Provence and the Cote d' Azur

The Cote d' Azur is as much a vision as it is a place. Like the many generations of artists it has inspired with its luminosity, I too found inspiration and was able to take advantage of the generous Riviera sun for my photos. Our first stop on this sun splashed slice of coastline that stretches from Cannes to the west and Menton to the east was Monte Carlo. Peter and I spent 2 days exploring Monte Carlo and Monaco-Ville or old town. From there we spent 5 days in Antibes with quick jaunts to Juan les Pins, Mougins and Saint Paul de-Vence for either lunch or dinner.

Good morning Monte Carlo! I took these photos just before sunrise as I walked from our hotel, The Hermitage in Monte Carlo to old town, Monaco-Ville.

There is something hopeful about watching the sun rise...

...alone overlooking the Monte Carlo harbor from Old Town, I catch a beautiful, crisp dawn.

Old Town Monaco-Ville - Prince's Palace - Saint Nicholas Cathedral (where princess Grace is buried)

La Vie en Rose or seeing life through rose colored glasses is literally exemplified in these photos which I took just before sunrise in Antibes

Carpe Diem

The sun now bathing the same route back to the Cap d' Antibes Beach Hotel

It's now my turn to bathe in this gorgeous Riviera sun...being so early in the morning, I have first dibs on these sunbeds.

About 30 minutes west of Antibes we visited the small hilltop village of Mougins where we had an amazing lunch at L'Amandier (recommended by our concierge) in the heart of the old village. Unbeknownst to us, Mougins has a strong culinary history with such great chefs as Roger Verge and Alain Ducasse having managed L'Amandier as well as other restaurants in the village. Great food in a most charming setting, we could not have asked for a better afternoon!

With every beautiful sunrise comes an equally beautiful sunset

The gorgeous patio of the Belles Rives hotel in Juan les Pins offered stunning views of a spectacular Riviera sunset which Peter and I enjoyed on not one but on two consecutive evenings. This was truly quintessential "joie de vivre" - sipping champagne, gorgeous setting, beautiful sunset in the company of my wonderful husband. We will definitely be back...

#Travel #Personal