With the school year winding down, the weather improving, and finals just around the corner, most students are ready to say ‘sayonara’ to school and hello to a summer full of traveling and relaxing.
In my last travel blog, I wrote about my trip to London, England, and although that weekend was absolutely amazing, I am not sure a hectic trip to the city is what I am craving this time of year. Instead, something more calm and romantic would ease the stress of school and allow me to forget any worries back home. That is exactly what I needed when my host family decided a trip to the south of France for a week-long getaway in the city of Nice.
You may have heard of Nice because of the infamous Cannes Film Festival that is held in Nice’s neighboring city of Cannes. This film festival occurs in May and draws numerous A-list celebs who are then housed in some of Nice’s most exclusive hotels.
Nice is appropriately named, Nice la Belle or Nice the Beautiful, because of its romantic views and breathtaking scenery. The city lies along the coast and it is common to see people strolling along the beach at all times of the day.
During the days, we would wander around the city visiting the local squares where fresh flowers and other locally produced goods were sold. I especially enjoyed visiting the “Cours Saleya,” because of its beautifully colored buildings and the sense of communal closeness between the venders and customers.
Regardless of where you are, you cannot beat European fashion and the shopping in Nice did not disappoint. I can still remember walking into the “Galeries Lafayette,” an exclusive department store in France, and literally gawking at the beautiful clothing that was displayed. Although most of the merchandise was too expensive, I did manage to find a few affordable items that I still hold dear. In the end, just being in the presence of such beautifully designed pieces was an unforgettable experience.
Although Nice was where our family spent a lot of the days shopping and eating out, our apartment was located in a neighboring town called Antibes. To me, Antibes is the definition of romance. With its tiny buildings accented in beautiful orange and red hues, this quaint, coastal town still holds a special place in my heart.
Being able to walk two blocks each morning to the local boulangerie and buy fresh bread was such a joy, as the friendly locals did not mind me practicing my French with them. After visiting the bakery, I would spend each morning walking or jogging along the ocean and in the evenings my host-brother and I would traverse the town in order to experience the nightlife at the local pubs and bars.
Each of these cities gives you a special feeling that is difficult to describe in words. It constantly felt as if I were living a dream as I walked along the brick streets and partook in this new culture that I had only ever seen in movies. Although many people overlook the smaller cities in France because there is so much hype about Paris and Toulous, I would recommend for anyone to include Nice and Antibes on their itineraries.