By tylerdurden1 (Flickr)

Monaco is also home to the Grand Prix. The event draws a big crowd and some of the best yaughts in the world can be seen lining the shoreline. Favourite celebrity haunts include the Hotel de Paris, the Columbus and the Grand.

Popular bars in Monte Carlo include the Chip and Castle (42 quai Jean Charles Rey) Flashman’s (7 Avenue Princesse Alice), McCarthy’s (7 rue du portier), Black Diamond (11 avenue Princesse Grace) and Le Point Rouge (11 rue du Portier).

If you fancy hitting a nightclub The Living Room (7 avenue des Speluges), the Legend (3 avenue des Speluges), Star ‘N’ Bars (6 quai Antoine 1er) and Moods (place du Casino) are the best options.

How to get there:

Buses and trains run regularly between Nice and Monte Carlo. Click here for more information.

View of Monte Carlo over the Bay of Monaco by Strapontin (WikiCommons)

For more information about Monaco Monte Carlo visit the city’s tourist information site.

Situated on the famous Promenade des Anglais it is ideally placed for people watching and celeb spotting. The Negresco is also a member of hospitality group – the Leading Hotels in the World.

The hotel was built in 1912 and overlooks the Bay of Angels. It is also one of the last remaining privately owned palaces in the world. Jeanne Augier brought the hotel in 1957 and has tried to create a “museum-hotel” for her visitors – and her plan has worked, the Negresco was classified as a national historical monument in 2003. The hotel also has its own place in history. After World War One broke out the Negresco was used as a hospital

The interior represents France’s history and contains antiques, tapestries and historical artwork dating from the renaissance to present day. Discover the hotel’s historical royal portraits as well as stopping by the artwork of more contemporary artists such as Moretti, Dali, Sosno, Gruau and Nike de Saint-Phalle. A fantastic 16,309 crystal chandelier hangs in the lobby. It was originally commissioned by Czar Nicholas II but never received it following the outbreak of the October revolution.

As well as the stunning décor the Negresco is home to one of Nice’s top restaurants the Michelin starred Chantecler. The dining room is decked out in regency style and 18th century woodwork throughout. However, remember to bring your wallet as the food is not cheap. Set lunchtime menus start at 50 Euros, and set dinner menus start at 90 Euros. The restaurant is closed every Monday and Tuesday except on bank holidays.

A stay at the Negresco will set you back between 290 Euros and 1880 Euros depending on what room you choose and the time of year. High season usually falls between August and November. For more information visit: http://www.hotel-negresco-nice.com/index-gb.htm

By Markus Bernet (wikimedia commons)

Petits Farcis is run by Rosa Jackson. Rosa is a food critic and cookbook author – you may have seen her work in Australian Gourmet Traveller, France Magazine, The Evening Standard, Food and Travel Magazine, Time Out South of France, and Time Out Paris Eating and Drinking Guide. Her book Gourmet Paris won the Gourmet World Cookbook award for best travel guidebook in 2007.

The menu varies according to season. In the spring you can expect to cook with young broad beans, wild asparagus, bitter oranges and artichokes. Summer you will experiment with ratatouille and salade nicoise. Autumn play with the vegetable harvest and in winter soups are the order of the day.

Classes take place in a 400 year old building (now with air-conditioning) on Rue du Jésus.

Classes are available every day of the week except Monday and have a maximum of 6 participants. The minimum class size is 2. Usually, classes take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The cooking class and a four course lunch costs 160 Euros per person and if you want to include a tour of the local market as well it is an extra 35 Euros per person. The course last about 4 hours, but allow an extra hour and a half for the market tour. Five day intense cooking classes are also offered.

