Travelling across the ocean for a 2-day meeting may sound crazy but I do it often enough that I believe I can avoid the "jet lag" syndrome. My team members may disagree but I'm sticking with my theory of changing my watch to local time as soon as the airline captain makes his announcements. I just returned from such a meeting at the 4 star Hotel La Perouse, Nice Baie des Anges, a French Riviera luxury boutique hotel. This property is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and World Hotels. The hotel is nestled at the foot of Castle Hill in the heart of Nice, near the Saleya walkway and its flowers market and provides commanding views of the Promenade des Anglais (English Walkway) and the famous Baie des Anges (Bay of angels), by the Mediterranean.

Hotel La Pérouse has 4 apartments and 56 rooms overlooking the sea. The comfortable rooms have air-conditioning and are decorated in an elegant mediterranean style. All bathrooms are made with Botticino marble. Request a room in the 200 series (I had room 205) facing the sea as most have a spectacular private terrace overlooking the courtyard that doubles the size of your room.

Everything at La Perouse is designed to make your stay unforgettable. There is an outdoor restaurant that offers the charms of Provencal cuisine, and a swimming pool on the hillside to refresh your mind after a day of sightseeing, shopping or meetings. For relaxation the top level terrace has a Jacuzzi and fitness room but Castel beach is right in front of the hotel and walking or jogging along the Promenade des Anglais lined with palm trees is spectacular anytime of the day.

Until the early eighteenth century, the vast majority of the population was concentrated in what is now called Old Nice. At the time, the city of Nice was not a French city and the conflicts that opposed to Louis XIV led to the destruction of ramparts and the citadel of Nice. Today, almost everything is within walking distance of the hotel, especially touring around Old Nice. I recommend a visit to Caves Bianchi located at 7, Rue Raoul Bosio for one of the finest selections of wine and wine tasting anywhere in the world.

Contact your Vision 2000 Travel Advisor to plan your next touring vacation to Nice and the Cote d'Azur!