WARNING: Long Post with Many, Many Pictures :-)
Paring down my 1700 + pictures for blog posts is no easy task.
Especially when you have been places like....
Antibes is a resort town that lies on the Mediterranean in the Côte d'Azur, located between Cannes and Nice
Rome gradually increased its hold over the Mediterranean coast and in 43 BC, Antipolis was officially incorporated in the propraetorial (senatorial from 27 BC) province of Gallia Narbonensis in which it remained for the next 500 years. Antipolis grew into the largest town in the region and a main entry point into Gaul. Roman artifacts such as aqueducts, fortified walls and amphoræ can still be seen today.
After the Roman Empire disintegrated in 476 AD various barbarian tribes seized Antibes. This resulted in destruction and a long period of instability. In the 10th century, Antibes found a protector in Seigneur Rodoart, who built extensive fortified walls around the town and a castle in which to live.
By the end of the 15th century, the region was under the protection and control of King Louis XI of France.
The area around Antibes finally emerged from its long slumber around the middle of the 19th century, as wealthy people from around Europe discovered the its natural beauty and built luxurious homes here.
In 1926, the old Château Grimaldi in Antibes was bought by the local municipality and later restored for use as a museum. Pablo Picasso came to the town in 1946, having visited his friend and fellow painter Gerald Murphy and his wife Sara there in 1923, and was invited to stay in the castle. Over the period of his six month stay Picasso painted and drew as well as crafting ceramics and tapestries. When he departed Picasso left a number of his works for the municipality. The castle has since become the Picasso Museum.
I ADORE this pic of the Cherry Stand!
and the Gelati Stand
The city is nicknamed Nice la Belle (Nissa La Bella in Niçard), which means Nice the Beautiful – it is also the unofficial anthem of Nice, written by Menica Rondelly in 1912. Nice is the capital city of the Alpes Maritimesdepartment, and the second biggest city of the Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur after Marseille.
Time to leave the ancient town of Antibes and head to Nice!!
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille,Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721. Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is the second largest French city on the Mediterranean coast.
For decades now, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation, but also those seeking inspiration. The clear air and soft light has been of particular appeal to some of Western culture’s most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Niki de Saint Phalle and Arman. The climate and landscape are still what attracts most visitors today.
Among tourists, Nice is the second most popular French city after Paris, a fact which, combined with the difficulties of land travel at long distance (partly because of the Alps), allows it to have the second busiest airport in France in terms of passenger numbers (close to 10,000,000 passengers in 2005).
Chocolate Croissants...ummm
The area of today’s Nice is believed to be among the oldest human settlements in Europe.
Throughout the ages the town changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. For years, it was an Italian dominion, then became part of France in 1860.
The Cours Saleya is situated parallel to the Quai des Etats-Unis. In the past, it belonged to the upper classes. It probably is the most traditional square of the town, with its daily flower market. In the present, the court is mostly a place of entertainment. There are good restaurants serving typical Nicois cuisine, markets and many pubs.
Vintage Louis Vuittons for sale
Beautiful architecture & monuments
A favorite: Flowers on Balconies
Live Music every where we went...
Culturally and architecturally enriched over time, today Nice has become a truly cosmopolitan tourist destination. The spectacular natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winter there.
You can see the Cannes Film Festival Building from a distance...
One of many Yachts
The amount of wealth there was mind boggling!
Famous Hotel
Cannes France is a picturesque city located on French Riviera. Well known for the Cannes Film Festivalthat takes place each May, Cannes is also a very popular tourist destination in Europe It offers visitors great weather, many interesting tourist attractions, museums and some beautiful Mediterranean beaches.
The below pic was taken for my son Will - he's been intrigued by the topic of *French Kissing!
The famous Claude Debussy Theater
Above all else at the Cannes Film Festival the one truly amazing part of the process is the 2300-seat Grand Théâtre Lumière. The Lumière screens feature films in Competition and Out of Competition in the Official Selection and plush seating and an amazing sound system.
Designer Shopping dominates the streets of Cannes
High end hotels
and sport cars that not even my hubby could identify!
A home interior boutique I knew my Abby Lou would love!
Their two story carousel puts our rusted old merry go rounds to shame
We had a very difficult time finding Wi-Fi (or "wee fee" as one of the French salesman called it) in Europe - couldn't receive or make calls or texts on the ship...so, during excursions we would aggressively look for a connection.
Good ol" Micky D's always came through for us...from Cannes to Pisa.
And by the way, it was always PACKED!!!
Time to head back via ferry to...
Miss Liberty - as she is set to sail to Livorno, Italy overnight
On our way in from our excursions (around 6:00ish) we would always stop for a light dinner along the Promenade area.
The coffee shop and I became VERY good friends :-)
Even the elevator shaft was a sight to behold!
This is the view from our deck (9) looking down on the Promenade
Greg's daily snack stop: *Sorrento's
You guessed it - PIZZA!
My snack of choice ~ SUSHI!
Back to our love shack for a little R & R before our usual 9:00 p.m. dinner
Dinner #3
Yet another super fun evening...in fact, this was the night my hubby got a Wild Hair - which is a VERY rare occasion!
I must send a "Shout Out" to the Warm, Chocolate Lava Cake that night....oh my!
Cheesy pic alert! This is for my own memories - my FAVORITE part of every dinner?!
CAPPUCCINO! And, not just any cappuccino...the world's greatest cappuccino!!!!
We departed the dining room and headed to the Platinum Theatre for the Marriage Comedy Show - kinda like *The Newly Wed Game - it was pretty darn funny!
Lastly, we ended at the Piano Bar where my hubby socialized like a college kid...
1:00 a.m. - Time for Bed
See why our trip was anything but relaxing?!
Day 3: 4 boat rides, 4 bus trips 3 famous French cities + no nap = exhilarating, but exhausting!
2 comments:
Where is my vintage LV? ;)
I'm jealous!
Happy blogoversary :)
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