Tag Archives: France

5 Days on the French Riviera

5 Days on the French Riviera

Having a year-round holiday vibe, the French Riviera or Cote d’Azur epitomizes the joie de vivre. Enjoy and see it yourself, the good-life spirit in the Riviera’s coastal resort towns and up high in perched villages clinging to the foothills of the Alps. Play in the maze of old-city alleys, find out what’s new at the Provencal markets, go on road trips full of picture-perfect views and appreciate summer sound of cigales. In the five days in the Cote d’Azur sample itinerary, we’ll take you to the very best sites and sounds of the French Riviera.

Where to Stay in the French Riviera?

If you’re looking for a non-stop action and the city life, Nice is perfect for you. Later in this guide, you’ll learn that Nice has a good boardwalk, many dining and drinking options, and casinos. Since it is the fifth largest city in France, Nice has a lot of accommodation to choose from the suits all your tastes and budget – from French Riviera home rentals, apartments to five-star hotels.

French Riviera Travel Tips

  • Cote d’Azur is a year-round holiday destination, and best enjoyed during the shoulder seasons from April to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is great for all types of activities, tourists and visitors haven’t yet arrived or have left already, and the traffic isn’t bad.
  • You can tour around by foot in the Cote d’Azur major towns such as Antibes, Cannes, and Nice, and even use the train or bus to get from one destination to the other. Much better if you can rent a car, as it will open up the beautiful countryside for exploration.
  • Some of the museums are usually free on bank holidays and on the first Sunday of the month.
  • There are so many excellent products to bring back as souvenirs such as jams, olive oil, lavender, perfume, and many more, so consider paying for your extra luggage for the return back home.
  • If you’re into Scuba diving, there are few dive clubs in and around the Antibes.

Day 1: Arrive in Nice, Explore Nice

Most flights arrive into Nice in the late morning or early afternoon depending on where you are traveling from. Check into your hotel and then spend the rest of the day discovering the streets of Nice.

Tour along the Promenade des Anglais, a paved walkway along the coastline of Nice. Climb the Castle Hill to see the entire view of Nice. Go to Old Nice (Vieux Nice), a picturesque part of town with narrow streets, many cafés and restaurant, and colorful buildings.

Day 2: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

On the second day, explore the many scenic towns in the Cote d’Azur.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is located on the coast just east of Nice. You can get in this town by hiring a taxi, which is the easiest way. Spend half your day exploring the calm and colorful streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer. There are few great restaurants you can find along the water’s edge, a good place for your lunch.

After lunch, grab another taxi and go to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Cap Ferrat. This Villa is a mansion that was constructed in 1905 by a rich baroness. The house is just stunning and most tourists visit here to see its beautiful gardens.

A few minutes away from Villa Ephrussi is the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat where you can rest in the small beach and harbor. To appreciate the beauty of the town, walk along the Promenade Maurice Rouvier to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From this place, you can grab a taxi going back to Nice.

End your day with dinner and drinks in Nice.

Day 3: Monaco

Spend your third day in the French Riviera by exploring Monaco. But, if you have enough time to relax on the beach in Nice, it’s better before going to Monaco.

After your sumptuous meal, take a 20-minute train ride from Nice to Monaco.

In Monaco, tour along the harbor, as this is the place to go yacht watching. Other amazing ways to enjoy Monaco are gambling at the Monte Carlo Casino, walk through the Japanese Gardens and see Prince Rainier III’s private collection of cars. After that, grab a drink at Café de Paris Monte Carlo.

After dinner in Monte Carlo, catch the train going back to Nice.

 

Day 4: Antibes and Cannes

Your journey continues along the coast of Cote d’Azur. Catch the train from Nice to Antibes, which will take you about 20 minutes.

In Antibes, you’ll see the largest yachting harbor in Europe – the Port Vauban. It is larger than the harbor in Monaco.

Walk along the coastline of Antibes and visit their interesting museums such as Picasso and Absinthe Museum. From Antibes, ride a train going to Cannes, it’s just 7 minutes away from Antibes. Cannes is known for its luxury hotels and its annual Cannes Film Festival. Spend your day on the beach, sip a drink in Ritz-Carlton Hotel, or experience the Italian cuisine at one of the several restaurants on docks perched over the ocean.

