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What to See on Parc du Mont Boron {Afternoon Hike to Fort du Mont Alban}

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What to See Fort du Mont Alban

Want to know how out of shape you are? Hike up to Fort du Mont Alban.  Your muscles will be screaming at you for days.  Literally, mine were sore four days.

We ventured up to Mont Boron to experience the spectacular views & learn a little about French history. It was a pleasant 55 degrees F, and the hot French Riviera sun was somewhat tamed by the gentle sea breeze coming off the Mediterranean.

clifs Nice France

First up, one my favorite spots in Nice. Across from the Jardin Public Vigier (park) are steps leading down the cliffs where land meets sea. I could sit for hours watching the waves crash against the sun-baked rocks.   Here, sun worshipers and swimmers (brrr!) soaked up the afternoon rays in bikinis and Speedo’s. Not used to seeing sunbathers in January, I was taken aback by the number of people who had shed their clothes in what I considered temperatures to cool for getting a tan.

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40 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris – What First Timers Need to Know

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Paris, the City of Lights, is the European capital many Americans dream about one day visiting. Imagine taking strolls along the River Seine, visiting world-famous landmarks and museums and eating buttery croissants at an outdoor cafe.    Having lived in France for almost 4 years, we’ve learned a few things about French culture and its citizens.  Before you set out on your fantasy trip, take a look at our tips for things to know before visiting Paris.

Learn Basic French

Learning basic French will go a long way to making your trip successful.  When visiting a new country, it’s important to learn at least a few basic words and phrases in the local language.  Yes, many people in the touristy areas speak English, but you shouldn’t arrive without being able to greet someone in their native tongue.

Should Know:

Good Day = Bonjour /bon zor/
Good Evening = Bonsoir /bon swah/
Good Bye = Au Revoir /oh-ruh-vwah/
Please = S’il vous plaît /see voo play/
Thank you = Merci /mer-sea/
Excuse me & sorry = pardon /pahr-doah/
You’re Welcome = De rien /duh-rhee-uh/
Ma’am = Madame /mah-dahm/
Sir = Monsieur /mis-eeyuh/
Yes = Oui /we/
No = Non /no/

Good to know:

Take away (as in your food to go) = á importer /ah ahm-por-tay/
Do You Speak English? = Parlez-vous anglais? /par-lay voo an-glay/
I don’t understand. = Je ne comprends pas. /juh nuh com-pren pah/
Where Is the Bathroom? = Où sont les toilettes? /ehw ay lay twah-let/

When entering an establishment such as a shop or restaurant, it is always polite to say “Bonjour” in greeting. It is also polite to say “Au revoir” when leaving. Of course, the use of “S’il vous plaît” and “Merci” are important just as in the U.S. and other countries.

Learning the numbers 1 – 10 will also be beneficial.

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Daytrip from Nice: An Afternoon in The Roman City of Cimiez

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A trip to Cimiez is a great way to spend an afternoon if you have some extra time during your next trip to Nice, France. The charming neighborhood of Cimiez is home to the Roman settlement of Cemenelum built during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.  You also get a lovely aerial view of Nice city.

There are numerous attractions in Cimiez to occupy several hours.  Take a stroll through the olive-filled park, visit the Cimiez Monastery and church which is home to the Franciscan monks, tour the gardens surrounding the Monastery,  view the art collection at the Matisse Museum, and enjoy the history of the Roman amphitheater and archaeology museum.

 

Franciscan Monastery, Museum & Italian-inspired gardens – The monastery and church have been used by the Franciscan monks since the 1500’s!  The monks still live and work here today.  You may see them tending the gardens during your visit. The small Franciscan museum showcases the daily life of a monk and houses drawings and exhibits.  Plus it’s free to enter.

The gardens are mostly preserved in their original layout and include colorful flower beds, lemon and orange trees, herb gardens and climbing roses.

Olive Groves – The 200-year old olive trees are a great spot for a picnic or to let the kids run around and play.

Musée Matisse – The Matisse Museum houses the largest collection of art by the French painter Henri Matisse.   Visitors can admire his paintings and drawings as well as see furnishings, curtains and vases belonging to Matisse.

