Nice offers a wonderful blend of French and Mediterranean cultures. Its old town, Vieux Nice, is a maze of narrow streets filled with colorful buildings, live ymarkets, and authentic French cafes. The location and public transportation make it a great destination to call homebase.

Some parts of Nice can be overcrowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. Accommodations and dining options in the city center can be pricey.

Cannes is famous for its annual film festival, but beyond the glamour, it has a charming old town (Le Suquet) with cobblestone streets, great shopping, and views of the city and sea.

Cannes is expensive, especially during the film festival. It's also heavily touristed, which can detract from the authenticity of the experience. HBTT recommends doing a day trip if you aren’t there for the festival.

Menton is often referred to as the "Pearl of France" for its picturesque setting between mountains and sea. It's known for its colorful buildings, gorgeous gardens, and serene beaches. The old town is filled with alleyways and hidden squares, perfect for exploring.

Menton is relatively quieter compared to other Riviera towns, which could be either a positive or negative depending on your preferences. It's also slightly farther away from major tourist attractions, so transportation is a factor when staying here

Antibes has a more relaxed atmosphere compared to its neighbors. The old town is charming and less crowded, with quaint streets, vibrant markets, and a beautiful marina filled with yachts.

Like other coastal towns, Antibes can get crowded during peak tourist seasons. Finding affordable accommodation near the city center might be challenging.

St. Tropez is synonymous with glamour, but it also has its authentic side. Explore the old town with its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and lively markets.

St. Tropez can be incredibly crowded and expensive, especially during the summer months. Traffic jams and parking shortages are common. Also, the city is located further away than the other homebase suggestions and transportation would need to be considered.

Monaco exudes luxury and opulence, but it also has its authentic side. Explore the old town (Monaco-Ville) with its narrow streets and visit the Prince's Palace for a glimpse into Monaco's history.

Monaco is one of the most expensive places in the world, so budget travelers might find it challenging to enjoy the city without overspending. It can also feel somewhat artificial due to its reputation as a playground for the rich and famous.

• Quaint fishing village with colorful buildings all the way to the sea

• Picturesque harbor filled with fishing boats and yachts

• Enjoy fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants

• Visit the Chapelle Saint-Pierre decorated by Jean Cocteau

• Perched hilltop village offering stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean

• Charming medieval streets lined with artisan shops and galleries

• Visit the Jardin Exotique for a unique collection of cacti and succulents

• Explore the ruins of the Eze Castle for a glimpse into the village's history

• Historic hilltop village known for its artistic heritage

• Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with art galleries and boutiques

• Visit the Fondation Maeght to see modern and contemporary art in a beautiful setting

• Admire panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the village walls

• Picturesque village perched on a rocky hilltop

• Known for its violet cultivation and annual Violet Festival

• Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with artisan shops

• Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and sea

• Exclusive peninsula known for its luxury villas and pristine beaches

• Explore scenic coastal paths with views of the Mediterranean

• Visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its stunning gardens

• Enjoy water sports and beachside dining in glamorous surroundings

• Charming hilltop village overlooking the Argens River

• Explore medieval streets and historic buildings

• Visit the ruins of the 10th-century castle for panoramic views

• Relax in the village square and enjoy local cuisine at cafes

• Historic village nestled in the mountains above Monaco

• Visit the Trophy of Augustus, a Roman monument dating back to 6 BC

• Wander through the old town's narrow streets and medieval architecture

• Enjoy panoramic views of Monaco and the Mediterranean coastline

A traditional Provençal fish stew made with various types of fish, shellfish, tomatoes, and flavored with saffron and herbs.

A refreshing salad featuring tuna, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives, green beans, and anchovies, typically dressed with olive oil.

A savory tart similar to pizza, topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, and olives.

Made worldwide by Remy the rat, the flavorful vegetable stew made with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, onions, bell peppers, and garlic, cooked in olive oil.

A thin, savory pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, and water, cooked in a wood-fired oven and served hot.

A sandwich made with round crusty bread filled with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, tomatoes, olives, and sometimes onions and peppers.

A type of flatbread typically flavored with olive oil and herbs, sometimes stuffed with cheese, olives, or other ingredients.

• Discover the old town of Antibes with its medieval ramparts & bustling markets.

• Relax on the sandy beaches of Juan-les-Pins, enjoy watersports or beach clubs.

• Take a walk along the Cap d'Antibes coastal path for scenic views of the coastline & luxury villas.

• Vernon Gorge, also known as the Gorges du Verdon, not far from the French Riviera.

• Rent a kayak or join a guided tour for dramatic limestone cliffs the stunning natural scenery from a unique perspective.

• You’ll get a scenic drive along the rim of the gorge; stop at viewpoints like Point Sublime for breathtaking vistas of the turquoise-green river below. Or hike along the numerous trails that offer varying levels of difficulty and stunning scenery.

• Visit the medieval hilltop village of Eze, hike up from the train station it’s steep but short. Climb up is around45 minutes.

• Explore the Jardin Exotique de Monaco, consider hiking the Nietzsche Pathway (Chemin de Nietzsche) from Eze Village to Eze-sur-Mer for spectacular scenery.

• La Palme d'Or at Hotel Martinez or Le Park 45 at Grand Hotel, Cannes

• Le Chantecler at Hotel Negresco or JAN, Nice

• Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris or Blue Bay at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Monaco

• Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and enjoy the beachfront atmosphere.

• Visit the Old Town (Vieux Nice) to wander through streets, visit local markets and colorful buildings.

• Hike up Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views of Nice and the coastline.

• Explore the boutiques and designer stores lining La Croisette, where you can shop while enjoying views of the Mediterranean Sea.

• Visit the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival.

• Take a boat trip to the Lérins Islands (Îles de Lérins) and explore the historic Fort Royal and Sainte-Marguerite Island.

• Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to the iconic town of Saint-Tropez, known for its beautiful beaches & celeb sightings.

• Wander around the Vieux Port (Old Port) for yachts.

• Visit the Musée de l'Annonciade to see an impressive collection of modern art.

Join a guided food tour around Nice at the start of your trip to get a good idea of what’s to come next.

Wine Tasting in Provence 2.5 hours from Nice are the picturesque vineyards of Provence; wineries such as Château de Berne or Château d'Esclans.

Vineyard Tour in Bandol Head to Bandol, famous for its bold red wines made primarily from Mourvèdre grapes. Take a guided tour of vineyards like Domaine Tempier or Domaine Ott.

Wine Tour in Bellet Discover the hidden gem of Bellet, a wine-producing region near Nice. Visit family-owned wineries such as Domaine de la Source or Château de Bellet.

Monaco is a tiny country nestled in the French Riviera. It’s hilly but you can walk the entire length of the country in a few hours.