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A plush residential neighbourhood located around a hill in the north-east of Nice. This is where the Brits and Russians came to stay and built villas during the Belle Epoque, hence the exotic architecture, notably the Regina Palace, previously a hotel and the location of Matisse's workshop.
The park at the top of the hill (just after the statue of Queen Victoria) houses a nice olive grove, Roman ruins (with the associated archaeological museum), the Matisse Museum and the monastery with its phenomenal gardens (and nice views).
All in all, a great place to chill out for an afternoon, mingle with the locals on a weekend and wander around.
The park is also where the jazz festival takes place every summer - www.nicejazzfest.com - which is why the alleys are named after the jazz musicians who have performed there (Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie among others).
A pleasant walk of about 20 minutes slightly uphill from the train station, follow Boulevard de Cimiez.
Otherwise Bus No 15 from Place Massena, direction Rimiez. Timetables at www.lignedazur.com.
The park is open until around 8pm in the summer; closes earlier in the winter.
A fantastic seafood restaurant in the old harbour. The Bouillabaisse is sensational.
They do it in the traditional fashion, with the mixed fish and seafood presented on a platter for your inspection before and after cooking, then served in an exquisite saffron-spiced broth with croutons and rouille. Delicious with a cold, dry Hock.
Sit outside, watch the sun set over the cliffs surrounding the harbour, and imagine you're Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
In the old harbour
I stopped at Stockholm on my trip to the North Cape in 2001 (in a motorhome). The island of Djurgården is the best part - away from the city centre which, let's face it, is just like any city centre. Djurgården has great parklands and museums, the best of which is Skansen, the world's first open-air museum. With exhibits from all over the country, it gives a great taste of Swedish life.
Fantastic restaurant in North Bondi overlooking the famous beach. Used to be more of a breakfast haunt but now a classy restaurant with amazing food and location to match. A must for anyone spending a bit of time on Sydney.
North Bondi, Campbell Parade.
Le Train des Pignes is a classic rail journey through increasingly spectacular scenery from the heart of Nice on the narrow gauge line to Digne les Bains (just over three hours) - or stop at one of the remote and beautiful villages en route.
Either side of the train offers great views.
There are also links to the ski resort of Plan-du-Var.
Gare de Nice CP, rue Alfred Binet
(near the SNCF rail station)
www.trainprovence.com
This is a stronghold, latterly used as a villa, built on a hillside overlooking the city and surrounding countryside. The chief reason for coming here is for the views, including the classic one of the Duomo dominated cityscape. On the way up you can see the house where Galileo lived and the Porta San Giorgio, the oldest surviving city gate, built in 1260.
Go up the Costa di San Giorgio (near the south end of the Ponte Vecchio) then turn right through the old city gate
Not only does this museum have a great collection of modern art, but the icing on the cake if the amazing 360° panoramic view that you get from the roof terrace.
It's an amazing place to just sit and watch the sun go down as you can see almost the whole city.
Like most museums in Nice, it's free on the first and third Sunday of every month.
Promenade des Arts, in the old town;
www.mamac-nice.org
1950s revolutionary apartment construction by Le Corbusier, it houses a very well situated and reasonably priced hotel. The view is spectacular.
Cité radieuse Le Corbusier
280, Bd Michelet
13008 Marseille France
If you’re feeling lazy, the best way to see city is the two-hour bus trip, with headphone translation. It will take you on a tour round the harbour and you can catch the breathtaking vistas over the Bay of Angels. Then up the hill to Cimiez, the old Roman part of the city.
First by day, and again at night - cheesy and touristy, yes, but utterly breathtaking.
I highly recommend an easy tram ride to Glover Garden where the view over Nagasaki Bay is superb.
I strolled up there early one fresh January morning and had the place practically to myself - a feat in itself considering Japan's human abundance. One can enjoy a peaceful and uninterrupted view in the pleasant surroundings of this colonial garden. I was not surprised to hear that Nagasaki Bay at night rates in the top three of Japan's most romantic views.
There are also many other places of interest in Nagasaki. No visit there would be complete without a trip to the world-famous Peace Park or U-Bomb Museum close by. It is a sobering yet enlightening experience to see the fresh beauty and growth of a place that was all but obliterated a mere sixty years ago. The message of Nagasaki is hope.
At Nagasaki bus and train station, there is a very helpful tourist information desk that provides detailed maps highlighting places of interest. A discounted day pass for Nagasaki's tram can also be purchased here. There is a tram stop right opposite the station and Glover Garden is a pleasant 15 minute ride away
If you go in October or November, take a boat ride in the early morning from Lido back into Venice and watch the light of the water play with the spires and domes. If it's been foggy - all the better. Venice will appear out of the mirage.
Small Italian hotel, some rooms overlook small canal and campo S. Apostoli, close to Grand Canal and Rialto, reasonable price and very friendly and helpful.
Camp San Apostoli, Cannareggio, Venice.
www.anticodoge.com/en/index.htm
Remarkable panorama, historic town high above valleys, but dwarfed by high Sierra Madre del Sur, almost like a Hollywood set!
Magnificent cathedral, plaza, stunning churches, fabulous hotels, roaming minstrels, bars and restaurants.
Southern Mexico, 6.1/2 hours by luxury coach from Mexico City
Take Tram D to Nusstodorf. Walk up across the hill to Kahlenberg through lanes fringed by vineyards and wine gardens, where people go in the autumn to drink the new wine. Once you enter the Vienna Woods, you will see violets, aconites and celandine among the trees if you go in the spring. It was at Kahlenberg that the Polish king John Sobieski said mass before leading his army down to defeat the Turks in 1683. Sit on the terrace of the hotel for coffee and strudel and look at the fantastic view of Vienna, the River Danube and the Danube Canal.
Tranquil and enormous, Thailand's oldest national park is now a UNESCO protected wildlife site and worth a visit (two hours from Bangkok depending on your transport).
Not as crowded as the Empire State. Travel to the top is more interesting and the balconies at the top are better and the views are just as enthralling.
Plus you get a good sighting of the Empire State.
Rockefeller Centre
This bar is on the 33rd floor of the hotel and overlooks the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Fantastic views. You can watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle while having a glass of your favourite wine.
The hotel is near to the Porte Maillot metro station, you can't miss it
The Schlossberg rises out of the centre of Graz, and as the name suggests, is a hill with the remains of a castle on it. The views across the city are excellent, and sitting outside the cafe drinking beer is an excellent way to relax.
There is both a lift up the inside of the hill and a funicular for those who can't face the walk.
Visiting here now puts one in mind of the heyday of the typical English seaside resort. It’s the tiny patch of beach next to the harbour that all the locals crowd together on (there’s ample beach further afield); it’s the promenade along which everyone walks eyeing each other up and down; above all it’s the ‘comical characters’ painted on boards that have holes for you to stick your head through and have your photo taken. On a fine day, though, it’s all very pleasant, with the sun, the sea air and a harbour sporting some fine looking boats; it has a pervasive air of enjoyment that can’t fail to put you in a good mood.
Just head down towards the harbour
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