Winters on the French Riviera are never that harsh, in fact compared to much of Europe; winter on the Cote d’Azur is mild, blessed with cloudless blue skies and star-studded nights.

Given its privileged winter climate, a trip to the French Riviera early next year would be a wise move, particularly if you combine it with visiting the ‘hottest event on the French Riviera’ – the Nice Carnival 2012.

Not only is this the one of the most highly attended and anticipated festivals on the French Riviera’s bursting events calendar, but it is also one of the largest carnivals in the world. Taking place in February each year, this two-week festival proves to be possibly the region’s most popular winter event year after year.

Flower parades dominate the scene in Nice throughout the fortnight, with colourful arrays of almost every flower you could care to image, contrasting vibrantly with the stark late-winter sky.

Alongside the many flower parades there are carnival processions, sporting huge papier mache characters with giant heads, concerts, fireworks, prestige soirees, marching bands with their music blasting out from every street, promenade and avenue, accompanied with twirling majorettes.

As musicians, dancers, performers and actors gather here during February from around the world, this cosmopolitan French city becomes even more multicultural and pleasurably diverse whilst its biggest social calendar is taking place.

To conclude this spectacular event, on the last night the carnival king is carried down to the beach on his throne and ceremonially set alight, whilst a backdrop of fireworks flurry into the night sky, mesmerising the thousands of spectators.

So if you want to shake off the winter blue, Nice, in February, is certainly the place to do it!

Visit nicetourisme.com for further details.

Nice’s annual Christmas swim (Bain de Noel), takes place on Ruhl Beach on December 19.

Both locals and visitors alike brave the chilly water, which have usually dropped to an icy 12 degrees Celsius, to participate in this popular event.

Whilst some of the more sensible winter bathers come kitted out in a wet suit, for the majority, their Christmas plunge into the Med is executed in trunks or a swimming costume and nothing more!

If you feel like joining in with the local traditional Christmas customs, or would prefer just to watch those revelling in the attention this endurance event gives them, then head on down to the Promenade des Anglais and Ruhl Beach for 11.30.

Ruhl Beach is one of the 15 private beaches in Nice. Laid out in 1920, this immaculate beach lies between the stunning views of the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais.

One of the most celebrated promenades on the Cote d’Azur, the Promenade des Anglais was built in the latter half of the eighteenth century when the rich Englishmen who had taken to spending the winter in Nice decided to give the influx of beggars to the region a ‘useful project’ and construct a walkway along the sea.

The promenade proved popular in Nice and authorities gradually built it up and improved it. Today, the Promenade des Anglais is a popular place to walk and take in the sensational views of Nice, to contemplate the azure water of la Baie des Anges and the landscapes surrounding this magnificent city.

‘La Prom’, as it is often referred to, is also particularly popular with cyclists and skateboarders, and, of course, those watching the daredevils jump into the ocean on December 19!

If you are not a smoker and are enjoying a restful day on the beach, doing nothing in particular except sunbathing and swimming, a waft of cigarette smoking weaving through the air and into your nostrils, is off-putting and slightly irritating to say the least.

This sentiment is widely advocated by the French public, who, if they had their way, would see smoking being banned from beaches.

According to a recent survey conducted by the French polling agency ifop, three out of four French citizens would be in favour of a ban of smoking on beaches in France. 42% of the survey respondents said they were strongly in favour of the ban, whilst only 9% of participants strongly opposed it.

The town of La Ciotat in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of the Cote d’Azur province is the first town to implement the first non smoking beach in Europe.

This small and picturesque village attracts a steady stream of visitors throughout the summer months, although since the ban came into effect earlier this summer, the beach at la Ciotat, known as “Plage Lumiere”, has attracted a larger crowd than usual.

The new legislation came as a result of the local council receiving requests for more ‘child-friendly’ beaches.  Talking about the smoke-free beach, Noel Collura, La Ciotat’s deputy mayor for the environment, said:

“We don’t stop smokers from going elsewhere, but this one we want to reserve for nonsmokers, for mothers and children so they can make sand castles and not cigarette butt sand castles.”

