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Flowers are in full bloom, days are getting longer, and the incessant rain that plagued much of Europe for the past few months has finally ceased, which can only mean one thing: summer is fast approaching, and it’s high time we hit the Mediterranean again.

Needless to say, the bustling ancient metropolis of Rome and France’s sun-drenched south will be teeming with guests this season. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could just hop on an overnight train in Italy and magically wake up in the idyllic French Riviera?

Starting this July, this will no longer be a fanciful dream, as the Espresso Riviera will make a triumphant comeback:

Rome To The French Riviera Overnight

As confirmed by Fs Treni Turistici Italiani, the overnight Riviera Express will be back on the tracks this summer, offering an affordable alternative to flying for tourists going from Rome to the French Riviera, or the other way round.

We’ve already written about night trains extensively, and how oftentimes, they make for budget-friendly, more efficient options to planes.

For starters, you can say goodbye to the stressful airport commutes, and the 2 to 3-hour wait in between security and getting to your gate: you can simply rock up 10-15 minutes before your train leaves, and it certainly helps that train stations are right in the center of town, not miles out like most airports.

Then there’s the fact that it’s a hotel-on-wheels, after all!

Instead of paying for a hotel and flights, you’ll be combining the cost of accommodation and travel into a single booking—and if we may add, ‘couchette’ tickets on the Riviera Express start from only $48, so it truly doesn’t get cheaper than this.

Which Destinations Can You Get To On The Riviera Express?

The train is scheduled to depart from Rome’s Termini station every Friday, and arrive to the South of France by Saturday morning. At this point, actual departure times have not been divulged, but you should expect it to be later in the evening.

Trains leave Marseille, the French terminus, on Saturday evenings and arrive in the Italian capital in the early hours of the following day.

The nighttime section of the journey comprises the 317 miles that separate Rome from Genoa, a coastal city in northwestern Italy. For maximized comfort, sleeping cars with private compartments or the more economical couchettes are available for the overnight section.

In the morning, the train will change layout, with lounges, and First and Second Class seats, and big panoramic windows so passengers can enjoy the views as they whoosh along the coast in the South of France.

Below, you’ll find the full itinerary and average prices for each category, traveling from Rome to Marseille:

Night Segment

• Rome (Termini), Italy
• Genoa (Piazza Principe), Italy

Day Segment

• Savona, Italy
• Alassio, Italy
• Imperia, Italy
• Sanremo, Italy
• Ventimiglia, Italy
• Menton, France
• Monaco–Monte Carlo, Monaco, the Principality of Monaco
• Nice, France
• Cannes, France
• Saint-Raphaël–Valescure, France
• Toulon, France
• Marseille, France

Top 7 Destinations To Visit With The Riviera Express

• Rome: a historically-charged capital packed with world-renowned landmarks, like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican Museums

• Sanremo: the ‘Cannes of Italy’, and an elegant resort city on the coast of Liguria, home to an iconic casino and a modern coastal promenade

• Menton: a colorful, small French town near the Italian border with narrow alleyways lined by skinny, vibrantly-painted buildings, and a picturesque pebbly beach

• Monaco: a city-state on the Mediterranean, home to the glamorous Monte Carlo district and a walled Old Town perched atop a prominent rock

• Nice: an elegant coastal metropolis best known for its Promenade des Anglais, straddling turquoise waters, and Vieux-Nice, a well-preserved, pastel-hue historic center

• Cannes: the French capital of cinema, and a glitzy, glamorous beach town boasting fine, white sands, luxury hotels, and a plethora of award-winning restaurants

• Marseille: a laid-back city on the shores of the Mediterranean characterized by its multicultural character, artsy Le Panier district, and proximity to some of France’s most beautiful calanques

The Riviera Express will be available as a train route from its July 4 launch through August 30.

Tickets can be purchased directly on the official website or via any Trenitalia sales channel starting May 24.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Most travelers jetting off to France have scoped out the Eiffel Tower, world-renowned art museums, and endless sidewalk cafes, but to escape the city grind and sky-high prices, we recently unveiled France’s secret beach on the northern coast as an alternative to not only Paris.

