Visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer

Located just around the bend from Nice, situated next to iconic towns such as Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, is the beautiful seaside town of Villefranch-Sur-Mer in the heart of the French Riviera. August is the high season for taking a "holiday" as the Europeans call it, and with my Instagram feed filled with pictures of bloggers and jet-setters alike frolicking around the South of France, I could not help but reminisce about my recent visit in May.

Villfranche is by far one of my favorite towns on the Riviera. If you are staying in a central area such as  Nice, Villefranche is only about a 3 minute train ride! It is one stop from Nice-Riquier train station. Crossing under the hill which takes approximately 2 minutes seems to transform you back in time as you enter a sleepy, seaside village.

The bay of Villefranche is filled with fishing boats and yachts alike, with the crowds enjoying the beach, an aperitif, or people watching. There is one beach in Villefranche and it is public. I recommend getting there early during the high season as the beach can fill up quickly so you will want to get there to stake out some prime real estate. The water is calmer than the neighboring Plage de Nice as it is tucked into a bay, and thus the waves are smaller. There is a snack stand that serves food and beverages (alcohol included) should you feel the need to indulge while catching some Mediterranean rays.

If the beach is not for you, the old town of Villefranche, while small, is simply beautiful. Strolling the streets and small shops is a great way to pass the afternoon. I also recommend making your way to the top of the citadel de Villefranche as the views are simply amazing as you hover over the beach and entire bay. It is a great way to enjoy the azur blue waters for which the South of France is known.

Looking for a great way to end a relaxing day on the beach? I recommend visiting Beluga, situated right along the water, for an enjoyable afternoon cocktail and snack. The venue features plush outdoor seating to continue to enjoy the picturesque views.

Plage Beau Rivage Nice

The South of France is filled with miles and miles of beaches. From large stones to fine sand, these beaches are simply beautiful and the choices can some times seem overwhelming. I have experienced the beaches of Nice multiple times now, both public and private. 

The public beaches of Nice are great, but be prepared for the large stones as they can be quite uncomfortable after a few hours. On a recent trip to Nice, I decided to experience one of the many private beach options along the Promenade des Anglais. I had heard great things about Plage Beau Rivage and had read great reviews about the beach as well. 

Let me just say that one trip to Beau Rivage turned into 4! If you are looking for the experience a private beach has to offer, I highly recommend trying Beau Rivage. The iconic blue and white strip umbrella and chairs line this section of the beach. I opted for front row chairs which do come at a premium over the other rows, but I do recommend the unobstructed view, especially during high season. 

Visting a private beach for the day will definitely be an expense, but the comfort of the chair, the available menu, the service, and amenities all make for a very enjoyable afternoon. A chair, towel, and umbrella will run about 25 euros per person. Full details and reservation are available online.

I recommend the Greek salad for a nice afternoon meal paired with a large bottle of rosé to enjoy throughout the day. You really cannot go wrong!

What to Pack for a Trip to Cote d'Azur

I am exciting to be jetting off to the South of France to hopefully enjoy some sunny days on the riviera. The Cote d'Azur is one of my favorite places in the world as it just exudes natural beauty and truly is how Slim Aaron's depicted it in his series of photographs.

It will be an exciting to be on the riviera with the 68th Festival du Cannes commencing, however, it is also a tricky time in terms of packing. The spring season will call for more than just shorts, sunglasses, and t-shirts as the temperatures will remain mild during the day and cool in the evening.

I am one for which packing is always a dreaded task despite traveling frequently. I recently took a trip to Paris, however, the Cote d'Azur calls for a much more vibrant color palette, one to match the azur blue waters of the Mediterranean. Below are my suggestions for stylish trip to the South of France.

Sandals: Ralph Lauren // Sunglasses: Armani // Wallet: Goyard // Trunks: Lilly Pulitzer & Ralph Lauren (similar) // T-Shirt: Hanes

If you are like me, the main appeal of going to the coast will be spending days lounging on the beach, at a beach lounge, or soaking up the sun in your favorite spot. With that being said, I recommend packing daywear that centers around statement swimwear (read my recent love for statement swimwear). Great swim trunks will be perfect for the beach, but when paired with a simple white v-neck and sandals, these trunks are the basis of a great casual outfit perfect for going from beach to cafe in town. 

Shirt: Ralph Lauren // Sunglasses: Saint Laurent // Bracelet: Miansai // Cargos: Ralph Lauren (similar) // Sandals: Ralph Lauren

When transitioning for the beach & day to evening, I selected pieces that were colorful and light. Since temperatures are slightly cooler at night, I recommend light weight chinos and cargo pants for a more modern look. Pair bright hues with white for a simple, classic look. Accessorize with great sunglasses, eyewear, and a bracelet. Be sure to pack pants that match a myriad of your tops, allowing you to pack less and save room in your suitcase for anything you might pick up during your visit. 

Men's Summer Essential: Statement Swimwear

Summer is finally right over the horizon, and I could not be more excited for the warm weather and sun-filled weekends. An upcoming trip to the French Riviera has me thinking of sunny beaches and turquoise waters...but what to wear? 

The summer season for me means bright colors and vibrant and lively prints. I have always had an extensive collection of printed capri trunks when Lilly used to make men's stuff, however, for my upcoming trip or any day you may be spending in a seaside town, statement swimwear makes for an easy, appropriate outfit.

I recently purchased Ralph Lauren Purple Label Swim Trunks (similar) that function perfectly as a short for strolls through beach towns and will be perfect for Nice and the Cote d'Azur. The vibrant floral print of the trunks makes a strong statement, and when paired with a simple white v-neck and great sandals, you can create an ideal look for an outdoor lunch or day party at a beach club. 

