Nice

So, after a dreamy four days soaking up the Parisian vibes and another three cruising through the Rhone Valley (seriously, the wine!), I rolled into Nice with slightly lower expectations. Could it really top what I'd already experienced? Turns out, yes!

From the second we hopped off the motorway, it was like someone flipped a switch to "paradise mode." Brilliant sunshine, that iconic azure water, and the Promenade des Anglais stretching out like a postcard come to life. Beautiful people, cute dogs, bikes whizzing by, and the irresistible urge to just dive into that sparkling sea. I was itching to ditch the car, grab a cold one, and soak up some Mediterranean rays.

Fast forward a few hours, mission accomplished! Hotel check-in (props to yours truly for the prime location), happy hour cocktails in a buzzing street, and then straight to the pebbly beach in my swimmers. Couldn't resist a few snaps before taking the plunge. And wow, that solo swim as the orange sun dipped below the horizon, planes twinkling in the distance... seriously magical. No filter needed.

The next morning was all about soaking up the local flavor – literally! Wandering through the farmers market, snagging some traditional Socca (delicious!), and then a little hike for panoramic views of that famous promenade. Then, this crazy thing happened. We were snapping photos, and this local legend took a photo of us taking photos and printed it for us! We loved it so much, we bought another one with the whole crew. Those unexpected moments are the best, right?

Later, getting lost in the maze of the old town was mesmerizing. It's mind-blowing how much history and art is just there, preserved in these beautiful old streets.

Even though Nice was already a highlight reel, as a massive Formula 1 fan, a day trip to Monaco was non-negotiable. Talk about a different world! Every single car was pure luxury. We walked the legendary street circuit, the one you see on TV, and I even had to call my buddies to brag – it was that cool. And naturally, a boat tour was in order to soak in the entire coastline, from the charming old town to the ridiculously opulent casino.

Seeing Nice and Monaco in real life after seeing them so many times in races and movies felt totally surreal. Like stepping into a dream. Definitely pinching myself!

And let's not forget the food! Seriously, one of the best things I ate on the whole trip was in Nice. Just wandering around near our hotel, we stumbled upon La Maison De Celine Pâtisserie. I thought, "Oh, just another pistachio croissant." Boy, was I wrong! This thing was a game-changer. I'm a huge pistachio fan, and this croissant was overflowing with the most incredible pistachio cream. Even now, almost a year later, I'm still dreaming about it!