A scenic 2.5 hours journey from Nice through winding roads uphill, with beautiful alpine forests and rivers flowing, will take you to the ski resort Isola 2000 in the Southern Alps. Although this is essentially a winter ski resort, those visiting Isola in summers should take heart as there are summer activities aplenty including hiking, cycling and horse riding, all through the stunning Alpine panorama.

Isola 2000 will present you with 42 slopes, enough to satiate the appetite of beginners and intermediates skiers. Vast snowfields, crisp cold air, burgeoning snow-capped hills and a quaint pace atypical of a small town or village make Isola very endearing. There are few resto-bars in the town, some of them offering live music also on select days. Do visit La Brasserie de L'Endroit and savour a family recipe made with fresh ingredients or some hot chocolate on a chilly day. You may also dine at Cow Club or Le Refuge a chalet restaurant, offering a package of gourmet meal and chauffeured groomer ride. There are limited options to stay in Isola, with few hotels, chalets and self-catering apartments, and prior reservation is a must. If travelling back to Nice on the same evening, do remember to check the bus timings, for you don’t want to be stranded gazing at stars on a chilly night!