Please sign in to post.

Villages & Vineyards of Eastern France tour -- extra time in Nice?

If there are posters out there that have taken this Rick Steves tour, would you recommend extra time in Nice at the end of the tour? Looking at the itinerary, the bus arrives in the afternoon and the next day is "All Day for Village Riviera". The following morning the tour is done at breakfast. Did you feel there was more you could do in Nice and the surroundings after breakfast or that you already had a good feel for the area? I took a tour several years ago that spent 1.5 days in the Cinque Terra and I had the feeling I could have used another day or two to hike the trails, visit the beach, etc. I know there is always more to see and do, so this is a subjective decision, but I'm trying to decide whether to fly back the day the tour ends or spend an extra day (or 2) in Nice.

Posted by
687 posts

I haven't taken that tour, but I have stayed in Nice twice, for six days each time, so I would definitely recommend staying on after the tour. Besides things to do in Nice itself, it is a great base for trips into the surrounding area.

Posted by
8293 posts

I agree with Kathy. A couple of extra days in Nice would give you time to see the museums there, too. A lot of people seem to miss out on them, especially the Nice Museum of Modern Art.

Posted by
687 posts

While we're putting in good words for museums, I'd add the Museum of Asian Art, which is over by the airport and doesn't (or didn't last time I looked) make it into Rick's books. And last time I was there I did the hike around St. Jean Cap Ferrat. After you've seen the Villa Kerylos and the gardens at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild this is one of the best things to do if you like good scenery. I'd actually recommend starting on the west side, and then turning back at the lighthouse and retracing your steps - the east side wasn't as nice. Take your own food and water.

Posted by
891 posts

John, We are taking the Villages & Vineyards tour this fall and are staying on in Nice for 2 extra nights. I have not scheduled our extra time, but it looks like there will be plenty that we would like to do and much that we probably still won't have time for. I am also looking at the transportation options for the arrival in Reims. Are you going straight there or spending time in Paris first? Have a Great Trip!
Mimi

Posted by
1060 posts

I'm going to spend a few days in Paris first; I don't have any doubts about finding things to do there!

Posted by
141 posts

John: I will be taking the Villages and Vineyards tour this September but because of time constraints will not be spending extra time in Nice. I took the Best of France tour and we ended in Nice. There is so much to do so if time is on your side, stay an extra day or two in Nice -- it's nice. :-) I took a public bus to Monaco and thoroughly enjoyed the scenic route (grab a window seat), visited the Jaques Cousteau aquarium, Princess Grace's tomb, the botannical gardens, etc. Had a wonderful gourmet lunch. There is much to see and do - just even people watching on the boardwalk is fun.

Posted by
1060 posts

Thanks for all the help. I've decided to add an extra day after the tour in Nice.