The annual Cannes Film Festival runs for ten days in mid-May.

Catch the train going back to Nice.

Day 5: Drive the French Riviera to Marseille

For your fifth and final day, rent a car and drive some of the most picture-perfect roads in France. Between Monaco and Nice, there are three cornices, winding roads along the mountainous coastline. They are easy to drive and will give a tourist a different view of the Cote d’Azur than from the shoreline.

 

This is a sponsored guest post. The views and words do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


Leave a Comment

Filed under sponsored guest post, Travel

Classic Toys Like Baby Dolls Are a Cherished Part of Childhood-#Giveaway #Corolle

If you follow Mommy Ramblings you know we love Corolle Dolls! Corolle has been a premium doll brand with dolls designed in France for over 30 years.

Every Corolle doll is designed with great care, love and affection because Corolle knows that a doll is more than a toy; it is a cherished part of childhood:  A doll encourages a child to explore different roles through caring for and sharing hopes, dreams and experiences with an always-understanding friend and playmate.

In the past we have introduced you to several dolls in their amazing line as well as had some very popular giveaways! I am so excited to share Lia Interactive Baby Doll and Goodnight My Mini Calin.

Lia Interactive Baby Doll

Let’s take a look at Lia first. Lia is an extra sweet, large interactive My Classique Corolle doll, who, with a simple touch, acts like a real baby. She can speak 13 phrases and sounds in 4 different languages (English, Italian, French and Spanish).

She has a face, arms and legs made of soft to the touch vinyl that has the trademark delicate vanilla scent Corolle is known for.

She has a cloth body and wears leggings with a long-sleeve T-shirt and sweet headband. She has sleep close eyes. She comes with a bottle, spoon, potty and 3 bracelets that change the language she speaks. Lia can wear any of the 17 inch doll clothing and accessories in the My Classique Corolle Collection. She is made for ages 3 and up.

You can see exactly how she works in my video review below:

Good Night My Mini Calin

Good Night My Mini Calin is such a precious set! I remember how I loved little dolls like this as a child that had accessories and clothing. They were so fun because you could bring them anywhere with you.

The Good Night My Mini Calin gift set includes an 8 inch mini doll, a pair of pajamas and a sleeper – perfect to make up stories and replay the bedtime ritual. This Little doll has a head and limbs made of the incredibly soft, delicately scented vanilla. These gift sets are designed for ages 18 months and older.

Learn more about Good Night My Mini Calin in my video below:

Corolle is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win an Interactive Lia Baby Doll! Thank you  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Corolle Interactive Lia Baby Doll Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

Continue reading


22 Comments

Filed under Baby, Gift, Giveaway, kids, Review, Toys

The Best Way To Cook Soups & Stews! #HolidayGiftGuide #Giveaway

Logo_EmileHenry_PANTONE_Vertical_Grand_No®

The days are getting chilly and soup and stew weather is upon us. There is something about this time of year that makes it more comforting than any other time to enjoy a savory stew, flavorful soup or even a hearty chili.

stewpot

I love to cook stews and soups this time of year. One of my very favorites that I grew up with, is Pasta Fagioli which means pasta with beans in Italian. It is a warm-you-up, stick-to-your-ribs, bowl of deliciousness.

This weekend I cooked a huge batch of it in my brand new Emile & Henry Stewpot. I love this huge 7 quart, red covered stewpot. It is big and that is good because being Italian we never cook a little bit of anything. I believe it had to be an Italian that coined the phrase “Go Big or Go Home”. We just always have enough for anyone that stops by. I have a big family, but stews and soups are so good the next day and even to freeze.

Emile Henry Pot

emile henry pot 1

Emile Henry 5

Emile henry pot 4

This huge stewpot is an entirely natural cooking vessel. This stewpot is part of Emile & Henry’s Flame® product line and can be used direct on heat  (gas, electric or halogen), in the oven, the microwave, even on the barbecue.  The cookware is highly resistant to thermal shocks and you can take it from the freezer and put right in a hot oven.

