Nice, France

Earlier this month we took the short 50 minute plane ride from Basel, Switzerland to Nice, France.  It was in the middle of the “holiday” season here in Europe so I wasn’t completely sure what we were getting ourselves into, especially with this being our first time to the French Riviera.

A couple of things come to mind since we have returned.

Distance:

One of the great aspects of living in Europe, especially Switzerland because of its central location, is the proximity to other countries.  Being an American, our worldview as far as distance is concerned can be at times skewed because in some cases we can drive 8 hours and still be in the same state.  In Europe, you could find yourselves two countries over when driving 8 hours.  In that aspect, it is not only the proximity of our location but the ease of taking a train, bus, and then plane to your final destination that make planning trips very manageable…and very affordable when flying EasyJet.

Architecture:

One of the really surprising aspects about walking around the streets of Nice, especially its Old Town, was the very noticeable Italian influence of its buildings.  On one hand it felt like you were in the middle of an Old Italian village and yet you could turn the corner and be met by a beautiful Baroque French building.  My favorite time to explore new places is in the morning before the hustle and bustle starts not only with our family but the city as well.  It is a great time to explore side streets and buildings you might not be able to see otherwise, and the architecture of Nice did not disappoint.

Tours:

For the last year or so we have used the tour service Viator for many of our trips.  They provide the opportunity to maximize what you see in any given place often times in small manageable groups, while at the same time providing the opportunity to hear about the history that you wouldn’t necessarily get when exploring on your own.  It is great especially for families with kids.

This trip was not any different as we used Viator for a day trip to both Monaco and the small town of Eze.  And then again for a boat tour along the coast of the French Riviera.  Both provided us to see beautiful places while learning a lot about its rich history.

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Crowds:

My original apprehension in taking this trip during this particular time of year was strictly centered on the crowd factor.  I feared that it would be too crowded to fully enjoy such a beautiful place, especially with this being our first time visiting this area.  Well, what had first been an apprehension ironically became the experience that I appreciated the most.

Being apart of the crowds that walked up and down the coastline, the busy streets of Old Town, shopping in many of the shopping districts, right alongside armed soldiers carrying large automatic weapons, brought about a sense of resilience.  It had been just one year since Nice suffered a horrific terrorist attack, so as a result we certainly felt that in the visible security.  And yet, that was the only reminder.  Because for the people of Nice and the other thousands of visitors, including us, it was just another day and opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful city.

Although the French Riviera is synonymous with being a luxurious hotspot for Europe, for me, it represented the most basic testament to the human spirit…resilience in the face of evil, hope in the face of darkness, and goodness in the face of those who wish to destroy the livelihood of those whom they disagree!!!

So I’ll drink to that, and that we did…the wine from this region is excellent.