Anyone found to be ignoring the ‘no smoking’ signs on the beach are liable to receive a 35 euro fine.

Plage Lumiere on the Cote d’Azur is the first beach in Europe to implement a smoking ban, with the only other place in the world to have similar legislation being in New York, which, earlier this year, banned smoking from all public areas.

Judging by the popularity of the first non smoking beach in Europe and the fact that three-quarters of French people are in favour of banning smoking on beaches, long gone are the days when France had a notoriously “laissez-faire” attitude to smoking.

For the majority who stay in Saint Tropez, a visit to the vast, visually stunning and crowded beaches, with equally as stunning and glamorous bodies, of Pampelonne is too tempting to avoid.

There are however several beaches in the St Tropez vicinity that are less well known, more secluded and unaffected by mass tourism. Take a look at France’s most glamorous region’s more ‘wilder’ side and 3 of the best beaches of St Tropez.

Plage des Salins

To the south of the Plage des Canebiers, a beach famous for being overlooked by the villa owned by Bridget Bardot, is the Plage des Salins. This picturesque and refreshingly tranquil beach that is bounded by a forest of pine and bamboo trees is a fantastic spot to lay your towel on the fine, pale pink sand and enjoy its surprisingly peaceful setting.

Be sure to keep a look out for a sculpture of Bridget Bardot as the Little Mermaid here, as it was after all the legendary French actress who, almost single-handedly, glamorised St. Tropez.

La Ponche

Hiding at the head of the old fishing quarter of La Ponche, between the fascinating Portalet Tower and the Tour Vielle, lie the small, gravel beaches of La Ponche.

These delightful and interesting beaches are almost literally a ‘stone’s throw’ from the quirky boutiques and bars of La Ponche, providing visitors with the perfect break from a busy day’s sunbathing.

Plages des Graniers

Not far from the beaches of La Ponche, after about a 20-minute walk, Plages des Graniers can be stumbled upon. And if you do stumble upon the Plages des Graniers you will not be disappointed.

This 40 metre long, pebbly beach is surrounded by natural rock and, in holding on to an authentic character, has remained pleasantly unspoiled by the effects of mass tourism.

With its mighty rivers making their way to the Mediterranean Ocean that laps its beautiful and varied shoreline, its metropolitan cities, rich in culture and history, and some of the best cuisine in the world, the Cote d’Azur certainly is a remarkable and utopic region.

There is however one less favourable feature of the French Riviera, which visitors to the area should be aware of – jellyfish. Here, we outline the best tips on how to deal with Jellyfish on the Cote d’Azur.

In response to the high number of jellyfish living in the waters on the Cote d’Azur, local councils have set up jelly-fish free zones to help protect bathers from being stung.

If you are wanting to spend a day on the beach on the French Riviera but are put off by the jellyfish then check the colour of the flag on the beach – A orange flag usually denotes jellyfish have been detected there, whilst a green flag usually means it is a jellyfish-free zone.

It is also important to remember that jellyfish look lifeless and dead when they have been washed up on the shore, although they can still sting out of water so avoid going near them and tell children to stay away from any lifeless jellyfish on the beach.

Certain jellyfish are more dangerous than others. The most common breed of jellyfish in the Mediterranean is the ‘mauve stinger’, which are usually mauve in colour but can also be pink, tan or yellow.

If you are stung by a jellyfish avoid washing the sting with fresh water and only use salt water, as this will help clean the affected area and alleviate the pain.

Freezing spray is also an effective relief from jellyfish stings and is something you can buy from a local pharmacy.

Here’s some great Cote d’Azur money saving tips.

