drive to the coastal town of Ventimiglia.
• Grasse, about an hour's drive from Nice, is the centre of the French perfume industry. The fragrance houses of Fragonard and Galimard both offer free tours of the production processes.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Nice.

Eating out in Nice

Plan your flight and hotel for Nice and get ready to feast on the dish named for the city: salade niçoise. Perfect for lunch on a hot summer's day, the salad combines the best ingredients Provence has to offer: tuna, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and green beans, with sliced boiled eggs.

Another local speciality, one which isn't so easily found elsewhere, is socca, a crispy chickpea flour-based savoury pancake, usually eaten plain but sometimes topped with tomato or salad. Insider tip: though it's a streetfood, socca pairs quite nicely with a glass of Provençal rosé! Nice also claims to be the home of ratatouille, and this is found on the menu of many local restaurants. Whatever cuisine you choose, you'll find an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and big flavours.

Ideal souvenirs to bring home from Nice

Nice's Old Town is full of tiny, charming shops, and the Cours Saleya daily morning outdoor market can't be missed. Olive oil is a popular gift, as are products made with Provençal lavender. Local textiles, either traditional table lines or towels, add a touch of French flair to any home.