France - Trip To southern France

hi guys!

I am planing a trip to southern france in feb, around 13-20th?

Thinking of stayin in ai en provnence ( novotel ) and still looking for a place around nice? any suggestions, prefer more villa or chateaux style, looking at one Villa Les Cygnes

any idea how i should go about visiting the french rivera in Feb?

will be renting a car from sixt in provnece and returning it in nice? oh yes, do i need winter tires?
need to end in nice as i will be catching a train to genoa for the cruise on the 21th. hence 20th leave for genoa, stay in genoa for one night.

its my first time there in southern france, appreciate any comments and tips.

what to no miss out?

how do i explore places? (eg, for nice, i heard i should park my car outside and walk into town?)

Nice is a big town. What we tend to do is park the car in one of the parking lots near the vieux ville (old town) and from there you can walk to the old town markets, take a ride up to the fortress ruins (Mt. Boron?), walk to the center of town and visit the various museums and galleries there - if you spot a place called (someone's) Irish Pub, you're in the right area. :)

As long as you've got the car, cruise along the Basse Corniche (coast road, D6098) and visit places like Cap Ferat, Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, etc. These are prototypical Riviera towns and each has its own charm and distinctions. In February, they should not be crowded at all. And, of course, you'll only be a few miles from Monaco which is certainly worth a few hours of exploring.

Do a little research on the area, 'cuz we don't really know what piques your interest. There's plenty for everyone in that part of the world!

Winter tires - snow in that part of France is pretty rare. I would imagine Sixt will have appropriate tires mounted, but the Alps come right down to the sea in places, so there will certainly be snow up there. Use common sense.

Oh thanks! okie okie. so say how many days do i need to explore in ice?

i keep reading say dk eyewitness travel, frommers. but there so so so many pleaces to visit! i have no idea which are the must sees? and which places are just repetitiveness?

anyone rented a car at provnece before?

any hotels to reccomand?

No winter tires needed in this area, winters are very mild, compared to those in the US. (Blame the Gulfstream)

A car in Nice is a hindrance, there is a terrific new tram network that gets you anywhere in Nice. It is needed to explore the surrounding areas though.

Two great festivals in February: The Carnaval in Nice, one of the largest in the world, goes on for almost 2 weeks:

http://www.nicecarnaval.com/en/index.php

And the fabulous Fete du Citron in Menton, one of the warmest places on the Riviera in Winter, its microclimate keeps it several degrees warmer than the environs. The festival has unique sculptures made of citrus fruits, stunningly gorgeous. One of the great festivals of the world.

http://www.fete-du-citron.com/Lemon-Festival-Menton-French,34.html