Nice & Villefranche-sur-Mer, Côte d'Azur, France & Monaco - 29 & 30 September 2007

I was thrilled to arrive in Nice - not just due to sheer driver’s fatigue, but because the weather in the French Riviera was perfect. After an eight-hour drive from Rome, with a brief afternoon stop in Pisa, I was eager to settle in. The journey had been demanding, filled with winding roads, countless tunnels, and alternating stretches of sun and rain.

Finding Villa St. Exupéry, our base for three nights (€211.50, including booking fees and breakfast), proved tricky. Thankfully, two wonderfully patient locals, along with a bit of luck, helped me locate the hostel perched atop a hill. Its location wasn’t ideal - parking was scarce, and the steep ascents and descents on foot were a challenge - but the view from our third-floor private room with an ensuite made up for it. And with a delicious pizza dinner to cap off the day, things were looking up.

The next morning, I bought a one-day bus pass (€12) for the three of us. Nice was, well, nice. I finally understood why someone once told me the Côte d’Azur was the perfect place to retire. The locals were warm and welcoming, the bays spectacular with pristine beaches, and boats neatly docked in Nice Port. Vieux Nice (Old Town) was charmingly clean and orderly. Life here moved at an easy pace, the weather was just right, and nearby lay the picturesque Villefranche-sur-Mer and the glitzy Monaco. I could easily envision a sweet life in the French Riviera.

Above right: Pizza dinner on our first night in Nice

Above: The next morning

Photos of Nice:

Above left: I paid €1.90 for this egg and meat quiche from the Old Town.

Above: @ Colline du Château (Castle Hill), a historic hilltop park offering panoramic views of the sea and city

Above: View of the Nice Port from Castle Hill

Above right: Mom bought this roast chicken for €3.20 to eat by the sea.

Photos of Villefranche-sur-Mer:

A short, half-hour coastal bus ride from Nice harbor brought us to Villefranche-sur-Mer. I'm captivated by this charming little village - idyllic and serene, an ideal spot to unwind, people-watch, and recharge.

Above: Two pastries cost €3.

Photos of Monaco:

From Villefranche-sur-Mer, we took another bus to Monaco, a 35-minute journey. The one-way fare was a fixed €1.30 per person. Monaco's affluence is unmistakable - a true haven for the materially rich and famous. Yet, despite its wealth, even at the Monte Carlo Casino, one must still pay €0.50 to use the restroom.

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