Destination Fly4free: Cote d’Azur, France

Cote d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, stretches from St. Tropez to the French-Italian border. The southern coast of France attracts its visitors with the all year sunny weather, fantastic beaches, natural beauty and a pulsating nightlife.

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Perfumeries

Up in the hills to the north of Nice, the town of Grasse is considered the world's capital of perfume. Probably the sweetest smelling city in Europe produces over two-thirds of France's natural aromas. It has had a prospering perfume industry since the end of the 18th century, as its particular microclimate encouraged the flower farming. Three perfumeries, Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard, opened their doors to the public and offer free daily tours that explain the processes of producing a perfume. It is possible to create one's own personal perfume.

At the beginning of August there is an annual Fête du Jasmin or La Jasminade festival in Grasse. Decorated floats drive through the town, with young women throwing flowers into the crowd. The fire department fills a fire truck with jasmine-infused water to spray on the crowds.

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How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Cote d’Azur:

• Late summer! Atlanta, Minneapolis or Detroit to French Riviera from $402 >>
• Late summer! Many US cities to French Riviera from $366 >>
• Cheap! Los Angeles to French Riviera from $341 >>
• SUMMER: London to Nice for just £42 >>
• SUMMER: Barcelona, Naples, Sicily and Marseille in one trip from London for just £130 >>
• 4 in 1: Spain, Morocco, France and Croatia from Copenhagen for only €97 >>
• Volotea promotion code 2017 – up to €35 discount all flights >>

Where to stay:
In Mougins we recommend you to book excellent 3* Le Club Mougins by Diamond Resorts. This top rated hotel is near to the coast and only a 1-hour drive from the ski resorts in the Southern Alps. Le Club Mougins also offers a wide selection of recreation facilities. Located between Cannes and Grasse and at just a 10-minute drive to the beautiful beaches, this small and unpretentious resort is the perfect year-round vacation destination. Guest accommodation is modern and comfortable. All apartments face north-east that allows for bright sun lit rooms throughout the afternoon. All of them are equipped with modern en suite facilities including a complete kitchen pack.

In Nice we encourage you to stay at 3* ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare with !. Located just a 9-minute walk from the beach, this 3-star hotel offers accommodation in central Nice. It has free WiFi access in each air-conditioned room. Rooms at the Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare are decorated in a beach motif with pastel colours, and include a flat-screen TV. All rooms have a private bathroom equipped with a shower. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hair dryer. Opened in 2015, this hotel has a 24-hour front desk and a computer for guests. Your luggage can be stored on site while you explore Nice and secured bicycle storage is available free of charge on site. The Promenade des Anglais and the beach are a 10-minute walk from the property, and Nice Old Town is a 15-minute walk away. Côte d’Azur Airport is 7 km away. Bus 99 runs directly from the airport to Nice-Ville Train Station, which is just 400 m from the hotel.

What to do:
Visit colourful bays: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton. Many houses on Rue du Poilu, Villefranche’s main street, have painted facades. For the best views, head up to the summit of the 16th-century citadel. Menton is awash with more picture postcard colour against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Discover the best marinas and harbours to drop anchor in the French Riviera. Sailing the beautiful Cote d’Azur is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Discover the splendid sights of the French coastline on a private yacht, stopping at Saint Tropez to explore its incredible beaches. Visit Saint Raphael village and explore the beautiful Lerins Islands. Île Saint-Honorat is famous for its prison where the Man in the Iron Mask was held for years. In the Iles d’Or you can choose between sandy beaches and bike rides on the Ile de Porquerolles or the craggy trekking trails of Port-Cros.

In the Alpes d’Azur you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canyoning, rock climbing and mountaineering. 4000 km of clearly marked paths for every level of walker await you in the Alpes-Maritimes. If you have a keen sense of adventure, try a “via ferrata”. From classic canoeing to the excitement of rafting, all white water sports can be enjoyed in the rivers and torrents. 1200 km of waterways and a host of lakes in the Alpes d’Azur are perfect for fishing.

Hike the Cap Ferrat coastal trail that winds its way around the edge of the peninsula and alongside numerous millionaires’ villas. Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild with its magnificent gardens. This property is located between Nice and Monaco, at the top of Cap Ferrat. Le Jardin exotique d’Eze is another garden that offers the chance to discover exotic plants.

Have a walk in the centre of Vieux Nice (Old Town), stroll along Promenade du Paillon, enjoy the cosy restaurants trying the exquisite French cuisine. Toulon is known for its opera house. Don’t miss the medieval villages of Eze and Grasse and the famous principality of Monaco. In the town of Antibes, situated in the eastern part of French Riviera, you can explore the Naval Museum of Napoleon and the Absinthe Museum, located in a basement in the Roman foundations. After partying in the glamour city of Cannes, it is nice to take a relaxing break on the beaches of Saint-Raphael.

Trek along the rustic Mediterranean scenery at Massif de l’Esterel, a protected mountain range spanning the French Riviera. Day trip to Saint Paul de Vence provides a taste of Provence just a stone’s throw away from Nice.

Explore beautiful, serene vineyards that surround Nice and savour local wine

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