Heading South

A few days ago, we left Lyon and took the TGV to Nice on the Cote d'Azur.  The train journey was quite scenic as we passed through northern Provence and then along the Mediterranean.  The stops were Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulon, Les Arcs-Draguignan, Saint Raphael Valescure, Cannes, and Antibes.  When we arrived, the temperature was about 20' so it should be lovely to extend our summer a bit longer. It was way too difficult to get any good photos from the train but here are a couple I managed to take.

We have rented an apartment in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais.  The views from the living room are spectacular.  We will be spending five nights here.  

On our first morning, after breakfast on the promenade, we walked all the way along it to Vieux Nice (the old town).  We have all been there before - once together when we did a food walking tour and me on my own several times.  The first few times I was in Nice it was driving through it and that, believe me, is not for the faint of heart!  However, just strolling the streets of the old town and further back from the sea to the beautiful squares, is charming and lovely.  When we did the tour a few years ago now, we were told about the Italian influence in Nice and you can see it in the buildings, street names, and restaurants.  

Tomorrow, we are doing a boat tour and then spending the afternoon in one of my favourite places, Villefranche sur Mer.  I cannot wait; it's been 3 years since I've been there.