Flying over the Alps
The Cote d'Azur comes into sight
First thing to be organized after we had landed, was to organise our rental car. It turned out, that to get a car in France was more complicated than we thought. In the end, we waited longer for our car, that it took to fly to our destination! At last, we got our car, a C3 Picasso, and headed straight to our hotel.
We stayed in the hotel Vendome, a smallish hotel right in the centre of Nice. It used to be an old villa, but was later converted into a hotel. The interior was typical old french: lot's of flower and fluff and crystal chandeliers. However, the staff were friendly, and the hotel was only a few minutes' walk away from the main station, the beach and the old town.
The first outing we made, was to St Paul, a small town up in the mountains. St Paul mainly consists out of art galleries. I doubt if anyone actually lives there.
As I mentioned earlier, we stayed in Nice. Nice is the Cote d'Azur's Capital and the 4th largest city in France (after Paris, Lyon and Marseilles). It is also the city with the 2nd highest concentration of hotels (after Paris, of course). The the beginning of the 20th century, Nice attracted the aristocratic, rich and famous people from all across Europe. Today, Nice still attracts millions of tourists every year.
We stayed in the hotel Vendome, a smallish hotel right in the centre of Nice. It used to be an old villa, but was later converted into a hotel. The interior was typical old french: lot's of flower and fluff and crystal chandeliers. However, the staff were friendly, and the hotel was only a few minutes' walk away from the main station, the beach and the old town.
The first outing we made, was to St Paul, a small town up in the mountains. St Paul mainly consists out of art galleries. I doubt if anyone actually lives there.
We had our lunch here, and watched the locals playing bowls.
As I mentioned earlier, we stayed in Nice. Nice is the Cote d'Azur's Capital and the 4th largest city in France (after Paris, Lyon and Marseilles). It is also the city with the 2nd highest concentration of hotels (after Paris, of course). The the beginning of the 20th century, Nice attracted the aristocratic, rich and famous people from all across Europe. Today, Nice still attracts millions of tourists every year.
Place Massena, Nice's biggest square.
Place Massena at night. The figures on top of the high poles are lit up and change colour every few minutes.
Street artist in the pedestrain zone. He finished very realistic paintings
in less than 15 minutes.
No, those aren't real fruits and vedgetables. It's marzipan candy in the old town.
La Promenade des Anglais and the meditaranean
Nice's harbour
Nice as seen from top of the hill
On Saturday, the 1st of May, we took a road trip towards Cannes. Our first stop was Antibes, a small town between Nice and Cannes. It has a harbour full of yachts and a pretty old town. There are several museums in Antibes, among them the Picasso Museum.
After having lunch in a small cafe in Antibes, we moved on towards Cannes. Cannes is most famous for its annual film festival. Once a year in May, the town transforms in a glamorous playground for film stars around the world.
Unfortunately, our visit to Cannes was almost ruined due to the weather. Just as we arrived, it started raining and we had to sit down in a cafe. While we waited for the rain to stop, we sipped our espressos and watched a motor race on television. Finally, it stopped raining and we could dare to go into the old town of Cannes.
Sunday, 2nd May: Racing day!
Early in the morning, we set off towards Monaco to watch historic grand prix. It was cool and cloudy, and looked like it might rain at any moment. Fortunately, the weather played along, and in the end, it was perfect: not to hot and without rain.
Monaco is a small city state, ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297. Today, Prince Albert II is the official head of state. Monaco has about 33 000 inhabitants, 84% of who are wealthy foreigners.
Early in the morning, we set off towards Monaco to watch historic grand prix. It was cool and cloudy, and looked like it might rain at any moment. Fortunately, the weather played along, and in the end, it was perfect: not to hot and without rain.
Monaco is a small city state, ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297. Today, Prince Albert II is the official head of state. Monaco has about 33 000 inhabitants, 84% of who are wealthy foreigners.
From the main station in Nice.....
....to Menton station in Monaco.
One house on top of another. Monaco is built against the steep
hangs of the mountains.
What would Monaco be without luxury cars?
Best seat.
How to watch racing in style: in your bathrobe on the deck of your yacht.
Deck party.
No, not Darth Vader. Just a fireman!
Walking along the track after the race. Not a single part of the track is straight or flat. Always a hill or a sharp curve along the way.
The famous hairpin curve at the Fairmont Hotel.
Monaco's casino.
