Nice has been on the backpacker must-see list since the youth of the world discovered its beaches and cheap wine. Combining a wealthy reputation with an affordable underbelly, Nice neatly condenses everything amazing about the Cote d’Azur into one sizzling metropolis. While those of you who’d like to escape the tourists will groan when you see the busloads of cruise-shipping retirees and loudmouthed anglophones in the Vieille Ville, you’ll cheer when you see the rock-bottom happy hour prices at the local bars, and grin when you interact with the well-established youth culture that goes out of its way to make travelers feel welcome (a rarity in France). Daytime activities revolve around the rocky beaches and immense seaside promenade; extensive shopping opportunities and an unparalleled array of museums are available for those of you who can’t just lie around all day. The city just about explodes at night, with live music in almost every bar and club and non-stop parties that make it hard to keep from dropping dead with exhaustion.