There is another kind of holiday which can be enjoyed by visitors to this part of France though. As well as enjoying the glamour, shopping and history of Nice, visitors can relax in one of the many luxury spa hotels which are dotted around this part of Provence.

There are several luxury hotels offering many modern health and wellness treatments. For fitness lovers, a hotel with a gym might well be the prime target, and there are plenty of good hotels within easy reach of Nice with top quality gyms.

After exercise though, it may well be that you need some massage to help your mind and muscles relax and recover. Different kinds of massage are on offer at the various spa hotels within the region, with specialties such as Indian head massage on offer at several.

You can also pick up some good advice in a spa or health centre. As part of your trip, you may well be able to speak to health professionals who can provide you with tips and hints that you can take home with you to improve your lifestyle and health. Dietary advice can be especially valuable in this context.

Another great way of relaxing is to enjoy a sauna or steam room. The heat here will help to clear the stress from your body, as well as cleanse the pores of your skin and help your body to detoxify itself more quickly. A jacuzzi can increase this process further.

Once you have detoxed and unwound sufficiently, it might well be time to explore what Nice can offer in the way of healthy food and drink. There is a wonderful fruit and vegetable market which is held on the famous Cours Saleya every morning except Mondays.

This wonderful spectacle will delight anyone who enjoys eating wonderful fruit and vegetables, with long trestle tables loaded with marvellous produce. There are also some more sinful delicacies on offer for those who want a break from all that healthiness, with pastries and candied fruits sold for those who want to enjoy a treat or two.

Nice luxury spa breaks are a great way of seeing just what this part of France can offer. As well as enjoying the delights of one of France’s finest cities, you can also return from holiday feeling healthier than when you set off. Surely that must be incentive enough to explore what this kind of holiday destination can offer.

A good place to start any exploration of Nice’s parks and gardens is at the Jardin Botanique. Located at 78 avenue de la Corniche-Fleurie, this three hectare sight contains over 3000 varieties of plants, many of them typical of the Mediterranean region. Its hillside location means that visitors are also rewarded with great views of the Rover Var and the sea. Guided tours take place each day for visitors who want to learn more about what is on view.

Another pleasant place is La Cascade de Gairaut, situated at the Avenue de Gairaut. Here, visitors can see a waterfall and a chalet which were built to mark the construction of a canal in 1883. This canal was built to move water from the Vésubie River to Nice. the waterfall drops into a symmetrical pool, while the chalet sits on some artificial rocks above it. It is a piece of charming local history which will appeal to people who like their landmarks to be a little quirky.

The Jardin Albert 1er is one of the oldest parks in Nice, and is situated on the iconic Promenade des Anglais. Running from the sea front to the Place Massena, many different species of palm trees and roses create a lovely landscape here. Vast lawns are punctuated with ponds and fountains. Walking through this park actually provides visitors with a green and pleasant route into the city centre, with the park adjoining the Place Massena. A bandstand and a theatre in the park provide additional opportunities for entertainment.

Close to the Amphitheatre, you can find the Jardin du Monastere, an Italian style garden which covers almost a square kilometre. This used to be the vegetable garden and orchard, and there is much of the old layout still in place. Old pergolas are covered with climbing roses, and the fragrance of many thousands of flowers hangs in the air. Visitors can also enjoy some stunning views of the city.

With many other parks and gardens to explore in Nice, lovers of green spaces are unlikely to be disappointed with a trip to the city. The Cap de Nice itself, while not a garden, is a great way to end any visit, with its superb views of the sea and Cap-Ferrat. You can really can give your senses a feast in the city of Nice.

Nice is also home to the region’s premier opera house, designed by Garnier, who designed the more famous Paris Opera. There are several elegant bars and cafes close to the Opera House, which are ideal for a quiet and relaxing pre-opera drink. The Cabaret du Casino Rul brings a touch of nearby Monte Carlo to Nice, with its casino and burlesque show, while several cinemas, notably the Mercury on Garibaldi Square show films in both French and English. Nice also has a thriving gay scene, with many gay friendly bars and clubs conveniently located in the old town.

However, to many visitors, Nice nightlife means enjoying some of the many bars, clubs and discos that can be found all over the city. Some bars and clubs have been in business for so long, they have become fixtures. These include Le Before, often the first stop on a Nice pub crawl, as well as Le Relais, once the haunt of the actress Lillie Langtry. One of the longest established nightspots is La Bodeguita del Havana, which offers a Latin American atmosphere, complete with salsa and reggae music.

If you want to meet people from the UK who live in and around Nice, several places are popular with British expats. These include William’s Pub, Big Ben and the Scarlett O’Hara Irish pub. Another popular place offering reminders of the UK is Chez Wayne’s, which is lively most evenings, with sporting events on television and a regular schedule of live bands. On the other hand, La Civette is popular with locals, and is a good place for an aperitif.

If dance clubs are your idea of nightlife, Nice has plenty to choose from. Les Trois Diables offers dancing both indoors and outdoors on its terraces, while the Blue Boy Enterprise has been around for years and attracts a varied crowd. Le Grand Escurial claims to have the largest dance floor on the Riviera and covers three floors, while La Polousa also claims to be the area’s largest.

Although Nice nightlife is exciting year round, one of the best times is to visit is during July, when the city hosts a jazz festival, regarded as one of Europe’s best. The event has been held since 1948 and past acts have included Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton and Ella Fitzgerald.

If money is no object, the city’s famous Promenade des Anglais is home to some of the Riviera’s most luxurious hotels, many dating from the city’s glory days in the late 19th century. More reasonably priced rooms can be found in the old town, a picturesque neighborhood of winding streets, and small cafes and bars, but still within easy reach of the beaches.

Although Nice is expensive, there are strategies to save on the cost of your room, especially if you are prepared to stay out of the city a little way. The Riviera has a well defined tourist season, and visiting off season can potentially save you money on your room. Contacting the hotel directly, rather than booking online can often get you a lower rate, and you should also take advantage of any discounts, including student, military or senior citizen.

Famous Nice City Hotels

The city’s most well known hotel is probably the Negreso, which occupies a prime position on the promenade overlooking its own private beach. The amenities and service are just what you would expect, and rooms here start at around 250 Euro. The Negresco welcomes pets, as do many other hotels in Nice, and visiting pets are treated as well as their owners. Other expensive hotels with Victorian character and charm include the Westminster, the Palais de la Méditerranée and the Splendid, all offering an equally convenient seafront location.

Cheap Nice City Hotels

However, you can get an adequate hotel room in Nice for around €80, although your room may be small, and the building may have no elevator. Some smaller European hotels also feature a shared bathroom, although even the smallest Nice hotel usually provides a basic breakfast. Staying in the old town allows you to feel more like a local and to immerse yourself in the daily life of the city and some of the best cheaper Nice hotels include the Albert 1′er hotel, the Saint Georges and the Windsor, designed by devotees of Gustav Eiffel. The Windsor is not only one of the best cheap Nice city accommodation options, it is also one of the most unique, with rooms decorated by local artists and a garden full of exotic plants.