But even as spectacular as this side of France may be, there’s no doubt most travelers have the beautiful Côte d’Azur (French Riviera) atop their travel wishlists.

While I personally loved my trip to Marseille, one of the most sought-after beach cities in France, it’s certainly not for everyone.

The same way travelers can be shocked by how gritty Athens is with graffiti-lined streets just below the iconic Acropolis, the same goes for Marseille, a vibrant seaside city with a delightful waterfront, world-class restaurants, and stunning islands, yet possessing an edgy undercurrent where unsightly spraypaint, dark-lit street corners and alleyways are a turn-off for those thinking they booked a flawless beach getaway.

According to the BBC, those looking for a reliable vacation spot along the French Riviera where you’ll feel safe without the hassle of elbow-to-elbow crowds, should follow in A-listers’ footsteps to a hush-hush peninsula nestled between Nice and Cannes.

Cap d’Antibes: France’s Hobnob Paradise

Other than Cap d’Antibes undergoing an arts renaissance with a fun jazz festival on the docket for summer, among other centennial celebrations, this region of the Côte d’Azur is more well-known as a celebrity haven.

You may know Cannes draws a crowd, especially for Hollywood’s elite, given it hosts the famous Cannes Film Festival each year.

Well, many of these one-percenters find themselves vacationing seaside in Cap d’Antibes at lavish retreats such as BBC-backed Belles Rives, a century-old Art-Deco treasure leading the charge in the region’s artistic festivities this year.

Cap d’Antibes exudes exclusivity, but is perhaps more welcoming to all types of travelers than ever before, as it breathes new life into the arts, enticing more visitors.

While summer is both literally and figuratively a hotspot for celebs, you never know who you’ll cross paths with.

Enjoy Golden Beaches To Yourself: Spring Is The Best Time To Visit

BBC hypes spring as the best time to enjoy a lot more to sprawl out like a starfish on Cap d’Antibes’ golden shores, particular now to early June as temperatures are a blissful 65 – 76 degrees until the official start of summer.

But just know the region surrounding Cap d’Antibes can be a little too breezy any time of year. In other words, it’s a haven for nudists!

Despite the postcard-perfect coastline wrapping the peninsula, you should expect a sight for sore eyes if you don’t do your homework first.

For starters, avoid Batterie Beach and Cape Taillat, unless you want an eyeful of birthday suits — not exactly the beach you wanna be on the “skins” team tossing the ol’ pigskin around.

These are TripAdvisor’s top 5 beaches in the region with no references of exhibitionists:

• Juan les Pins (Main Beach)
• Plage de la Gravette
• Plage des Ondes
• Plage du Ponteil
• Plage de la Baia des Milliardaires

Just note that there is a difference between Antibes, the coastal city (a gem in its own right), and the more isolated and exclusive Cape d’Antibes, tucked away from the more notable cities dotting the French Riviera.

Despite some stunning beaches in the region where beachgoers let loose, they are a small portion of the population, but travelers should be aware of this to avoid unwanted surprises.

The Perfect Base To Explore The French Riviera

BBC named Cape d’Antibes fourth on a list of ‘Nine European vacation destinations to visit in 2025′ and largely because of its exclusivity, going hand-in-hand with prime real estate.

As such, Cape d’Antibes makes for a great base to explore the surrounding area. For example, Metro just highlighted one of Europe’s most beautiful train rides passing through Antibes, Cannes, and Menton, all French Riviera paradises.

Best of all, you can find fares as low as $13 — a steal of a deal in such a lavish destination.

Hotels will surely be your most expensive splurge when staying in Cap d’Antibes, but it’s one of those places where rates match the service and luxury you receive.

For example, if you want to up your chances of bumping into a famous face, check out Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, a 5-star retreat perched along Les Pêcheurs Beach and home to Michelin-starred restaurant Les Pêcheurs.

Otherwise, a select few boutique hotels nestled between staggering seaside chateaus are much more palatable at rates in the $100s, such as Hôtel Miramar Cap d’Antibes.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Paris may well be Europe’s most sought-after destination, home to a plethora of iconic landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and its adjacent Champs-Élysées, Montmartre with the buskers and cobbled lanes… 

Do we really have to go through the list again?

