Nice

We leave Genoa in bright sunshine, making for Nice. It’s a two train journey, but no connection worries as the second train is an unbooked local train


We change at the little town of Ventimiglie, and are planning on having lunch at the station cafe: Dopolavoro Ferroviaro. It’s very cheap and very simple, with a fixed price menu getting you Primo and Secondi Piatti. The pasta courses are excellent, particularly Vera’s salmon dish. Washed down with half a litre of the house wine


It’s a tiny town and we have a stroll around, down to the sea-front and this rather charming fountain


The train journey from Ventimiglie to Nice is charming, hugging the coast on one side and mountains on the other. The border controls going into France are most informal. I show my passport, the official enquiries whether Vera is with me and that’s all that’s required.


It’s a short tram journey from the station in Nice to the old area where our B&B is located. The trams run every four minutes and I have to get a travel card, which I can present twice for two people.


Our second floor B&B is in the heart of the old city, 50m from the cathedral, and central square


and is a very simple but functional apartment.


In the old days, travel to Europe involved taking a bath and basin plug with you. This is the second accommodation with no plug for the kitchen sink. But a wine glass can make an improvised plug

The city of Nice is a relatively modern development, growing as it became a popular destination for wealthy Brits escaping winter at home for warmth and sunshine


It’s also a very expensive place. We visited this rather underwhelming museum, €10 each for not very much


The sea and the beach are very nice


This memorial to the 86 people killed in the terrorist attack in 2016 had both of us rather choked up and moved


Perhaps the best activity was the walk up to the site of the old castle. It also happens to be free. 


There’s an impressive waterfall at the top


Great views over the old area of the city


and over the sea


We have been given a restaurant recommendation by Audrey at the bridge club. It’s not cheap, but not outrageous, and the food and ambience are both excellent

Overall verdict? Nice place, very clean, but expensive (€8 a beer) and not a great deal to see. Unlikely to return

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