The ocean colors along this coast are worth the trip on their own, but Nice has so much more to offer! Besides being a perfect base to explore the Côte d’Azur, there’s a lot in the city deserving your attention. In this guide, I'm sharing all the favorite spots and helpful tips I gathered from the times I visited Nice. If we exclude day trips, these activities can easily fit into a weekend getaway. But you’ll probably want to spend more time in Nice to allow you to explore other towns and beaches nearby. This guide also includes updated information about public transportation. The system changed in July 2023, just a few days before I visited Nice for the second time, and even locals were having a hard time figuring it out.

This lovely city is an excellent day trip from Nice as well as a great place to spend a few days exploring and taking in the atmosphere. At this point, I have done both, and each time I went, I had a great time, so I will always recommend Menton!

This is an ongoing list of my recommended hotels on Madeira Island. They are all in Funchal or nearby because it is the most convenient location for exploring the island if you do not rent a car. Without sacrificing the breath-taking views over the bay, staying in one of these hotels will put you closer to the airport and provide you with better options for public transportation. It will also be much simpler to enjoy Funchal at night!

Badajoz, located right on the border, is an excellent base for visiting Spanish towns in Extremadura such as Mérida, Cáceres, and Trujillo, as well as Portuguese towns such as Elvas and Campo Maior. Furthermore, it is an excellent place to stop on a road trip between countries to avoid driving for too long. This is an ongoing list of my hotel recommendations.

Toulouse, La Ville Rose, a land of poets and troubadours, is a charming and historic destination in southern France. If you’re into History, unique architecture, and discovering hidden gems, this is the guide for you!

With an area of 2.02 km2, Monaco is the world's second-smallest sovereign state (after the Vatican). Its mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have all contributed to Monaco’s reputation as a playground for the wealthy. It is now widely regarded as a luxury destination. But that does not mean it is only accessible to a select few or that you have to break the bank to go. In addition, a rich history is hidden behind the appearance of decadent wealth and extravagance. If you follow these suggestions, you can see and do a lot in Monaco on a budget, even if expensive brand shops, trendy 5-star hotels, and flashy sports cars are not your thing (believe me, they are not mine either).

Albi is known as "La Rouge" ("The Red One") because of its beautiful brick buildings, most notably the outstanding Cathédrale de Sainte-Cécile. Its ancient History, beautiful sights, and easy access to explore combine to make Albi a wonderful place to visit. In this guide, I share more about the history of this town and the main sights to visit. But please don’t limit your time in the city to these stops: I suggest getting lost and discovering all the charming streets filled with old buildings, independent stores, and cafés in this lovely town.

Carcassonne's allure is undeniable. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the best-preserved fortified cities in Europe, the imposing sight of the towers as soon as you approach is enough to make your mind wander far away, either to the distant past or to a fairytale of your choice. At the very least, such feelings are understandable. The medieval streets of Carcassonne have even been the setting for many movies, ever since 1908. The most famous example is probably the 1991 movie “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”, with Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman. This walled city has a lot to offer. Its History can be more interesting than any movie. This guide includes all the practical tips you need for visiting the citadel, considerations about the best time of the year to visit, and lots of historical facts!