Pass Isabelle (ter-sncf.com)

Travelling around the Cote d’Azur can be pricey. If you are wanting to explore the area and the beautiful mountains of this region – and it is advisable that you do -  a good way of doing so is by Pass Isabelle, whereby a day’s unlimited riding on local rails costs just 12 euros. The Cote d’Azur’s bus network is also surprisingly inexpensive, with 1 euro allowing you to travel anywhere within the Alps Meritimes region for 74 minutes – be sure to take advantage.

Eat at lunchtime rather than dinnertime

For the duration of your holiday, it is advisable that you adopt the Mediterranean-style of dining and eat your main meal at lunchtime rather than dinnertime, for the purposes of saving money that is. Many of the restaurants have ‘plat du jour’ menus available at lunchtime and not at dinnertime. Often these menus can be as little as 10 euros, whereas the same meal in the evening could cost up to three times as much.

Stock up at supermarkets

Whilst wandering around the quirky markets and village shops on the Cote d’Azur is a delightful experience, markets and independent shops can be expensive. If you are on a self-catering holiday and want to keep the costs down, stock up on groceries and essentials at the large supermarkets, such as Aldi, Lidl, Dia and Netto – it will save you a fortune.

Obtain a French Riviera Pass

Obtaining a French Riviera Pass from frenchrivierapass.com will enable you to have free or reduced-price entry into many of the monuments and museums in the area. Although several of the museums and attractions have free entrance anyway, so planning your sightseeing itinerary around the ‘freebies’ may be worthwhile.

Like everything on the Cote d’Azur, the transport network on this stretch of idyllic French coastline is amongst the best in France and even Europe. Although in a commitment to maintain its position as having an enviable transport network, the Cote d’Azur has a master transport plan in operation for the next 20 years.

As part of a tram network planned by the Nice Cote d’Azur master transport scheme that is planned to be finished by 2030, an extension of Line 1 of the tram network from Pont Michael to Trinite via the Ariane district is scheduled to be operational in the spring of 2013.

This 4.3 kilometre extension is to include nine stations and is estimated that it will increase the number of travellers using the network by 5,000 a day so the overall number of people using line 1 daily will be 105,000.

The new extension will provide greater service for the Pasteur district of the French Riviera, which has been described as being a “sensitive urban area” that will also make the new facilities at the Pasteur Teaching Hospital more accessible.

Although the extension of line 1 will not come without a hefty price tag and the total cost of the project is 23.9 million euros.

For the first time ever, the Nice Cote d’Azur has received a significant European loan of more than 3 million euros to help fund the extension of the tram network within the area.

The multi-million euro project will be subsidised by the Government, the Alpes Maritimes Departemental Council, the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

With the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Ocean lapping against the shores of the endless pristine sandy beaches, the beautiful towns of Monaco, St. Tropez and Cannes and the picturesque countryside in between, the Coted d’Azur offers much more than the glamour and glitz the region  has become world renowned for.

From Roman ruins, magnificent castles, vineyards bursting with life, fragrance and flavour, to picturesque and tranquil villages perched on a hillside overlooking a verdurous and varied landscape, a trip to the French Riviera is bound to lift your body, mind and soul.

Here are three of the best things to do on the Cote d’Azur to revitalise the body, mind a spirit.

Lift the mind at Marc Changall Museum in Nice

Founded in 1992, the Marc Chagall Museum typically displays art related to biblical scenes. This fascinating and inspiring museum constantly organises exhibitions of the graphic works of Chagall, and is a truly fascinating place in the heart of the beautiful city of Nice to inspire the mind.

www.musee-chagall.fr

Lift the soul at the Plage Port Grimaud

Often referred to as the ‘Venice of Provence’, the Plage Port Grimaud is a long stretch of golden sands that boast a tranquil, relaxed atmosphere which retains the elegance that epitomises the French Riviera.

If you want to revitalise your soul then a trip to Plage Port Grimaud, at the picturesque Port Grimaud, one of the finest beaches in France, is the place to do it.

