Car Hire: Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +33 08 258 1008. Open from 6.30am-midnight seven days a week.

Airport Transfer: Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport, then city or resort (easyjet.holidaytaxis.com).

Taxi: The 20-minute taxi ride to the centre costs about €30.

Bus: Routes 98 and 99 depart from both terminals every 20 minutes. Bus 98 goes through Nice’s Old Town to the Gare Routière. Bus 99 heads through the centre to the Gare SNCF. Tickets: €4 (valid all day on most Côte d'Azur buses).

Chez Pipo
( 13 Rue Bavastro. Tel. 04 9355 8882 )
Stop by Chez Pipo for a portion of Nice’s tastiest socca, a savoury pancake made from chickpea flour.

Pourquoi-pas?
( 9 Rue François Guisol. Tel. 04 9212 8077 )
This restaurant’s ultra-modern interior, all cool grey tones, belies its totally traditional cuisine. The plat du jour (try lentils and pork saucissons) is always less than €10.

La Zucca Magica
( 4 bis Quai Papacino. Tel. 04 9356 2527 )
Italian veggie ecstasy. La Zucca Magica (The Magic Pumpkin) serves up a five-course set meal (€30) that changes daily, including showstoppers like ricotta and baby spinach in clear truffle broth. There’s no à la carte menu, so be sure to arrive ravenous.

Château Eza
( Rue de la Pise, Eze. Tel. 04 9341 1224 )
Former winter residence for European royalty, these days Château Eza is renowned for its Michelin-starred cuisine. Opt for chef Axel Wagner’s €105 set menu, or check out the fine Med views from the terrace bar.

Nocy-bé
( 4-6 Rue Jules Gilly. Tel. 04 9385 5225 )
Order a fruity kir (white wine with a splash of cordial) and kick back on one of Nocy-bé’s low-slung leather pouffes.

Bar en Biais
( 600 Avenue Première, Antibes. Tel. 04 9374 1098 )
Set inland from Antibes’ main town centre, this jazz bar has open jam sessions on Friday nights. See www.barenbiais-jazzclub.com only) for the live music schedule.

Chokko
( 15 Rue Frères Pradignac, Cannes. Tel. 04 9339 6270 )
Off the oh-so-chic Croisette, Chokko’s lavish décor and international DJs attract a trendy crowd.

Monogrammed pocket watches? A pair of bearskin rugs? For the intrepid buyer, Nice’s Marché aux Puces flea market offers it all. Don’t be afraid to bargain hard (Quai Papacino).

Pick up one of eight free Randoxygène walking guides from Nice’s tourist office. Covering the whole of the Alpes-Maritimes region, Rando Pays Côtier is particularly good, mapping trails along the Mediterranean coastline. Ideal for a sunny winter's day hike.

Set between Nice’s port and leafy Mont Boron, Cap de Nice’s quiet winding roads are lined with Belle Epoque villas. Spot the pink fairytale Château de l'Anglais above, built during the mid-19th century for English officer Robert Smith.

Most of Nice may be quiet in January, but Place Masséna hosts non-stop fun. Slip into your skates and glide across the ice rink, or take a spin on the massive Ferris wheel, recommended at dusk.

Isola 2000 – Take advantage of Nice’s idyllic location, nestled between the sea and the snow, and head to the Alps. Bus 750 departs from the Gare Routière for Isola 2000, particularly well known for snowboarding.

The world’s priciest home was purchased by a mystery buyer in August 2008. Cap Ferrat’s Villa Léopolda sold for a whopping €500 million.

Compiled by Kathryn Tomasetti/www.rutherfordtomasettipartners.com