In the blink of an eye, my two years in France have come and gone. Nice and I have had a classic romance: I was infatuated with the light and the color when I arrived and then reality set in and I had to work hard to learn the language and ingratiate myself in order … Continue reading
If you are a woman of any size, age or shape and you’ve walked down a street in any city in the world, you’ve experienced it: the whistles the cat calls, the winks, the terrible pick up lines. The language may vary, but the message doesn’t. I’ve spent enough time in enough countries now to … Continue reading
This week’s question is about affordable, Europe, solo travel ideas for June: Hi Katie I need some travel advice, have 10 days in june that I’m taking off. I want somewhere in Europe that’s quick, cheap and warm. I don’t want to spend a lot of money, but I do want a new, interesting, fun place where … Continue reading
Spring is slowly emerging here, but there is not much springing taking place yet. My local friends tell me it will be another month or so before the warm weather is here to stay. I’ve been longing for summer with its sultry heat, rich, saturated colors and seemingly endless hot, still, nights. Spring is more fleeting, … Continue reading
Madame Perruque was on fire this week. We were continuing our critiques of magazine ads and Juliet, an impossibly tall, thin, Cuban woman – who looked like she had just breezed off the pages of Cosmopolitan herself – made her way to the front of the class. Her choice was a steamy, full page ad … Continue reading
I’m part way through my second semester of French classes and truth be told, I’m in over my head. Things have accelerated quickly and I have the distinct feeling that the students folded into the chairs around me understand a lot more than I do. I like being in school though and I figure even … Continue reading
Les Distilleries Ideales is my favorite bar in Nice. It’s in the old city with prime real estate on a busy corner with delightful early evening sun. They have a full drinks menu complete with cocktails and whiskey, but most people come here for the beer. There is a good selection of imported beers on draught … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Nice Opera House With the miles of beaches, dozens of museums and endless restaurants to offer, going to the opera isn’t the first thing you might think of when imagining a visit to Nice. It should be. Located in Nice’s old city just steps from the sea front, the gorgeous opera house is … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Arlequin Gelati – Nice, France One could be forgiven for mistaking gelato as a local delicacy in Nice. While there are no Starbucks to be found here, It’s hard to walk a block without passing a gelato spot. I am of the firm belief that Arlequin is the best in town. Roberto, the proud proprietor of the shop, … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Chez Palmyre – Nice, France If you only eat at one restaurant in Nice, it should be Chez Palmyre. This place is the whole package; the atmosphere is perfect, the food is amazing, the service is great and the price is right. The tiny hole in the wall is absolutely adorable, and its … Continue reading
Everyone says the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself, and after a year and a half of pretty intensive immersion, I am still a loooong way from fluency. But my French is finally starting to evolve from random il pronounced words into a real mode of communication. Languages do not come … Continue reading
No matter where I am in the world, i am always drawn to doorways. From brightly painted ones surround by tropical pants in Brazil, to gothic relics in ancient Italian fortresses, to rusting wrought iron in Lebanon, I love them all. The older, and more derelict the better in my book:
Today’s Tip: Restaurant A. Rotta – Algajola, Corsica Restaurant A. Rotta is understated, casual, and welcoming with outrageously beautiful views just like the Ile de Beaute itself. All the way at the far end of Algajola’s powdery white sand beach there is a no frills sign alerting passers by of something called “Snack A. Rotta” Truth be told, it … Continue reading
The Englishman and I are planning a trip to Corsica this summer, and I have been getting excited thinking about another visit to what has become one of my absolute favorite places in the world. On our first trip to the gorgeous French island a couple of years ago, we spent a few of days … Continue reading
Sidi Bou Said – Nice, France This seemingly ordinary storefront in one of Nice’s grittier neighborhoods is a diamond in the rough. Save for the delicate blue and green Middle Eastern tiles around the door frame, this place blends in with the discount clothing and light bulb shops around it , but the humble doorway … Continue reading
Last year I was lucky enough to spend three whole months traveling. I nearly made it all the way around the world from Europe, to the Middle East, through the US and around South East Asia. I saw some wonderful places, met fascinating people, and got to celebrate a few milestones with good friends. I … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Hotel Victor Hugo It can be tricky to find a place to stay in Nice. The city isn’t lacking in hotels, but there is a hole in the market. There are plenty of beautiful, upscale, and very expensive ones, and even more scuzzy, grimy, questionable ones but there aren’t all that many in the … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Le Tono Le Tono is the closest thing I have to a neighborhood place in Nice. It’s a couple blocks from my apartment and it has a vey local, friendly feel. This place is not your typical bar though. They call themselves a wine bar, and they do have a great selection of … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Caves Romagnan Caves Romagnan is a teeny, tiny, scruffy jazz club and wine bar directly across from my apartment and although I love hearing the music drift up to my balcony on warm nights, I never thought of going in. During the week, the place seems to be a favorite hangout for local … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Via Latina This little Italian deli is among my favorite places in Nice. The beautiful and vast selection of meats, cheeses, and fresh pastas in the large glass case, are just the beginning. In addition to the fresh Italian products in the front of the shop, there is a second room behind with shelves … Continue reading
