Hopping across the Channel by train is typically faster than taking a Ferry to France, leaving you with more time to spend in Nice. With so much to do in the fifth most populous city in France, here are the top three things you simply must involve yourself in.

Promenade des Anglais

If relaxing on a sunny beach is one of your favourite holiday past-times then head to the Promenade des Anglais where you can stroll by the sea. Although it is more of a pebble beach than a traditional sandy one, the advantages of a level surface means you can enjoy other means of transport around the area.

Jog, cycle, skate and even rollerblade your way along the walkway and enjoy the warm climate that comes with the beach. If you’re looking to just get some peace, you can choose to sit on the available chairs and benches and just enjoy the sights. Furthermore, there are many open cafes and restaurants within walking distance for you to dine at, making it a complete experience.

Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France by SteveR-

Musee National Marc Chagall

Museums can be a wonderfully historic experience especially when you’re learning about a new environment. Nice has an extensive religious past and prides itself on having museums to publicise the old sculptures and paintings. The National Marc Chagall museum was created by artists who wanted to bring the ancient biblical works into one multi-purpose building.

There are many works present here, including mosaics and tapestries, sketches, stained-glass windows, biblical message paintings and lithographs. Discover the full collection of famous artist Marc Chagall and watch a story about his upbringing and what inspired his work. With the admission only 7.5 Euros, it is definitely an experience worth going to.

Musee National Marc Chagall, Nice, France by Janet McKnight

Castle Hill

Visit Castle Hill for a breath-taking, panoramic view of Nice. You can see the entire city from a high view, making it the perfect spot for photos and postcards. There is a park located at the top of Castle Hill too which can help the kids relax after the journey up. If you fancy yourself to be a fitness fanatic, you can choose to climb to the top, although an elevator is available.

The beautiful view from atop the hill overlooks the sea, city and port. It is a good place to have a picnic too or just spend a day taking in the sights. There is even a waterfall nearby giving the whole place a nice romantic spark. At the end of the day, you can still enjoy French cuisine at some of the restaurants located nearby.

Nice and a port, France by Simon

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sebastian Fuss

Once planning your trip to Harz National Park, beware of the cooler and rainy mountains – although this is not a high mountain range, but due to its geographical location is under constant onslaught of moist ocean air from the North Sea. Local climate is therefore similar to high mountains, reaching the altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level. Be also prepared for a huge number of tourists, Harz National Park is one of the most visited places in Germany.

Among the most beautiful places to visit are Rübeland cave, the highest peak of national park – Brocken (1,141 m) which is also the highest peak of Northern Germany, Hohneklippen crags, Eckerstausee lake, Falkenstein Castle, Harzgerode Castle, hill top resort of Sankt Andreasberg, or saltwater spa and climatic health resort of Bad Harzburg.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mike Jentsch

The management of national park: Nationalparkverwaltung Harz, Lindenallee 35, D 38855 Wernigerode, Deutschland
Official Website: nationalpark-harz.de

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Adam Jones

Buda Castle is situated on 60 m high ridge known as Castle Hill, overlooking the city already since the 13th century. The first written mention dates from 1255, when Béla IV. built a fortified castle here. Around 1356 Ludwig I. then began to build a Royal Castle on the southern slopes of Castle Hill. With the advent of the year 1400, the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg built a Gothic palace here, which was in 1458 rebuilt into a Renaissance style.

The palace was constantly besieged since the beginning by Turks and the Habsburgs, and was almost destroyed and then rebuilt to a smaller one. After the conquest of Buda in 1541 by Turkish troops the palace served as stables and storage of gunpowder. Its expansion was issued later by Maria Theresa, who changed it into a palace with 203 chambers. Habsburgs made a reconstruction of the palace in the 18th century by which they rebuilt it into a huge palace.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Benjamin Vander Steen

Buda Castle includes several major institutions such as the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum and National Széchényi Library.

The Hungarian National Gallery is a home to an extensive collection describing the turbulent past of the country. It was founded in 1957 and now holds exhibits of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the present. Originally, these works were located in the Hungarian National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, but in 1975 were moved to the royal palace. Visitors can now see the six permanent exhibitions of the most valuable works of Hungary.

The Budapest History Museum is in operation since 1873, when began to collect historical artifacts related to the capital city. During the World War II was in the south wing of the royal palace discovered medieval hall in which you can now see an exhibition called The Royal Palace in the medieval Buda. Here you can find the weapons, sealants, tiles and early crafts. An exhibition shows development of the city from Roman times up to the Hungarian settlement in the 13th century. The first floor hosts an exhibition of contemporary Budapest, the city’s history from 1686 to present.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Országos Széchényi Könyvtár

National Széchényi Library holds a stunning collection of books. The library was founded in 1802 by Count Ferenc Széchenyi. It consisted of 15,000 books and 2,000 manuscripts. Now the collection includes five million prints, it’s everything that has ever been issued in Hungary. Among the most valuable gems are Corvinus manuscripts, which are collections of old books and manuscripts which formerly belonged to King Matthias Corvinus. This collection formed one of the largest libraries in Renaissance Europe.

Once you are in Budapest, I’m sure you cannot miss this great Castle!

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