To book a class, and for more information visit: http://www.petitsfarcis.com

All this talk of food made you hungry? For a little inspiration now check out these Nice recipe sites: http://www.nicerendezvous.com/car/nice-cooking/accueil.html, and http://www.aftouch-cuisine.com/recipes-theme/nice+france+foods.htm

By WordRidden (Flickr)

Nice cycle tours will take you to all the major tourist attractions – from the beaches, to the parks, to the bars and the bistros. Cycle around the famous Promenade des Anglais, the hotel Negresco, the Place assena, the old town and market, the colline, and the port on this three hour tour. The tour will set you back 30 Euros. Bike, helmet and drinks are included in the price. The cycle ride is about 10km.

If you’re up for a more challenging cycle, (around 25km) and are of good fitness, why not try the bike ride from Nice to Cap Ferrat via the port of Villefranche. You will also cycle past one of the world’s most expensive houses. This five hour round trip takes you up two 80m climbs, but you are rewarded with a stop off at beach – don’t forget your swimming things. Packed lunch isn’t included so you may want to plan ahead and stop by the local market for inspiration. You will also visit one of the world’s most expensive houses.

Reservations must be made and run from Monday to Friday and costs 50 Euros per person.

It is recommended that you wear a hat, t-shirt and shorts and remember to bring sun cream. Tours are for those aged 15 and over. For more information visit: http://www.nicecycletours.com

If you’re more of a DIY kind of traveler Holiday Bikes rent bikes from 14 Euros per day. You can choose from a range of urban, mountain or mixed bikes, or if you’re really itching for adventure you can hire scooters and motorcycles to get further afield. For more information visit http://www.loca-bike.fr/en

BY PSD (flickr)

Hotels are one of the simpler (though usually pricier) Riviera venue choices. They do have additional perks, though: you can take advantage of the Michelin-star chef and the private villas for rent at Hotel du Cap Ferrat, or spend a bit less and soak up the history at one of the centuries-old mansions in the Villefranche-du-mer, such as the Villa Vauban. If you can and want to go big, though, the star of wedding venues is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The seaside gardens of this magnificent estate are unparalleled along the Riviera. And there are even seaside churches, like the Eglise Anglican de Nice, where you can celebrate your nuptials in your religion but still enjoy the ocean views.

Of course, with such beautiful weather, why not take the ceremony outdoors? The expanse of beaches along Nice’s waterfront is divided into private and public beaches, and many private beaches are available for exclusive use for a fee. The cliffs and hills around the city also make a lovely place for a wedding. To take advantage of the outdoor settings, it can be useful to use one of Nice’s many wedding planners. A planner can help you pick out flowers, you can visit one of the many florists in town, or do things spontaneously and on the cheap and just go to a flower market day-of and pick out what looks most beautiful.

For a large dinner or reception, there are a number of places that seat large groups out in fragrant gardens – the perfect spot for a pre- or post-wedding gathering. Au Rendez Vous des Amis fits the bill, with simple yet refined French food, group seating, and a great wine list. Any last minute needs? Send guests without an outfit to BM to get dressed up in style, and anyone needing a last minute gift or some socks can find what they need at Galeries Lafayette.

[photo courtesy of julie@organikal]

The beachfront here is divided up into public and private beaches, both of which have their upsides and downsides. Public beaches are free, but can get crowded, particularly in the peak tourist months. Private beaches cost a few euros, but are less crowded and frequently chairs and occasionally towels are provided (though sometimes at an extra cost). For a quieter tanning spot or safer place for children to play, one of these beaches is probably your best bets. If you’re willing to shell out a bit more, too, these beaches can be downright luxurious.

Connecting beaches both public and private is the Promenade des Anglais, a boardwalk that runs for several miles along the shoreline. You can find hotels and cafes all along the Promenade, and can just find a chair to lounge in and read or just enjoy the views. There are also some spectacular architectural marvels along the boardwalk, like the Palais de Mediterranee, which is also a nice place to stop in for a drink or glass of wine.

Of course, there are also boating opportunities galore. Set out in a yacht or sailboat for hire from one of the marinas for an exciting fishing expedition — or a romantic evening on the water. However you choose to explore the Riviera’s azure waters, this is sure to be a spring break you’ll always remember.

[photo courtesy of Carnaval King 08]