France: the home of some of the world's greatest art treasures and some of the world's travel icons. For me France came in two parts: Paris and the Coté de Azure, centering around Nice. Paris (city of lights) in winter meant gray skies, ice rinks and tours of the museums. Nice (city of light) in winter meant warmth, the colours of Provence and excursions along the coast (see also the section on Monaco).