One Magnifique Day

We sat at our breakfast table clinging to the last moments with our international colleagues and friends from Alan Weiss’s Million Dollar Club, watching the gulls soar and the yachts awaken in the morning Mediterranean mist. After hugs and doubled sided kisses we all parted ways, for now, some returning to their homes and others,like us, setting out for more holiday time in the beautiful cities in France and neighboring countries.

Laurel and I threw our bags into our rented convertible with the sun pouring down and the GPS set for the coast. Driving the coastal highways was exhilarating as we carefully peered at the sea while hugging the narrow cliffside lanes.We arrived at Eze, an exclusive old village carved into the mountainside with its uneven stone walkways replete with artisans displaying their wares, cafes and a frescoed church where a bride and groom were posing for their paparazzi.

Our journey continued on toward the town of Ville French sur la mer; a quaint village as its name suggests, on the sea. We enjoyed a fresh fish lunch mere feet from the water as we watched locals tugging their bobbing fishing lines and grabbing the last bit of Mediterranean summer fun in the water and sand.

The evening brought us to the Imperial Hotel Garoupe in Antibes.  Reminiscent of Tuscany, we checked into our room where the balcony terrace overlooked lush manicured lawns, flowering bushes and trees, dotted with roses bursting with color. This quiet, still oasis was a sharp contrast to the blaring and high rolling Monte Carlo where the rich and famous play loud and hard.

We capped off our magical day with candlelit dinner served by skilled waiters and highly accredited sommeliers who not only explained wine pairings but water pairings for each course as well. Though Laurel’s still a tap water girl, it was quite enlightening to us both. And now, Bon soir, good night until tomorrow’s adventure.

(stay tuned for photos shortly)