I completed the look with fun, novelty sandals by Ralph Lauren and a favorite pair of aviators from Randolph Engineering. 

Do you utilize great swimwear to make day outfits during hot summer days? What are some of your favorite statement swimwear pieces this season?

Springtime St Germain Cocktails

One of my favorite things about the warmer weather, longer days, and spring season is enjoying refreshing cocktails on the patio in the sun or next to the fire bowl during warm evenings. St. Germain, the artisanal French liqueur, is a great way to elevate cocktails for the spring season. I love the refreshing flavor it brings to any recipe to which it is added.

One of my favorite, and easy, springtime cocktails to make is the classic "Signature St Germain." This drink is super easy and is great for serving to a crowd as it is simple enough to serve in a carafe or pitcher. Not to mention I simply love the flavor of St Germain and their slogan says it all "La Vie Parisienne en Bouteille"....who could want more?

St-Germain Cocktail

1 1⁄2 parts St-Germain
2 parts Champagne or dry white wine
2 parts club soda or sparkling water

Stir ingredients in a tall, ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Garnish with a lemon twist. If necessary, substitute sparkling wine, Prosecco or Cava for Champagne. For the dry white wine, Sauvingon Blanc works best.

*I like to add my own personal touch and add a few fresh seasonal berries. This particular time, strawberries fit the bill!

Looking for  more great ways to incorporate St Germain into your springtime sips? Try these additional recipes below!

Springtime Punch
14oz Bombay Sapphire gin
7 oz St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
1 spring of sage
6 oz Fresh guava juice
6 oz Lemon juice
Black peppercorn

Sangria Flora 
3 Cups Sauvignon Blanc or Dry white wine
¾ Cups St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
5 Fresh Strawberries (halved)
5 Fresh Raspberries
5 Fresh Blackberries
10 Fresh Grapes

Stir ingredients in a carafe. Let the mixture soak for 15 minutes (or longer if desired), then pour into ice-filled glasses. *The fruits listed are merely suggestions. Many combinations of local, seasonal fruit will work nicely with St-Germain. Be creative! Serves 4-6 people.

Snapshots of Nice

The social media world seems to be filled with gorgeous pictures of travel and vacation, and I must admit, it has me a bit jealous. This summer was a bit up in the air so I did not have the opportunity to plan any big travel which was a bummer, however, all the great pictures I have been seeing made me reminisce about one of my favorite trips and favorite places: Nice, France.

Below are a few snapshots of this picturesque town on the Cote d'Azur. If you have not been, I highly recommend a visit, it truly is the gateway to the Cote d'Azur with easy access to popular neighboring cities such as Cannes, Monaco, Cap Ferrat, and the coast of Italy. Nice has a great mixture of old a new with Vieille Nice and its narrow streets and beautiful buildings and the newer construction along the Quais d'Anglais. From shopping to dinning and nightlife, Nice really does have it all. Of course my favorite part was the beautiful, deep blue waters.

Have you taken any trips this summer or have an exciting one in the works? I am always looking for new destinations and recommendations!

Reflecting on the Riviera

In August, I concluded summer in the Riviera- in my eyes one of the best ways to end the summer before a year of hard work ahead. The French Riviera is one of my favorite places in the world. Everywhere you look it is just picture perfect. 

I've found myself sitting in class or at work reminiscing a lot of about the Azur waters of the Mediterranean and the French wine. I think another vacation is in store. I invite you, too, to reflect on the Riviera as I share some of my favorite Instagram pictures from Nice, Monaco, and Villefranche. 

The colors along the Mediterranean are just breathtaking. I could put hundreds of photos up, but I think these Instagram shots I captured do it good justice. Have you traveled to the South of France before? If so, what was your favorite town?

I am excited to be participating in "Instagram Travel Thursday" this week, started by Katja Presnal of Skimbaco Lifestyle. Join other travels and get an inside look into some amazing photos around the world. This week, I am linking up at Hines Sight Blog. Happy traveling!

Cote d'Azur

The Cote d'Azur was my favorite travel destination on my recent excursion to Europe. In the month of August, the south of France begins the destination for chic French and Americans as well. Since most French get the entire month of August off from work, I found there to be more natives than Americans which I thought was great!

I selected Nice as the town to stay since it has the airport and lots to do. There are TONS of small towns and villages on the Cote d'Azur, and each one is equally amazing and beautiful. Nice offers an airport, public and private beaches (which are stone), a promenade, and port. 

Why is the Cote d'Azur my favorite place? As you can see from the images, it looks like a postcard everywhere you look almost everyday. The water is truly a deep azur blue. Additionally, as someone who speaks French, it is always great to get to use and practice the language. It makes restaurant and travel experiences much more enjoyable and less stressful!

It is very easy to get from Nice to neighboring towns such as Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche, and Monaco. I took the train to Villefranche (2 minute ride from the nearest Nice station) and to Monaco (17 minute ride). The trip to Monaco was only about $6 roundtrip.  My favorite town was Villefranche. It was absolutely incredible with its famous "Citadelle" overlooking the bay filled with swimmers and yachts. The town itself is beautiful with narrow stone streets and pastel colored houses.

I choose to stay in an apartment rented from the owner rather than a hotel. In Nice, this is definitely a less expensive option as hotels can be quite expensive, but I also feel like it provides for a more authentic travel experience. Ours was quite authentic as we got to deal with native Francophones who owned the apartment- French came in handy once again! Our place was right near the port of Nice and the Vielle Ville which was great. If you are traveling to Europe I definitely recommend apartments before looking at hotels!

Have you been to the South of France? What was your favorite town? There are a few on my list that I didn't get to go to so that will have to be saved for the next trip!