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It’s Nice To Be In Nice

On the south west coast of France, there is a city that’s name should tell you all you need to know. Nice (pronounced nee-ce) is one of the stars of the French Rivera, a glittering gem of glamour and money, akin to the likes of Cannes (famous for its film festival) and Monaco. Even though the pronunciation of Nice means it is not actually being described as pleasant, it is nevertheless a popular holiday destination for tourists from across the world. It is, it would appear, nice to be in Nice.

Nice itself is a bustling city with a sea front. The architecture is primarily white washed, as the temperatures of the region can easily top 40 degrees Celsius in summer, and stay warm throughout the year. Nice is also famous for its palm trees, many of which dot the pavements and sidewalks, as well as along the main beach and promenade.

The city has become an increasingly popular destination, due in no small part its place on the budget flight map. Return flights to Nice can, if booked in advance and at the right time, cost as little as £40. Considering the city itself is stunning, this is all the more advantageous as Nice can also serve as a gateway to France and Italy due to its geographical location. The main airport in Nice is a tourist attraction in itself, with huge sumptuous views across the blue ocean and wide, open glass buildings that maximize on the view.

Unlike many Western tourists destinations, Nice also has the bonus of being a relatively cheap place to stay. To go with the budget air travelers, many budget hotels have sprung up around the airport, making it a perfect place for a quick, cheap, fling in the sun. Flights from the UK to Nice take around an hour and a half from the London airports, making it convenient, too.

Essentially, Nice has it all. It has all the charm and promise of a French city, but without extravagant prices. Getting there and staying there is cheap, and with around 20 flights to Nice departing from the UK every day, it’s easy to travel there, too. Have yourself a nice holiday, that won’t break the bank, in Nice.

Pompeii: History Cloaked In Ash

The town of Pompeii is one of the most visited areas of Italy; a city not in need of any more tourist traps. But unlike other tourist destinations in the country such as Rome or Florence, there is no buzzing night life or historical thrills to be gained at Pompeii. For Pompeii is a city covered in ash, a moment frozen in time, and many visitors describe it as an extremely moving experience.

Pompeii’s history begins in AD 79. Along with sister town Herculaneum, Pompeii became victim to an eruption by a nearby volcano – Mount Vesuvius. When Vesuvius erupted, the residents of Pompeii – never having seen such a site before, and unfortunately thousands of years away from being able to check what they were seeing on the internet – were unsure what to do. While some residents attempted to escape the town, many did not. When the ferocity of Vesuvius continued uncontrollably, Pompeii – and any residents still inside – was buried in volcanic ash, preserving it for centuries to come. Modern historians estimate that Pompeii was buried in up to 60 foot of ash.

The site, over time, has been excavated, though Pompeii has never returned to full public use. Due to some of the horrors found within – bodies were not present, but the ash-solid casings of them were, often curled on floors in horror – the site has long been declared a sacred place.

Modern Pompeii still has the body casts of the unfortunate residents who did not flee in time, along with numerous other artifacts from the exact day that Vesuvius erupted. The ash coating preserved everything almost perfectly, providing a unique snapshot from a moment in history.

Although a sobering experience, over 2.5 million tourists visited Pompeii in 2008. It is best reached by bus or shuttle from Rome, though can be travelled to across the Bay of Naples. There are numerous and daily sightseeing expeditions to the area, and for any Italian tourist, it is an absolute must. And just in case you were worried; Vesuvius has been silent and dormant since 1822.