Antibes has charmed everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to the Kennedys, and it's easy to see why. Set on the Mediterranean about halfway between Nice and Cannes, this French Riviera town is glamorous but more relaxed than its flashy neighbors.

Its port is filled with sleek yachts that spend their days out on the water and their evenings tied up in the harbor. Next door in Juan-les-Pins, the nightlife heats up with clubs and a casino. Sunbathers, art lovers and shoppers will all find plenty to enjoy, from the galleries and boutiques of the old town to sandy and pebble beaches along the bright blue sea. And for a true escape, the pine-covered Cap d'Antibes offers secluded villas and legendary hotels like the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, where days are spent swimming and snorkeling and evenings are for fine French dining.

Antibes makes an excellent base for exploring the Cote d'Azur, and Mediterranean cruises often call nearby. I'll help you choose the right hotel and plan day trips to Nice, Cannes, Monaco and the hilltop villages.