There are many reasons why we love Paris, from the romantic cafe culture to the elegant architecture, but there are also many reasons why it can get on our nerves at times.

Crowds, hectic traffic, beret-clad Instagrammers whose sole purpose in life seems to be to take selfies by hand be Seine, and oh, the staggeringly high prices for accommodation…

But hey, it’s not like Paris alone is fully representative of French culture.

If you’re flying all this way for the beautiful sights, the Old World allure, and delicious cuisine, you should make sure you try Lyon next:

Could Lyon Be The Next Paris?

One of the oldest cities in France, founded as early as the Roman period, and boasting cultural wealth like no other, Lyon is perhaps the best-equipped French city to rival the capital in terms of beautiful sights.

Its Old Town, locally known as Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering an area of 427 hectares, 4 districts, and comprising over 2,000 years of a fascinating history—it’s also one of France’s most landmark-packed downtown areas.

It is split between three main areas: the medieval quarter, or Old Lyon, proper, the Croix-Rousse, and the hilly Fourvière.

Old Lyon is where you will find all of the city’s most notable edifices from the Middle Ages, including the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, a Gothic ensemble best known for its vaulted ceilings and astronomical clock that gives Prague’s a run for its money.

Getting lost in its uphill, narrow cobbled streets, you will find Renaissance-era villas and hidden courtyards, and the higher you go, the more stunning is the view of the terracotta roofs and church spires at your feet

Croix-Rousse is the heart of Bohemian Lyon and an equally beautiful maze-like grid of stone-paved streets, just about wide enough for cars to drive slowly by.

It lines the Saône, a river cutting through the heart of Lyon, much like the Seine in Paris, and the promenade is particularly pleasant to stroll, as you admire the ornate architecture of the riverfront buildings.

Going up Croix-Rousse, you’ll see that its pathways are lined with bars, selling Lyon’s signature Beaujolais wines, traditional French brasseries, and bakeries where you can get fresh-out-the-oven pastries from only 1 euro—for the best croissant in town, check out Boulangerie du Palais.

For the third and final historic district, you’ll want to take the funicular, which rattles up overground rails, offering scenic vistas of the picture-perfect downtown.

Fourvière is home to the famous Notre Dame Basilica, a neo-Gothic gem often compared to Paris’ Sacre-Coeur: they’re both on a hilltop, overlooking their respective urban sprawls, and they were built around the same time.

In this area, you will also find Lyon’s very own Eiffel Tower, La Tour Métallique, a prominent feature of Des Hauteurs Park, except it even predates Eiffel’s masterpiece by three years.

If you’re wondering whether there’s anything left from Roman-era Lyon, you’ll be thrilled to learn that Fourvière has an ancient theater, built in the year 15 BC, and still hosting open-air concerts in summer.

Lyon Is Way Cheaper Than Paris!

Lyon is not only just as pretty as Paris, with several uncannily-similar attractions, it can be considerably cheaper and less crowded.

Paris has become a tourism playground in recent years, particularly after the popularity of TV shows like Emily in Paris, and the start of the beret-clad, ‘hold my giant €32 stunt croissant’ Instagrammer phenomenon.

Don’t get us wrong, it is very touristy—France remains the most visited country in the world, after all—but it’s definitely not on that Paris level of fame, for its own sake.

As we pointed out before, croissants here will cost you between €1 and €1.30, while a three-course meal in a local restaurant (let’s say you get some roasted camembert for starter, aligot for main, creme brulée for dessert, and a bottle of red wine) will cost you €38-40.

If you’re only going for the main dish and a glass of wine, then that’s a much-cheaper €18-21.

When it comes to accommodation, the average overnight rate in Lyon is a reasonable €106, or roughly $115, as per Budget Your Trip estimates.

If you’re wondering how Paris compares, that’s a wallet-wiping $326 on average.