Tickets:
Adults (24 hour museum pass) = 10€
Children under 18 = Free

 

Musée d’Archéologie site de Cimiez et de Terra Amata – View objects from the life of Cemenelum including the excavated baths.   The site includes locker rooms (men and women shared the same locker room), toilets, swimming pools, hot and cold baths, a political bath (where men discussed politics), market, cemetery, cathedral and more.

Tickets:
Adults (24 hour museum pass) = 10€
Children under 18 = Free

 

Roman Amphitheater – Cimiez is home to one of the smaller Roman amphitheaters holding 5,000 spectators.   Walk the arena for free.

Signs to guide you to Cimiez if taking the tram

Signs to guide you to Cimiez if taking the tram

How to get to Cimiez:

1. One option to get a bit of a workout is to take the tram to Jean Médecin then walk up to Cimiez.  It’s a hike, but you’ll get to walk through a different part of Nice.  I don’t recommend this option with little kids as there are a lot of stairs.

2. Take bus 17 or 15 to visit the Monastery and Matisse Museum.  If you want to visit the Chagall Museum first, take bus 15.

Have you been to Cimiez?  What was your favorite part? 

Need more inspiration?  See our Ultimate Guide to travel in Nice.

8 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains with Kids & Teens

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The Great Smoky Mountains is a heaven on earth for those who love to explore serene nature and majestic highlands. Being abundant in tall green trees, exciting hiking trails, fast-flowing rivers, and tranquil lakes, the Smoky Mountains have everything an outdoor lover needs. The spellbound mist of wildflowers and the diversity of wildlife make you forget the hustle and bustle of life and bring you closer to Mother Nature.

With over 14 million tourists each year, the Smoky Mountains and its iconic towns, such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, are among the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s radiating natural beauty and appealing tourist attractions never cease to astonish tourists in all seasons. While you don’t want to miss out on a single spot during your vacations, it can be difficult to explore the vastness of the Great Smoky Mountain during a single visit. To get the most out of your limited vacation time, here are eight things you must do on your visit to the Smoky Mountains:

1.  Soak in the Views from Inside the Cabins

You can’t revel in the mesmerizing beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains more than sitting inside the traditional cabins and enjoying the scenic views while sipping a hot cup of cocoa. A cabin is a perfect spot to stay and soak up the splendor of nature with its classic, quaint appearance, contemporary amenities, and the tranquility and charisma of the Smoky Mountain area.

While numerous types of cabins and locations are available across the Great Smoky Mountains region, you can find the most fascinating views in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. When looking for large cabins for bigger groups, you can try some of the most popular rentals, like timbertops Cabin Rental. These cabins will provide you with the most fascinating views of the Smoky Mountain range while enjoying a comfortable sitting area on the back porch. These cabins come with a luxurious interior, attached kitchen, hot bath, home theater, and game room to make the trip jam-packed with fun and excitement for people of all ages.

2.  Practice Some Shots at the Golf Course

Spring and summer is the perfect time to hit some shots at the famous golf clubs in the Great Smoky Mountain area. You can practice shots at the Bent Creek Golf Course, Laurel Valley Golf Course, or Gatlinburg Golf Course on a warm sunny day while admiring the captivating views of surrounding mountains and green fields.

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9 Enchanting Vienna Christmas Markets

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When I think of European Christmas Markets, the glittering city of Vienna locale has always been on the top of the list. Hearing travelers stories and seeing pictures on social media has always made me want to spend Christmas  in Vienna. We finally made the dream a reality and spent 5 amazing days in Vienna last year – which sounds strange to say, as it was only 3 weeks ago!   Starting mid-November, Vienna’s squares transform into charming Christmas markets. Throughout the city you’ll find 22 markets with over 1,000 stalls. Now, that is a lot of holiday spirit!

Adding to our enchanting experience was the white powder that blanketed the city not long after our arrival. The city was ablaze with Christmas lights that danced off the snow covered streets. With that magic backdrop, visitors can’t help but see, taste, smell and feel the holidays approaching!

Christmas Market Vienna Features:

 

 

Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall

The biggest Christmas Market in Vienna was located at City Hall. The market contained 150 colorful stalls with handmade goods, gifts, food, mulled wine and the largest skating rink we had ever seen- 4,500m² (4848 sq ft) . It was  huge, wrapping around the trees and stretching seemingly on forever. And a great feature for kids was the workshop set up in the Great Hall with free arts and crafts activities.

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