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South of France

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6th – 10th April 2024

Day 1 London To Nice

My flight to Nice was in the afternoon . Nice airport is fairly small and not that far from the towm. I reached my Air BnB apartment late in the evening . We had our dinner and then retired for the day.

Day 2 Antibes

We spent the morning in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is the iconic seafront boulevard that stretches for approximately seven kilometers along the beautiful Mediterranean coastline of Nice. Lined with palm trees and offering breathtaking views of the ocean, it’s a picturesque location . We then climbed the Castle hill . This iconic vantage point offers not only panoramic vistas of the sparkling coastline but also a fascinating journey through history. A visit to Castle Hill Park (Parc de la Colline du Château) rewards travelers with breathtaking views of the Baie des Anges, the cityscape of Nice, and the sprawling Promenade des Anglais. We also walked around the old town which is charming and nice walk.

 

 

Our next stop was Antibes. Nice to Antibes takes barely 30mins by train. A charming town located on the iconic French Riviera, Antibes draws visitors in to see its beautiful beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. The French Riviera is known for its exuberant opulence – think mansions, yachts and sports cars – but I love that Antibes is much more understated, despite still erring on the side of luxury. After reaching there we wandered around the old town which is very charming. We walked around Picaso trail , around water front .There is a bustling local market Marché Provençal in the historic old town. Spent time around Port Vauban and hiked upto Fort Carre. Fort Carre gives an amazing view to the surrounding area

 

 

Day 3 Eze & Monaco

Nestled in French riveria , the beautiful village of Eze . We took a bus from Nice . The bus dropped us off in front of the village . We crossed the street, up past some lovely shops, a delightful refreshment spot, as well as the Tourist Information Centre. Up the steps, It is a bit of a climb.  Terrain includes steps and ancient cobblestones, remarkably well-laid, but do wear comfortable shoes and be careful. Immediately, the architecture is enthralling. Centuries-old stonework is set off beautifully by sublime detailing. Exquisite wrought-iron street lamps hang everywhere, pastel shutters gleam in the morning sunshine, and hints of history abound – in carvings, plaques, and dedications to characters from the past. There are no cars allowed within the precinct, so the silence is tangible. Only the sea at times, a bird, footfalls … the sound of yourself moving through a sacred space.

 

 

What bliss it is to stroll quietly along the slender passages, musing over the lives of the lucky people who dwell in this precious place. There is something extraordinary to see at every turn, some delightful detail to inspire the creative mind, like stepping back into a beautifully cared-for historical timeline. However during the day it becomes quite crowded with all the day tourists.

After spending half day and walking through the beautiful village , we cam down to catch the bus to Monaco. After waiting for while no sight of the bus , so I called a Uber .

Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe. Its an are of 2.08 Sq KM , second smallest sovereign state in the world next to Vatican City . We were dropped off in front of the Casino. Casino itself is glamourous and expensive . We spent sometime in Casino and the walked around the beachfront before heading back to the train station . We took a direct train back to Nice.

 

Day 4 Cannes

This day was reserved for Cannes . Probably most famous for the film festival one the prominant city of French Riveria. We took the train from Nice . From Cannes we took the sightseeing train ride (Petit Train De Cannes) . There are few combinations of the tours , we took big tour which takes you to the historic centre and then up to the castle through narrow roads . The train stops at the castle for 15 mins but we deboarded the train took our time to walk around and then came back to the city center. After having lunch at the city center , we left for Plage de l’Aiguille. Though there are quite a few beaches in the vicinity but  one of the standout beaches in the vicinity of Cannes, thanks to its unique location, southwest of the city. Lying at the foot of a cliff and surrounded by verdant greenery, this beach boasts a cozy, secluded ambiance that is unrivaled in the area. The white sand and clear turquoise water further add to the scenic allure. Nearby, you’ll also find a few smaller, pebbly beaches, along with a great area for snorkeling at Pointe de l’Aiguille. Water was very cold in April , but I took couple of plunges in cold water. Plage de l’Aiguille is cloese to the small village of Théoule-sur-Mer. The village offers a scenic trek from Théoule to Mandelieu-la-Napoule, which is worth exploring if time permits.

After coming back to the center , next was to explore The Promenade de la Croisette is the true heart of Cannes. Under the shade of pine and palm trees, this boardwalk stretches for over three kilometres. A great place to soak up the sun and the sea breeze also to check out the best luxury shops and hotels. Part of the palm beach is public though certain sections are privately owned by luxary hotel chains

 

 

Day 5 Nice to London

This was the last day in Nice. Our flight was in the late afternoon. We decided to visist Parc Phoneix today. The park is nice, there is a lot of greenery, a big lake and a lot of animals (kangaroos, ostrich-like birds, parrots, monkeys, a small crocodile, etc.). There is also a large tropical indoor garden.  We had to check out from our Air B&B early morning but there are local shops who keeps the luggage for a small fee. After visiting the park we spent some more time in the beach and then left for airport,