I need a lot of help with this, so I thank you in advance for helping me out.
I have booked a honeymoon to France for my fiancé and I. Part of this honeymoon (3 nights) are in Nice August 24 - 27. I have a lot of planning left to do so all help is appreciated:
We need travel from Paris to Nice, I am thinking by Train, however, some people have recommended flights due to decreased time. Which would you recommend and why? Time is important as is price, but if one is more enjoyable then the other than that also plays a factor.
Related to the train travel I am in Canada, so our one option is to book a RailEurope France Pass from the Canadian website. With the passes do I buy the pass and then make the reservations on the trains I want? I am little confused by the website when they say you show your pass at the station which guarantees you boarding on the Train. I am planning on buying two First Class passes for France, but I want guaranteed seating on the early morning train, I don’t want to buy the pass and then not have a seat. (sorry if this makes no sense, I am a noob when it comes to European Travel as this will be our first trip)
Second question is we are going to be arriving in Nice at about 1 pm if we take the train, and have three days there. We are outdoors type people and certified divers so we plan to go Scuba Diving for half of a day. I have been recommended the following place to Dive any thoughts:
Nice Diving
14 quai des docks
Does anyone know if they run afternoon and morning dive trips? Also any other dive shops you would choose over the above?
As for the other two days, we would like to take in Monte Carlo for a half day or so. SO I guess my third question is what sights must we see while in Nice and what activites must we do. Both day and late night activites please. Basically I am looking for peoples must do list while in Nice and surrounding area. (ie. Museums, shows, opera, sights to see – ruins, etc).
Thanks for all your help I can’t wait to get to France.
Cheers
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This is a honeymoon. You want to relax together, scrambling about and stress should be kept to a minimum.
Paris to Nice - for me getting taxis to and fro airports and all that hanging around, security, queues, hate it - personally I%26#39;d take the train to relax - but it takes longer . Money wise there is little difference. TGV is quite fun Paris Nice
Europe rail passes for France? I don%26#39;t think so - they are mainly for students bumming six weeks around all Europe. I think you just want a pair of tickets to wherever you are going, period. If its Paris - Nice, thats what you want.
I%26#39;ll pass on the adventure sports. I find life quite interesting enough without having to add adventure sports too it. No doubt someone will throw in some tips
What to do? Well Monaco is the obvious top of the list for a good half day. The challenge is what to add to it.
Personally I would add a trip to the nearest thing to paradise this side, a trip to Villa Ephrussi on Cap Ferrat. Get some home decorating ideas from the Baroness Rothschild. And stroll around St Jean, maybe cocktails overlooking the harbour,at the Voile d%26#39;Or.
Eat at le Sloop - favoured by the very famous.
In Nice itself there is a well defined list of must-dos. Can I point you to a travelogue I made for this question over on VirtualTourist.com ?- You%26#39;ll quickly get the idea.
members.virtualtourist.com/m/6cdeb/188b0/4/
Its the top page for Nice, but hey, there are others, I%26#39;m not proud
Most important you need some spots for romantic evening meal. Put the scuba gear away and get busy with the credit card. The Negresco is the place to go which you%26#39;ll never forget - because your bank manager will constantly remind you!
Cheers
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Good advice above - as ever - however, to correct a point regarding rail passes, there certainly ARE such things, and they can be very cost saving.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm is the place to look at the relevant info. Note: for TGV travel, reservation is compulsory, simply turn up at the station - ideally the day before - and book your ticket.
The passes DO work, Do save money and are simple.
Enjoy, and congratulations!!
Terry.
PS. Depending on where and how you are travelling, you may find it simple and fun to buy the EuRail Select Pass the best bet, and take the hassle and time away from car hire etc.
Try: raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_selectp…
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Nice Life - the reason I mention the Rail Pass is because we are also going to Lyon for a Day and half and require train travel from Nice to Lyon.
With regards to the Rail Passes and booking at the station am I going to have a problem getting a spot on the Train to Nice First class if I only book using my Rail Pass 3 days in advance? I have been told Train Travel to the south of France from Paris books up really early. My concern is that the pass will not get me the tickets I need.
Thanks all this Forum is Great.
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Hi
In my limited experience of TGV travel, IMO it would be %26quot;unlikely%26quot; that it%26#39;d be booked up. The TGV trains are big and usually has a decent amount of room. If you book 3 days before you travel then you %26quot;should be%26quot; absolutely fine. However, please don%26#39;t take my word for it...life could be diferent in reality due to it being the holiday season etc!?
Interesting fact; you don%26#39;t have to go to the train station you are travelling from to book your tickets, ANY TGV station can book and issue your required tickets...so if there%26#39;s a TGV station near to where you are staying - as opposed to the Gare du Lyon in Paris (confusing if you%26#39;re not careful!) which is where the Nice train leaves from.
Also, Nice %26gt; Lyon for 1/2 a day is a bit of a trek. It%26#39;s 4 hours each way on the TGV, and that%26#39;s before you%26#39;ve done anything!!
I hope you realise that France is the third biggest European country, and it takes wuite some time to traverse.
PS. To wet your appetite, crystal clear blue skies and 32 degrees today...perfect baking conditions, and it%26#39;s still only June! Get your suncream ready!
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(Thanks for the tip on the rail tickets, H-i-F. Always learning)
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Regarding the Scuba diving, there are a few places around the Port, I can%26#39;t recommend a particular one, have only tried one to do a beginners dive a couple of years ago. However, the Nice tourist website lists a few, here are the name/addresses and numbers, a couple of phonecalls might whittle down the list to a few that are helpful or can offer you the level of dive you want:
AIGLE NAUTIQUE
50, boulevard Franck Pilatte
06300 NICE
Tel : 0493892333
CENTRE ECOLE DE PLONGEE LE POSEIDON
Quai Lunel
Port de Nice
06300 NICE
Tel : 0492004386
CIP NICE
2 ruelle des Moulins
BP 4022
06301 NICE CEDEX 4
Tel : 0493555950
CRIJ
19 Rue Gioffredo
06000 NICE
Tel : 0493809393
NAUSICAA
45 rue de Roquebilière
06300 NICE
Tel : 0493890413
NICE DIVING
26 boulevard Stalingrad
14 quai des docks
06300 NICE
Tel : 0493894244
SUB MARINE LOCAVENTURE
14 Bd de Riquier
06300 NICE
Tel : 0493898463
The easiest thing might be to wander around the port when you get there and look at the 3-4 diving centres and suss it out yourself in person, check the prices, times etc. They are all within a couple of minutes walk from each other, one is on the Castle Hill side, the others are on the far side of the port.
best wishes
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