Imagine this: you’re vacationing in Nice, in the south of France. You’ve laid on the beach for a day. You’re over any hint of jet lag. You’ve had a few glasses of wine and a couple of excellent meals already, and the scenery around you is just as amazing as you’d imagined. Now what?

Nice, France [Photo Credit: Creative Commons 2.0, Ioan Sameli]

With a nickname like Nice la Belle, it’s no surprise the surrounding area is stunning, and naturally there are plenty of ways for visiting guests to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and–my favorite–tastes of the region. If you’re taking French lessons and planning a vacation to Nice, or perhaps just dreaming about how wonderful that trip would be, I highly recommend you consider adding these 3 tours to your itinerary:

Taste of Nice Tour – Fortunately, this food-focused adventure is a walking tour, so you’ll at least feel moderately better about the fact that you get to indulge in your every eating and drinking desire throughout the day. Those who love fine wine, artisanal cheese, and market-fresh food will love this insider’s look at Nice’s most traditional and authentic    cuisine. On the tour, you’ll meander through at least one of multiple farmer’s markets in the city, schmoozing with locals as you go and learning about the area’s fascinating culinary history. In addition to all that wine and cheese, other highlights include candied fruits, fresh-baked bread, and socca–that’s deep fried chickpea dough, typical fare in the south of France.

Electronic Bicycle Tour – Whether you consider yourself athletic or not, you’ll enjoy biking around Nice on this interesting tour. Even kids can join along, and those who prefer to take a break from their rigid workout routine while vacationing need not worry as the electronic motors can easily do most of the work. Much of the tour is uphill, so even the most advanced riders appreciate the extra help. Guests do more than scoot around town, they learn about the history of the area and explore routes that are off the traditional tourist map. At the highest point on the tour you’ll be rewarded with a great view overlooking the city and shoreline so you can snap the postcard-perfect photo that you know you’ll be showing off to friends and family just as soon as you get home.

Entrevaux [Photo Credit: Creative Commons 3.0, MOSSOT]

Train des Pignes Day Trip – Once you’ve gotten to know the ins and outs of Nice, expand your horizons to discover the highlights of the surrounding area by hopping on the Train des Pignes and taking a self-guided trip through the countryside. The system transports locals and visitors to more rural destinations, such as Annot, Entrevaux, and Saint Andre de les Alpes, sometimes on a flashy, modern train, and other times on an older, less glamorous model. Chances are you won’t care once you start admiring the scenery out your window. With vibrantly colored rows of lavender in the rolling hillsides around you and a faint smell of thyme in the air, you’ll just be glad you’ve found the hidden Europe you’ve dreamt of visiting.

Nice is a charming city that welcomes visitors with open arms. Once you’ve explored the city and discovered your own highlights, sign up for a few tours to round out your experience and learn more about this incredible place. Bon voyage!