Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist
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One of the largest carnivals in the world is held on the sunny French Riviera. The colorful parades of the Carnaval de Nice entertain visitors, both young and old. For the 3rd year in a row, we joined in the fun during the elegant Bataille de Fleurs or Battle of Flowers. The Nice Carnaval Battle of Flowers is Lucy’s favorite event. She loves dancing to the music, seeing the gorgeous floral displays and admiring the extravagant costumes.
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Located near the border of Italy, the coastal city of Menton boasts beautiful pastel colored buildings, quaint cobblestone streets and fabulous sea views. If visiting the South of France, the historic city makes a great day trip from Nice.
A bit of history – in 1346, Menton was purchased by Prince Charles Grimaldi. It remained part of Monaco for just over 500 years before being annexed to France and becoming part of the Alpes Maritimes department. In the late 1800’s, Menton was a famed health resort. British families flocked to the city to spend their winters soaking up the warm Mediterranean sun. Today, it’s easy to see this why the city was a draw for the Prince of Monaco and northern Europeans. Wandering the old streets, visitors will be transported back in time.
Follow the narrow, cobbled streets as you climb through the Old Town. The dark alleys are spotted with bursts of greenery & fragrant flowers around every corner.
The Basilica St. Michel was built in 1619 at the direction of Prince Honoré II of Monaco, but was completely restored in 1887. The ornate architecture, frescos and imposing altar make it well worth a visit. The Basilica isn’t open all day, so check the opening times, as it varies by season.
Next to the Basilica is La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs or The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, which was built in the 1680’s on the grounds outside the walls of the medieval city. The beautiful altars and unique red walls inside the chapel are worth a look.
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Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of our favorite villages along the Cote d’Azur. It’s just on the other side of Mont Boron from Nice, making it easily accessible by foot, bus or train. There are plenty of things to do in Villefranche for the entire family. The picturesque Old Town is well kept and a great spot to wander, shop or grab a bite to eat.
One of the highlights of the village is the bay and beach of Villefranche, one of the deepest natural harbors of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a great spot for kids to swim. I suggest equipping them with a mask and snorkel to experience the local sealife. Due to the depth, the United States Navy made Villefranche the home port of the U.S. 6th Fleet from 1948 to 1966. Interestingly, the U.S. fleet was recently back in Villefranche to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their departure.
The Beach – As already mentioned, the beach is great for swimming and other aquatic activities. For instance, you’ll find a ton of paddle boarders out on the water. It’s perfect for kids as there is a gradual slope from the shore, so kids can easily play in the shallow, calm waters. Another neat feature is the composition of the beach. It’s made of tiny pebbles, not sand, so it’s more comfortable than the rockier bottom at Nice beach.
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A unique holiday tradition on the French Rivera is the hunt for crèches (nativity scenes) in the mountain village of Lucéram. Lucéram was a thriving village in the 15th century as it was a stopping place on one of the salt roads. During the holiday season, the entire village is bursting with holiday spirit. There are 450 crèches throughout the village each year. We didn’t find anywhere near 450, but we did find well over a hundred. Finding the Lucéram crèches is something the entire family will enjoy – it’s a treasure hunt for mangers!
Once arriving in Lucéram, pick up a map at the tourism office or, even better, from the information desk once you get off the bus. We picked up ours in Vence with other holiday pamphlets. You should be able to prepare ahead of time at other area tourist offices as well.
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We planned our first visit to Slovakia for December, just so we could experience the Bratislava Christmas Market. Approximately 100 red & white stalls teem with traditional Slovakian cuisine and handcrafted goods. Live music played nightly with locals and tourist milling about, shopping, eating, drinking, laughing and dancing. It was fun for our entire family to be part of the lively Christmas atmosphere.
The kids favorite part of our visit was eating their way through the Christmas Market. This is becoming a theme with them. It’s a great motivational tool to get them out the door! Tantalizing aromas tickle your senses as you make your way through the market. The sweet smell of cinnamon, the sizzling of frying sausage and the roasting of chestnuts all blend together to leave your stomach grumbling.
Visitors will find traditional dishes such as cabbage soup in a bowl and barbecued meat turning slowing on a stick. Plenty of high tables are set up around the market, so you can enjoy your meal while taking in the festive market atmosphere.
