Family Time

​Mon-Sat, March 23-28, 2026 — Nice, France

Yeah! Meg’s family has finally arrived! On Monday morning, after sprucing up the apartment again, we surprised Clare and Marco at the airport. By 11:00 that evening, Meg’s oldest sister, Anne, and her hubby, Rick had also arrived.

Clare and Marco arrive 

Despite being given strict orders by her youngest brother, Bob and his wife Angie “to not have any fun” until they arrived, we did do our best to show them around Nice, our home away from home. After three weeks in Nice, we’ve become pretty accustomed to getting around — the promenade along the waterfront, Hotel Negresco, the old town, Massena plaza, the Chateau lookout — have all become part of our standard tour.  

Nice day in Nice
Sisters
Daily serving of gelato 

We learned much of the information about Nice from  our initial walking tour and subsequent coastal boat tour. We did our best to recollect this for Clare and Marco after their arrival. We now expect them to transmit this to Anne and Rick who will then have the final job of relaying it to Bob and Angie. I’m certain nothing will get lost in translation!

Boat tour
Old Villefranche 
Clare’s birthday pastry
Just a small bite to eat

With good weather forecast for most of the week we planned plenty of outdoor activities: Wednesday’s was a ride to the Matisse and archeological museums (the Roman’s built the city of “Cemenelum “ here 2000 years ago!) and a short ride along the coast towards Antibes. 

Rent bikes, will travel
Côte d’Azur
Follow the leader
Strolling through Place Massena

Once Bob and Angie arrived we really got busy. Thursday’s activity was a short but strenuous hike up the steep coastal cliffs from Eze-sur-Mer to Eze proper, some exploring of the old town… and, as always, a nice lunch.

Gaining elevation quickly
Eze, 1100 ft up. 

Friday was absolutely beautiful. We showed off our favorite ride to Bob and Angie, up to the tiny village of Peille and back. The lower part of the ride is a slog fest so Angie, who opted for an E-bike, soon learned that we weren’t responding to her chit chat because we were too busy breathing! Fortunately, the route becomes less steep as you go and there was no shortage of views.

Harder than it looks
A perfect day for riding
Col d’Eze
Almost there
Lunch: our reward 

Saturday involved taking the whole group out to Gorbio for a beautiful hike up and over the hill to Sainte Agnès and an indulgent lunch at the Saint Yves restaurant. We probably should have expected a crowd on Saturday, but with our 1:00 reservation, only a single waiter, and a completely packed outside deck, we eventually realized there was no way we’d be catching the 3:00 bus back to the coast. Oh well, nothing to do but order a couple more bottles of wine and enjoy the sunshine and view. It’s a tough life, but someone needs to do it!

Very little flat around Nice
Still smiling
Our goal: Sainte-Agnes
Anne and Bob
Angie and Rick
Clare and Marco
Me and Meg
View from the highest coastal town in Europe


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