Spring Mini Breaks
A short break in Nice, France
Flying into Nice takes you into the heart of the ever exquisite French Riviera, meaning luxurious Monaco and a host of other beautiful coastal resorts are at your disposal just a short drive away. If you are watching your budget, use Nice as your base, as the city offers many comfortable hotels at reasonable prices and boasts an impressive array of beaches, sights, and excellent museums within easy reach.
Begin your sightseeing at the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas, inaugurated and built by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Nice’s Cathedral is a structure of immense and unusual beauty, made all that more intriguing given the Russian religious art and decor found internally and externally from the Belle Epoque, a time when the Russians turned this area into a preserve for the rich.
From the Cathedral, travel the short distance to the ruins of the Colline du Chateau, which overlooks the Baie des Anges and harbour area, offering unrivalled views of the city and all that surrounds.
If you have time on your hands, take a short drive to Cimiez in the upper and older part of Nice where you will find the Cimiez Convent. Art lovers will be taken back by some of the valuable works found within by the famous Brea brothers from the 15th century and also the 17th century frescoes found in the Musee Franciscain.
Whilst in this part of town, drop into the Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall. This Russian born artist was famous for his biblical artwork. On display here are more than 450 of his drawings, oil paintings, sculptures, ceramics and lithographs.
Heading back into the heart of the city, the Musée International d'Art Naïf Anatole-Jakovsky is a favourite amongst art buffs, who come to marvel at the 600 plus drawings and paintings that have come from around the world, once owned by the famous art critic who lends his name to the museum.
Make the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain a must-do part of your stay. The walls of this impressive museum are lined with French and American art from the past 50 years. Expect to see works by artists such as Warhol, Lichtenstein, Robert Rauchsberg and more.
The last of Nice’s excellent museums is the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This gallery boasts a wide array of works by 19th century French masters Including Capeaux, Rude and Rodin. Also expect to see a strong collection of 19th/20th century art by world famous artists such as Monet, Ziem, Raffaelli, Sisley and Boudin.
If this has whet your appetite for a holiday in Nice, read more about its beaches and attractions by following this link.
Car hire in France helps you get the most from your holiday. Carhire3000 offers a wide variety of vehicles at locations throughout southern France, including Nice, Marseille, Montpellier, Cannes and Antibes.
A short break in Palma, Mallorca
The beautiful city of Palma is the capital of Mallorca and offers a pleasant year-round climate, a plethora of things to see, a multitude of beaches and fantastically priced accommodation to suit all budgets. Combine all this with the fact that a large number of low-cost and charter airlines fly in to Palma and you are left with a fine spring break at a cost that will not break the bank.
And, with luxurious five star hotels such as the Serrano Palace offering rooms from just £100 per night, you are able to gauge at just how affordable it is to stay in Palma when booking more modest options from the range of comfortable hotels in the area.
There are a number of sights to see and museums to visit during your stay. Where better to begin than the magnificent Cathedral de Mallorca? The external architecture is a marvel in its own right, whilst the centuries-old religious paintings which fill the on-site museum will also impress.
The Pueblo Espanol is also worth a couple of hours of your time. This intriguing museum celebrates Mallorca’s proud architectural history through a series of model replicas including a full mock-up of a small Mallorcan village from centuries ago.
Another museum of note is the Museo de Arte Espanol Contemporaneo where you will find permanent collections of some of the country’s most celebrated artists including Dali, Miro, Gris and Picasso.
But save the best until last; Bellver Castle is Palma’s centrepiece and sits high above the town, with a commanding view along the coast – a definite highlight of any visit to the city. The castle also possesses a museum containing a variety of items found through archaeological digs dating back several hundred years.
Aside from sightseeing in Palma, no visit can be made complete without venturing around the island to marvel at some of the incredible scenery and beautiful bays found in Mallorca. The north-west coast of the island from Andraxt to Cap Formentor is where you will find the formidable Serra de Tramuntana. The drive through the range offers unrivalled views of the island and takes in versatile territory – from dense pine forests to limestone rock formations. You will also discover pretty towns such as Pollensa and an array of outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking.
Just 20km from Palma is the fantastically picturesque Soller and its resort area Port de Soller. Both sit in the crux of a lush green valley below the Serra de Tramuntana. Enjoy a relaxing stroll across the scenic bay, around the harbour or through the cobbled streets. Also worth a visit are the Botanical Gardens which are particularly beautiful in the Spring when approximately 60% of the Balearic flora begin to flower.
Hiring a car in Mallorca will enable you to explore this beautiful island at your own pace. Carhire3000 offers cheap car hire in Mallorca in a number of locations across the island, including Palma.
If you’d like to explore more, follow this link for more information about sightseeing in Mallorca.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Next |