Before we leave you, in case you’re planning a trip to France soon, don’t forget to check out this other charming medieval city only an hour away from Paris—it has a monumental Notre Dame cathedral that rivals Paris’ in beauty, it has a mind-blowing history, and prices are on the cheaper end, too.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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If you thought New Orleans was the only Bayou beaut filled with European flair, you’d be mistaken!

The timeless streets of Louisiana’s oldest city are illuminated by its very own vibrant “French Quarter”, with its color-wheel facades, wrought-iron balconies, and old-timey inns for a glimpse into the past.

With less hustle and bustle and a calmer atmosphere void of thumping nightclubs and impromptu jazz performances, this quaint town of 17,000 has all the charm of New Orleans’ most popular district without the headaches.

Enjoy scrumptious Cajun cuisine, comfortable stays, and picturesque streets all packed into a tight squeeze without the Bourbon Street chaos or safety concerns, as New Orleans is ranked #6 in the latest report of the ‘Most Dangerous Places in the U.S’.

You can swap the city grind for small-town charm in Natchitoches, an affordable escape with a name that’s harder to spell than it is to pronounce (“nack-a-tish”).

The City ‘Where History Lives’

Natchitoches’ slogan is ‘Where History Lives,’ and it fits the bill.

Established in 1714 (beating New Orleans by four years), it is Louisiana’s oldest city.

The original ‘French Quarter’, founded by French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, is right here.

There may be no such thing as a time machine (yet), but visiting Natchcitoches is as close as it gets for Louisiana.

Visitors can peruse the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District for free, so make your camera roll has plenty of space to snap all the French and Spanish Creole architecture.

While it’s easy to compare this historic town to Europe, it’s truly a down-sized New Orleans a dupe in terms of what many tourists come to experience: stunning architecture, savory Creole cuisine, and yes, even Mardi Gras!

Except in Natchitoches, things don’t tend to get too out of hand; they are more of a cultural delight than an all-night rager.

More seasonably relevant, however, is the town’s nearly century-old Christmas Festival taking place now through January 6th.

To deep dive into Natchotoches fascinating timeline, the most informative experience may be the Northwest Louisiana History Museum, touching on Native American history to modern times.

Ultimately, you’ll want to venture away from the French flair to the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, a flawless replica of the 1716 French fort and drawing rave reviews, where one patron said, ‘All I can say is wow! Highly worth the stop. Only $4 per person and worth every penny.’

Step Back in Time: Enjoy A Nice Stay At A Historic Inn

Despite the temptation of posting selfies from a 5-star resort in a “pics or didn’t happen” world, there’s nothing wrong with stepping back in time to enjoy a nice stay in an old-timey inn.

Just because there’s no swim-up bar or plush robes and slippers doesn’t mean you won’t have an unforgettable trip.

In fact, in today’s information age, you can enjoy the irony of something old being something new. Dotted through town are a variety of historic inns and bed and breakfasts, all receiving positive accolades.

These 5 historic inns/bed and breakfasts are postcard-worthy and hold impressive Google ratings of 4.6 and up:

• Sweet Cane Inn
• Judge Porter House Bed & Breakfast
• Andrew Morris House Bed & Breakfast
• Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast
• Church Street Inn

You could also test your fate at the (allegedly) haunted Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, a conveniently located downtown boutique hotel.

But many bed and breakfasts are set in revamped century-old homes, providing a comfy stay and a unique, historical experience with or without spooky ghost stories.

Fun fact: The popular movie Steel Magnolias was filmed in Natchitoches. You can stay at the Steel Magnolia House, where many of the iconic scenes were filmed.

Phenomenal Cajun Cuisine (Including An Overlooked Local Favorite!)

We all know New Orleans is the mecca for Louisiana cuisine, but don’t sleep on the food scene here.

You can delight your tastebuds with many, if not all, the same famous dishes, but there’s one local favorite that doesn’t get enough hype.

Despite being closer to Texas’ mainland than the Gulf coast, seafood here is still phenomenal, but it’s meat pies that locals and visitors rave about.

Known for their flaky crust and savory filling, you can’t have enough of these handheld treats. Check out Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant for this local delicacy consisting of beef and pork.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.