Eze, France & Apricale, Italy
I again took to the shores of the Mediterranean for an off season adventure on the Cote d'Azur. I again stayed in Menton and spent considerable time soaking in the sun and taking in the views of the bay of Menton. This was my 5th trip to this area of France but my first renting a car (train strikes!) so I took advantage of that rental to visit some farther out of the way locations then normal:
La Turbie
Not particularly far from Menton, but kind of complicated to get to via public transportation, I had wanted to take a peek at the Trophie of the Alps built during the time of Caesar Augustus to mark . Hard to get a glimpse of up the Trophie without paying the entrance fee - easy to get a glimpse of from slightly out of town approaching. There were wonderful views down to Monaco and across towards Italy.
Tête de Chien (Dog's Head)
Just outside of La Turbie we drove to the area known as Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) which is what the rocky spot high above Monaco looks like from below. Once again amazing views back toward Nice
Eze
Next stop the little town of Eze. I have passed this town several times on public buses in earlier trips to the area, the bus would stop, tons of people would try to get on, they couldn't and some would be left behind to repeat the experience on the next bus. So I had never stopped. The guidebooks all say stop, its so charming and walkable and must visit so we checked it out. It was fine - a LOT of climbing, really crowded, for my money on small hill towns in the areas I have to go with Sainte-Agnès, but the views from the exotic garden at the top of the town were quite stunning.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
The town next door - we explored the fantastic walking path along the sea - wow.
San Remo
Taking advantage of the car we drove into Italy several times. The farthest east we drove was the beach town of San Remo, on a rather unbeachy day. I was impressed with the fishing fleet.
Ventimiglia
I visited on the famous Friday market day, but also on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, when the character of the town is much different, quiet and laid back.
Ligurian Villages - Dolceaqua, Apricale, Pigna, Castel Vittorio, Isolabona
I did a lightning round of small villages in the Nervia Valley in far western Liguria. Dolceaqua is the most famous (famous for its bridge) it was jam packed with tourists and buses so we did a drive through of town and moved on to Isolabona, up the narrow road to Apricale, backtracked and then headed up to Pigna and Castel Vittorio. My favorite: Apricale.
Monaco Grand Prix
One last place I visited that was not out of the way, but was quite the special occasion, was Monaco for the Grand Prix. Well not quite the Grand Prix itself, tickets were insane, but I went on Saturday, for F1 Qualifying and the F2 Race and feel that I got my full taste of Formula One and the glitz of the Grand Prix. FYI I was in section Z1 which I highly recommend - 2nd cheapest ticket price, general admission but I easily got a seat, in the shade, right next to the track with a good view of a straightaway and turn.
Another beautiful and relaxing trip to the Cote d'Azur! Hopeful it will generate lots of drawing and painting ideas.