Everyone should visit Nice at least once during their lifetime. The light, the colours, and the ambiance are seductive, and one finds everything from ancient Roman ruins to the ultra modern "La Tete au Carré", an office building perched high atop a sculpted noggin. The picturesque harbor is edged with structures painted in the typical earthen hues of the region; mustard and terra cotta in varying shades from intense to pastel, accented with greens and blues. Open air markets in old town offer everything from dried lavender to fresh strawberries, olive oil and dried sausage. The mountain roads wind sharply, leading one up through terraced neighborhoods that offer stunning views of a sea shimmering in the hot sun. Swimmers cool off deeply tanned bodies barely covered by speedos and thongs whilst tourists wander the narrow streets of "Old Nice" shopping for souvenirs and snapping photos. The piazzas are crowded with locals as well as visitors, who stop for a drink at the cafés which surround the ever present fountain, this is where one gathers to gossip and share the news of the day. Small groups of male "Nicoise" gather around tiny tables in the shade to play cards, beautiful girls negotiate scooters through the crowd, homemakers hang their laundry out to dry from third level windows. Away from the hustle and bustle of old town one discovers the ruins of Roman bathhouses, arenas, and the first Catholic church in Nice, dating back to the time of Christ. Open to the public, it is possible to stroll through the crumbling foundations of history all the while marveling at its modern day existence. It is a fairytale city, rich in culture with many stories to tell. I was sorry to depart, but there was more to see of the Cote d'Azur. Next stop: Cannes!
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