By special invitation from the French government travel office, I have just returned from one of my favorite areas of France - The Riviera, or, the Cote D’Azur.

This very compact region, (about 40 miles long and 1 or 2 miles wide) is an amazingly beautiful and varied region. You can be almost assured of sunny days and a year round mild climate.

Click on each picture for a larger view.
Quaint Riviera town	Cooking School	Cannes Harbor	Mougins Cafe
Nice Harbor	Italian Architecture	Riviera Golf	Hilltop Town of Eze

By special invitation from the French government travel office, I have just returned from one of my favorite areas of France - The Riviera, or, the Cote D’Azur.

This very compact region, (about 40 miles long and 1 or 2 miles wide) is an amazingly beautiful and varied region. You can be almost assured of sunny days and a year round mild climate.

Plan your personal itinerary to include some of the finest small museums in the world - Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, and almost 100 more. You may expect the lovely beach fronts, but the mountain vistas will probably surprise you. The Alps come down almost to the sea. Visit eagle nest villages, perfume factories, ancient castles and beautiful boutique stores.

My personal itinerary was based in Nice, the geographical center of the Riviera. Nice, with a population of about 250,000 people is the fifth largest city in France. An evening stroll along

the Mediterranean, dining in the old town, museum visits and just wandering will provide several days of rewarding exploration.

One of the surprises was the city of Menton, the last French city before entering Italy. This entire section of present-day France was part of Italy until the late 1800's. It is no surprise, therefore, to see Italian architecture, food and language on very prominent display in Menton. Again, just a leisurely walk around town will provide great rewards for the casual traveler.

For a great experience, try to attend the joyous lemon festival held every February, actually it lasts about six weeks.

The medieval villages of Eze and St. Paul de Vence are nostalgic and awe-inspiring reminders of the distant past. Throughout the area, not only in Monte Carlo, casinos are fun places to spend your time and money. Outdoor sports abound, including some of the finest golf courses in Europe are found here.

The food us magnificent. Three star restaurants with their incredible presentations (and prices) are in great demand.. A wonderful splurge, these restaurants offer not only a full evening of dining entertainment but are also surrounded by glorious art, donated by previous patrons. For every day dining, there is no shortage of comfortable restaurants offering wonderfully prepared meals at excellent prices.

If you have time, take some cooking courses. The Roget Verge classes in the village of Mougins will be a memory long treasured. There are separate classes for professionals and amateurs. I heartily recommend including a few cooking classes to spice up your itinerary..

I have not even begun to describe the area - the many homes of the rich and famous, the street markets, hidden churches, the curious castles and so many other rewards to the curious traveler.

Please call or for more specifics and recommendations.