24 HOURS IN NICE, a page from the travel diary
Imagine you are in Nice, a pearl on the French Riviera, for the first time. And you have only 24 hours to enjoy it. Maybe you’ll come again, maybe not. What would you do? If you are the same adventurous and curious person as I am, you would be all around the place…
Coming to a hotel room, having a shower, putting on the first thing I find on the top of the suitcase. There is no time for makeup. I am not a big fan of it when going on trips, anyway. Meeting the tour guide and a bunch of people (my colleagues) in the reception. Let’s go!
Our tour guide is a real jewel. We realize this fact within the first minutes of our trip. He is driving through the busy main street, setting the customized playlist, passionately talking about history, and showing us the old postcards of the places we pass by. All at the same time! The coastline with the vivid blue sea on the right and old houses, hotels, and parks on the left.
The old city of Nice
Our first stop is the old city. We start exploring the vintage streets and find the best ice cream in the town (Fenocchio on Place Rossetti). There are so many flavors that we have to walk 5 meters there and back to choose. The houses with faded paint of all colors. Strings full of fresh laundry absorb the sunshine and breeze of the early autumn. Decorations above our heads. Sometimes we have to look around us and upwards to as not to miss the magnificence of the moment.
Small village Eze
We are meeting our guide in an hour. The next part of our journey is taking us out of Nice. On the way, we stop at the beautiful viewpoints to take pictures. Small town Eze emerges, built on the rock, looking like it grew from it. We are walking a steep path up to the hotel where we enjoy a glass of wine. On the spot, which you can see only in the movies (on the terrace of Chateau Eza). Or on the footage of Tour de France.
Monaco
And then, the cherry on the top. We are about to cross the borders of Monaco. One of the most luxurious parts of the world. We are told how much it costs to own one square meter here, but it is such a huge amount that I do not bother to even remember it. Few ten thousand euros. Per square meter! We park near the famous Monte Carlo casino. We enter the building with a high ceiling. Paintings on it look like in the museum Louvre in Paris. But the vibe is different here. I do not feel very comfortable in my sleeveless t-shirt and short skirt. The luxury is expected here. Probably evening dress?
We visit the souvenir shop next to the casino. Definitely, one of the most expensive I have ever been to. And then we are ready to head back to Nice. But our guide has one surprise for us.
The road turns to the narrow path and we are going up the hill. He takes us to an amazing spot from which we can see all of Monaco. We have dinner in the local restaurant nearby. The day could not finish a better way.
Discover the magic of the morning Nice
The next morning, I wake up early and walk to the old city. I am willing to sacrifice the sleep, so I can visit the typical market in the center. It’s different every day of the week. I expect fruits or flowers. However, my expectations are exceeded.
I find myself in the middle of antiques. Trying to guess the purpose of the objects I have seen only in museums. The majority of people are locals, not many tourists are interested in waking up at 8 am during their holidays. Maybe if they would know what they’re missing. Brisk morning full of lovely conversations about the grandma’s uncle who wore those ties after the war, about the old designers’ handbags and silver cutleries. I am walking around with a smile and excitement in my eyes. The smile is returned by the merchandisers many times, eyes inviting me to explore their treasures. They are ready to bargain.
At the end of my trip, I enter the small bakery and buy fresh croissants and coffee. Its smell has been following me for the last 24 hours spent in one of the most magical places in Europe. Place, which has a lot to offer. There is a hill where I could go and see it from above. The sea and the beach are ideal for sunbathing and swimming in the summer. But not now. I have to head back. Maybe next time…
