Holidays in Cote d’Azur, France

The Côte d'Azur has been drawing visitors for centuries: the allure of it's startlingly blue sky and hopelessly picturesque coastline has been impossible to resist for everyone from artists and writers to your average sun-seeking tourist.

Littered with rocky coves and sweeping bays against a backdrop of rolling hills and steep cliffs cloaked in lush Mediterranean vegetation, that climb up into the Alps beyond, the French Riviera has one of Europe's most spectacular settings. The region is home to some of the world's most celebrated and glamorous resorts: exclusive St Tropez, cosmopolitan Nice, chic Cannes and the Princely enclave of Monaco; as well as numerous more low key, but no less lovely, places to soak up the sun and swim in the appropriately azure waters.

There are numerous opportunities for water sports as well as enjoying the fine wine and dining, and you can take a hike or mountain bike ride through the hinterland - the Côte d'Azur is holiday heaven, and lies within easy reach of the rest of Europe (including the UK) by train.