Patricia Sands

Author

Absolutely Southern France

Memories tour/18 ~ Day 5 ~with a slight glitch!

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Be still my heart! On Day 5, we had a full day to wander where my heart lives … and where my Love in Provence series is set … enchanting Antibes.

This was a wonderful day of strolling the streets we’ve all read about, taking photos, picturing Katherine, Philippe and the other characters from the stories going about their lives. It was such great fun to listen to the chatter and comments. And Mother Nature continued to provide perfect weather.

 

Best fans ever!

On the search for Philippe, the handsome fromager in the Antibes Marché Provençal!

 

 

These 500-year-old doors are true inspiration, crafted for the church to give thanks for local villagers surviving a dreadful plague.

To be continued …

 

 

 

Memories tour/18 ~ Day 4

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Okay, please don’t judge me ~ I’m slooooowly posting about every day on our tour. I have a lot more photos and will eventually get them into an online album. In the meantime, I’m at least compiling a (brief) daily photo journal of the wonderful memories we made together.

On Day 4, we had an easy morning with everyone free to do whatever they pleased … sleeping in, shopping, catching the Musée Chagall or Matisse, exploring the old town, or climbing Castle Hill. So many choices!

At 12:30 we met our guide Stephanie, boarded our comfy coach in Nice, and wended our way along the Moyenne Corniche, enjoying the spectacular views where the hillsides drop precipitously to the azure sea.

After a brief history concerning the stunning hilltop village of Eze, we committed to heading straight up the steep cobblestone allées to the 12thC castle ruin at the top of Jardin Exotique. The panorama from here at 1400 ft above the Mediterranean is worth the climb.

Below is another perspective of Eze that I took on a day when I drove along the Haute Corniche … a bird’s eye view.

From Eze, we drove back down to the sea and spent a leisurely afternoon exploring the stunning Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its breathtaking gardens and dancing fountains in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

 

 

At the end of the day, another fine evening!

 

Be sure to visit the website of my friend and tour co-leader, Deborah Bine aka Barefoot Blogger, where you will find all sorts of great articles on more places in France than you can imagine. I’m telling you … that lady gets around! Click right here!

Memories Tour/18 ~ Day 2

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And away we go! Day #2 began with us exploring the old town of Nice with guide extraordinaire, Stephanie.

We ended the morning at the popular Promenade du Paillon.

Le dejeuner ~ This Niçoise favourite was a  newly discovered taste sensation by many in the group! Pan bagnat is often described as a salade Nicoise on  a bun. Nom! Nom! Miam! Miam!

After lunch it was time to climb aboard the Hop On-Hop Off Bus and travel further afield.

From the Promenade des Anglais to breathtaking Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Then back to Nice again, through the heart of the city, up and down the hills to Cimiez before returning to the sea … an impressive overview of this stunning area.

La Chaise Bleue ~ the official symbol of the Ville de Nice. To learn the history behind it, click here.

Rolling along from Nice and the Baie des Anges …

… to Villefranche-sur-Mer!

Back to Nice just in time for an apéro in the quiet ambiance of the bar of the iconic  Hotel Le Negresco. The original walnut woodwork dates from 1913 and the walls are adorned with an ancient tapestry as well as fine artwork.

Hanging out in the Royal Lounge with a melange of classical and contemporary artwork like this sculpture by Nicky de St-Phalle .

Going back to home base, Beau Rivage Hotel, in style!
And a good night to all! These night owls outlasted the others!

For more photos and additional details, please check the Barefoot Blogger’s website. My bestie, Deborah Bine, and I are having a blast sharing our love of France with the enthusiastic Francophiles on this trip … all 16 of them!

For more information about this tour and to sign up to join us next year,contact Absolutely Southern France Travel Company. It’s easy … just click on this link.

 

 

On y va ~ follow along on our 2018 women’s tour!

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The fun in the south of France began in Nice today as sixteen ladies arrived from Canada, the United States and Australia. They will spend the next twelve exciting days with my good friend, Deborah Bine aka Barefoot Blogger, and me.

Day #1 ~ Dinner on the beach kicked things off tonight, with a delicious meal at the Plage Beau Rivage .

A perfect Côte d’Azur evening was the best reward after arduous hours of travel. The journey from Melbourne, Australia, to Nice was definitely the longest. So much fun getting to know everyone!

We hope you will follow along as we visit some of the beautiful historic and charming locations I write about in my novels and Deborah blogs about.  Thanks to the awesome Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France travel agency for putting all of our details into such an impressive package. 

Come join us as we make some memories for a lifetime!