Lift the body at the Spa Centre of Port Frejus

Being one of the world’s most vibrant glamour capitals, you would expect the Cote d’Azur to offer a comprehensive choice of luxury spas providing customers with some well-deserved pampering. The Spa Centre of Port Frejus is possibly one of the purest spas in the whole of France as the water used in the spa is collected from the sea, 700 metres away from the shore and 18 metre deep under the surface.

If you are after a special treat on your holiday in the Cote d’Azur that make sure it involves a trip to the Spa Centre of Port-Frejus to uplift your body in the most perfect of settings possible.

If your holiday on the French Riviera this summer includes children, you may be feeling slightly dubious about where to take them.

Well fear no more as Vintage Travel has investigated three great days out with the kids on this glamorous stretch of coastline in southern France. Here are three of the best Cote d’Azur activities for kids….

Azure Adventure Labyrinthe

This pirate themed adventure play land is guaranteed to get children’s pulses racing and leave them eternally grateful. Situated in the hillside village of Villeneuve-Loubet just four miles from Nice Airport, this adventure theme park provides a multitude of rides, games and activities designed for exploring themes and history of pirates and corsairs for children of all ages.

Parc Zoologique de Frejus

Situated at Frefus Ville near the town of St Rafael halfway between St. Tropez and Cannes, is the Zoological Park of Frejus, which can visited either by foot or in the car. Built in 1971, the Parc Zoologique de Frejus stretches over a vast 20 hectares, and consists of over 110 different species of animals, reptiles and bird, and is a fantastically entertaining and educational day out for all the family.

More information about the Parc Zoologique de Frejus can be found at zoo-frejus.com.

Les Restanques du Golfe de Saint-Tropez

Les Restanques du Golfe de Saint-Tropez is located just nine kilometres from St Tropez and is a fantastic family-orientated hillside holiday village. The resort includes mini, junior and teens clubs, as well as nightly family entertainment and performances at the venue’s 700-seat open-air theatre.

The resort also includes a small water park with swimming pools and wave machines, with pop music pumping out through the large speakers. Eating at Les Restanques du Golfe could not be more ‘child-friendly’, with three different restaurants all including a comprehensive children’s menu at reasonable prices – for St Tropez at least!

Day tickets are available for Les Restanques du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, which can be reached by bus for just eight euros per person.

For the more ‘budget conscious’ travellers, we have uncovered three activities in Monaco for under 30 euros.

Le Loga Restaurant’s ‘from 14 euro meals’

Located on the stunning Boulevard des Moulins, in the heart of Monaco, the fashionable and classy Le Loga Restaurant is offering menus starting at 14 euros.

Although it offers ‘value for money’ – a concept normally alien in Monaco – Le Loga does not compromise style and taste. This popular restaurant is somewhere between being a contemporary brasserie and a traditional restaurant, which boasts a classic dining room and a stylish open air terrace.

For more information on Le Loga, visit the website.

Monaco Dance Forum 2011

From July 8 – July 10 2011, the globally recognised contemporary choreographer, Carolyn Carlson, and iconic figure in the world of equestrian art, Bartabas, will be collaborating to bring visitors of Monaco the ‘We Were Horses Show’.

Held in the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on the Avenue des Ligures, ‘We Were Horses’ promises to be a stunning visual performance of dance and equestrian art, what’s more, tickets cost from just 24 euros.

To snatch up a ticket for what promises to be a remarkable show for a remarkably reasonable price, click here.

Café Llorca’s ‘20 euro lunches’

Another exquisite eatery selling incredibly inexpensive lunches, is Café Llorca, located on Avenue Princesse Grace, in the heart of the stylish French Riviera town.

Every day Café Llorca is offering two lunch deals for just 20 euros. The meal includes the main dish of the day and a glass of wine or ½ a litre of mineral water.

The restaurant also offers a daily 22 euro meal that includes the a starter of the day, a main course of the day and a glass of wine or ½ a litre of mineral water – Not bad for one of the most expensive cities in the world!