For Unwinding:
Explore the cobbled meandering alleys, which open onto the colourful port, noted for its variety of water side restaurants, artists and promenading friends. Enjoy a beach barbecue watching the sun descend in an amber glow over Fort du Mont Alban. Or how about fresh fish, daily, on the harbour just five minutes away. The Citadel, built by the Dukes of Savoy houses a number of museums and art galleries together with an open air theatre/cinema. Jardin I’Octroi is the location for antique markets (Sunday AM) and the regular weekly food market, (Saturday AM). Just 10 mins. by bus and you can spend an afternoon enjoying the street atmosphere of Nice with its boutiques, museums, and Promenade. Take a 'day trip' or a 'night at the opera' in the principality of Monaco 20 mins. to the east. The apartment allows you to enjoy the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer, a perfect combination of modern luxury and relaxation in the heart of a centuries old village on the Cote d’Azur.
For the Energetic:
There are a multitude of sea sports in the area including a diving school and sailing school in Villefranche. There is fishing from the rocks or deep sea fishing, canoeing, water skiing, snorkelling, and sailing The Snorkelling is particularly good along the rocks around Cap Ferrat. For hill walkers there are numerous marked routes along the coast line, and in the hills around Eze, La Turbie and Menton all accessible for a days walking from the bus route to Menton or la Turbie. For the more energetic there are higher walks in the Roya valley which is an hour’s train journey to Tende from Nice. Another area is the Vesubie Valley in Haut Provence which is a one hour car trip from Nice, not forgetting the 'hanging Village' of Aspermont. North western Italy and Alpine ski resorts are also no more than 1.5 hours away. Details of these activities including bus and train time tables and walking maps are included in the 'welcome pack'.
For Garden Lovers:
The unique micro climate has facilitated the development of world renowned gardens to the east of Nice - east of Beaulieu is known as ‘Petit Afique‘. Gardens such as Villa & Jardin Ephrussi de Rothschild on Cap Ferrat, a formal garden and villa in a fantastic setting, is well worth a visit and has a very pleasant coffee shop, bus 81 to Cap Ferrat. Then there is Villa & Jardin Kerylos in Beaulieu sur Mer, which is an accurate reproduction of a classic 5th centaury BC Greek villa, also in a fantastic setting, bus 100 to Menton. Both are within walking distance. There are additional renowned gardens in the area of Menton.
Golf:
There is a pleasant golf course at La Turbie which is inland from Monaco. There are more courses to the west of Nice about an hours drive from Villefranche.
Other Activities:
Hill walking, Coastal walks, Painting, Garden tours, Golf, Open air cinema, Concerts in Monaco or Nice.
