We arrived late in the evening in Nice and took a cab to our wonderful hotel. We were in need of a good night’s sleep and were thankful for very comfortable beds. The next morning we slept late and then walked to the nearby old town Nice. The Mediterranean was aglow with powder blue and azure waters. The old town had a weekly market and displays of food. French goods and flowers beckoned. Once we hit the maze of alleys and streets of old Nice, we were lost in wonder as shops of all kinds were eager to welcome us. We stopped at a bistro for a tasty lunch. Later, we saw a hat store and Kathy bought a stylish sun visor and Randy, our friend, a handsome “stetson.” Melisa, Randy’s wife, and I came up empty-handed. Later, Kathy and I headed back toward the hotel and Randy and Melisa decided to stroll the Mediterranean promenade. Our walk back took us by mounds of bird of paradise and bottlebrush in full bloom. In the early evening we regrouped and walked to a pizza house, known for having the “best pizza in France.” It was outstanding!

Nice is an elegant upscale city. Palm trees and exotic plants dot the landscape, and the architecture in pastel colors is stunning. Restaurants and outdoor cafes are abundant. On April 18, Randy and Melisa went on a tour of Monte Carlo (the mini state of Monaco) with its fabulous yacht harbor and expensive real estate and also to the mountain village of Eze, with beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast. Kathy and I spent our day at the Musée National Marc Chagall. This museum showcases the art of Marc Chagall, one of our favorite artists. His work is distinctive for its use of color and imagery filled with hidden meaning. His masterful works depicting the stories of the Old Testament of the Bible are/were enthralling. It was a grand time. We took a cab up the mile long hill on which the museum sat, but we walked back down to the hotel. At 7:30 PM we met Randy and Melisa at the hotel and went out for dinner. Randy wanted oysters and I wanted mussels and this restaurant obliged us both. This was also tactical as our wives do not prefer either, so we didn’t have to share :-)! We all agreed that Nice is a fabulous city and the French Riviera is all it is cracked up to be.