The cookware itself retains heat so your food stays hot longer. The cookware is wonderful for cooking simmered dishes like stews and soups but  recommended by word renown chefs to use when cooking caramel due to its even heat diffusion. This stewpot makes caramel quickly and easily. We are going to try that out as my husband has been going on about wanting to make a sea-salt caramel.

Flame® Cookware is produced using raw materials directly from nature like non-treated clay, sand, filtered water and mineral oxides for the colorful glazes. So you know you are cooking in total safety. There is no lead, cadmium or nickel in them cookware and so no risk of contamination when cooking. The cookware is made in France from high fired Burgundy clay.

emile henry pot cook

Since it is such an excellent heat diffuser as opposed to metallic cookware, it diffuses heat and does not conduct it. The cooking process is gentle and food does not burn, so you are left with the flavors of your food intact. Since it is such a great diffuser it performs well on lower temperatures. So very high temperatures are unnecessary and it is advised to start with low heat.

Emile Henry 7

The cookware is very sturdy and resistant to mechanical shocks that make it a great choice in restaurants. The glazes used are very resistant to the dishwasher and the most aggressive of detergents

While my Pasta Fagioli was simmering I made a nice crusty round bread in my Emile & Henry Bread Cloche. You may remember when I showed you those last year. They are still one of my favorite kitchen items and the only way I make bread now!

Emile Henry 8

When my Pasta Fagioli was done I served it with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and the fresh sliced bread. It was the perfect weekend dinner on a cold night for this family.

Emile Henry Pot 8

Emile Henry Pot 9

We think the Emile & Henry Stewpot makes a gift that will delight any cooking enthusiast on your gift list. You will find it on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide!

Emile & Henry is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own 7 quart Emile & Henry Stewpot ($240 ARV) . Thank you to Emile & Henry for this gorgeous stewpot and for sponsoring this awesome and extremely generous giveaway for our readers at Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

 

emile henry stewpot

Emile & Henry 7 Quart Stewpot Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

 

Continue reading


28 Comments

Filed under Cooking, Giveaway, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, Home, Home & Garden, Kitchen, Review

Mauviel M’cook, 1.9 qt Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid Review and Giveaway!!!

mauviel-logo

We like to cook at our house and believe in investing in quality cookware because it  cooks better and lasts.  Mauviel Stainless Steel Cookware has a 5 ply construction that works on all cooking surfaces.  The 2.6 mm thickness allows for even heat distribution for fast, uniform and controlled cooking.  Handy pouring rims eliminate drips when pouring liquids and the handles are fixed by sturdy stainless steel rivets.  The oversized handles are great for easy and safe lifting.  Designed for both household and commercial cooking M’cook products are oven safe up to 680 degrees F.  Each piece is handcrafted in France and has a lifetime guarantee for household use.

I tried the 1.9 qt. Stainless Steel Saucepan with Cast Stainless Steel Handle.  You can tell this pan is quality from the first time you hold it in your hands, it is exquisitely crafted and beautiful.  It performs splendidly with even heating and handle and spout that make pouring hot liquids a breeze.  The stainless steel is easy to care for and cleans up like a charm.  If you are looking for some great stainless steel quality handcrafted cookware, you should take a look at Mauviel M’cook.

m'cookstock

 

Features

  • 5 ply Construction – High performance cookware, works on all cooking surfaces, including induction.
  • 2.6 mm Thickness on all shapes – even heat distribution (fast, uniform, controlled cooking).
  • Pouring rims on all shapes – eliminates drips when pouring liquids.
  • Handles fixed by sturdy stainless steel rivets.
  • Available in cast stainless steel, cast iron, or bronze handles.
  • Oversized handles – for safe lifting of stew pans, roasters and other large pots.
  • Professional diameters and heights – M’Cook products have high sides and are designed for both professional and household cooking.
  • Oven safe to 680° F.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Each piece handcrafted in France by Mauviel – manufacturing cookware since 1830.
  • Lifetime guarantee. (Warranty not valid for commercial use)

 

mauviel-cook-layers

 

Mpan

 

mpan1

 

MCook2

 

mcook4

 

Mauviel is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own 1.9 qt. Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid ($150.00 Value)!  Thank you Mauviel for the review saucepan and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Mauviel M’cook, 1.9 qt Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

Continue reading


22 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized