| Situated at the Eastern end of the French Riviera, | | | | black markets in Europe and many of the |
| Nice acts as a travel hub for many locations and | | | | products there are fake replicas of designer |
| attractions along the Cote d'Azur and also for | | | | goods. Sunglasses, watches and clothing of all the |
| some across the nearby border with Italy. Nice | | | | top brands can be found, but there are also more |
| airport has long been a major arrival point for | | | | traditional market goods such as food and |
| visitors to this part of France and provides a | | | | flowers. It's certainly a fun place to visit on |
| stopping point for many low coast airlines that | | | | market day. |
| bring passengers to the area. | | | | Further east into Italy and the start of the Italian |
| Nice airport is quite large by any standards and | | | | Riviera is marked by San Remo, a beautiful tourist |
| has a wealth of facilities to satisfy the large | | | | destination which its own abundance of history. |
| tourist volumes that pass through. Check-in and | | | | Local shops and markets, as well as two marinas |
| baggage processes are very efficient and there | | | | and many hotels and restaurants make the pace |
| are plenty of car-hire options to choose from. | | | | an interesting one to stay in and of course the |
| Nice airport is linked directly to a modern road | | | | weather in this part of the world is usually warm |
| network which provides fast motorways both | | | | and sunny. |
| westward towards Cannes and eastward towards | | | | A journey to the west of Nice along the coast |
| Italy. | | | | road takes you first to the old town of Antibes. |
| Drive along the A8 motorway to the east and | | | | The walled town of Antibes has a long history |
| you will quickly come across signs to the | | | | dating back to 43BC when the town fell under |
| principality of Monaco, home to the famous Grand | | | | Roman control for the next 500 years. Now |
| Prix and also to many wealthy individuals | | | | Antibes is a town attracting a young population |
| attracted to the country because of its | | | | but also a nautical one. The marina at Port Vauban |
| advantageous taxation rules and glamorous image. | | | | is the largest single yacht harbour in Europe with |
| Monaco can claim many records, including being | | | | space for over 2000 yachts. Many of the yachts |
| the most densely populated sovereign country | | | | that are too large for the other marinas along the |
| and the second smallest country in the world. The | | | | coast seek moorings here. |
| principality claims tourism as its main economy | | | | Cannes is an attractive coastal resort only 15 |
| and strangely, although the casinos in Monaco are | | | | miles West from Nice that also benefits from an |
| famous, citizens of the country are forbidden | | | | upmarket image. There is plenty to see and do |
| from using them. Although Monaco is not part of | | | | here but for many a stroll along the famous |
| the European Union it does use the Euro as its | | | | Boulevard de la Croisette, which is flanked at both |
| currency. | | | | ends by impressive marinas, is enough to pass |
| If you pass Monaco and continue eastwards from | | | | the time. The international film festival that takes |
| Nice you will approach the Italian border within 30 | | | | place in Cannes every May sees the place |
| kilometres. Just across the border are two | | | | transformed, as celebrities and film professionals |
| locations worthy of a visit. Despite is vast history | | | | take over the town. Almost 25,000 film industry |
| and wonderful architecture, the town of | | | | and press are attracted to the festival and for |
| Ventimiglia has become famous for its Friday | | | | anyone not associated with the event it is |
| street market which causes the place to become | | | | probably wise to avoid seeking accommodation in |
| gridlocked with visitors, including many who travel | | | | the town unless you are prepared for the high |
| across from France for the day. The market has | | | | prices that come into play during the period. |
| gained a reputation of being one of the biggest | | | | |