My travel partner and I are planning a trip to the French Riviera next fall. We have already gone to France twice, to Toulouse, Aix, Marseilles, Montpelier, Avignon, and other smaller towns in these areas. We were also in Paris several years ago. We stay in one or two areas and day trip to the outlying areas of interest. We would like to do the same next trip, so I wonder if you can offer any advice as to whether Nice or Antibes is the better base camp. Some of the little Italian towns farther east are also very appealing—one idea is to stay in Nice 4 or 5 days and then move to Italy—perhaps Portofino?
We’re both women in our 70s, fit, and adaptable, friends since high school. Not luxury travelers—we usually eat from the markets, but we love comfy beds and local cuisines.
Any advice for us? Thanks!