Warning: this is a joint
blog between Josh and Nicole. Please enjoy the change in vernacular....
Nicole: Easter weekend was our first official trip away from home since we moved to Switzerland. We decided on Nice because it was initially a joint trip between us and our travel buddies (Mel and Mace). Unfortunately, the trip ended up being just the two of us. Let me set the scene for you: 7 hour drive with two one hour border crossings. In Europe, it’s like going into Mexico every three hours because the countries are so small.
Nicole: Easter weekend was our first official trip away from home since we moved to Switzerland. We decided on Nice because it was initially a joint trip between us and our travel buddies (Mel and Mace). Unfortunately, the trip ended up being just the two of us. Let me set the scene for you: 7 hour drive with two one hour border crossings. In Europe, it’s like going into Mexico every three hours because the countries are so small.
We arrive in Nice and
discover our bed and breakfast was actually a pretty nice hostel run by a slightly
crazy Scottish woman. Did I mention it
was between a train and below a freeway, across the street from a sex shop and pizzeria,
and blue light bridges (definition: blue light bridges are blue so drug addicts
can’t find their veins - welcome to Europe’s war on drugs, which is actually
working).
Josh: Nicole was a smidge too polite for my blood….she
failed to mention the shared bathroom and the super “I desperately want to be
your friends” roommates. You all know
the couple…. “hey all…we’re from Dallas…..what are you guys up to today?” Ughh…shoot me in the face! And moving on…Once in Nice/French Riviera and
over our unfortunate lodgings, we had an amazing time! In true Josh & Nicole fashion, we
dominated that city one bar at a time! I
can honestly say that this was the best eating vacation of my life. Every meal that was put into my mouth was a
pure delight! Please note the pics of me
stuffing my face with the seafood extravaganza.
We kept saying that it was basically like eating the ocean!
Nicole: By now, you are
probably wondering why the hell our blog is titled “Easter can be awesome – if you
go to Parexeco”. The unknown word in the
title, Parexeco, is blend of two of our favorite places – Paris and Mexico. Why you ask? Like Paris, the food is tantalizing,
the churches where authentic, old, and moving – but on every block. Like Mexico, anything goes and no one says
anything. In Josh’s words “ I don’t feel
immortal like I do in Mexico, but it’s close.” Nice also has the politeness of
Paris and the cleanliness of Mexico. Either
way – we loved it.
For those who are
looking for a trip recap, here it comes in 300 words or less…
Day 1: arrive, eat at
yum Italian (Lunna Rossa - get the
desert sampler)
Day 2: Drink wine and
eat seafood, and of course walk around old Nice. Don’t eat ice cream while the wind is blowing
– it makes for an awkward pant stain. Recommend seafood at Café Turin and recommend
the Chateux de Collines (Translation – castle hill, but there is not castle –
still awesome). For dinner: Bistro du
Fromage- don’t have cheese before – you will get your fill because everything
on the menu revolves around cheese (Dad – you can’t eat there).
Day 3: Visit St. Paul de
Vence (your GPS will screw you and say it doesn’t exist). Artsy and beautiful. Great place to buy little stuff (olive oil,
herbs, paintings, macaroons….). We liked
La Carusso for lunch. Before you leave
the area, Monte Carlo and Monaco is a
must. Granted we only stayed in Monte Carlo for 20 minutes before walking
up to Monaco. People, car, and yacht watching
is unbeatable. Just don’t let your husband
think that he will one day own a yacht.
The country takes about 1 hour to walk around and you will never ever
see a speck of dirt or garbage – little creepy. Drive the coast; it’s worth the
extra time. We did Eze , not a must after
St. Paul de Vence, but amazing views. We finished our trip in Nice for dinner
at Papayou – fusion Nicoise, Thai, and Morrocan. You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does,
and the wine is great and cheap.
Day 4: drive home early
to avoid border crossing lines (Yes – we do learn our lessons). Stop at random Italian restaurant to eat a 3
course meal plus a ½ liter of wine (which I drank because Josh had to drive.).
Pay 20 euros.
Josh: Awesome first European Vacation!!!...That being said...I better end this blog with a mention of the fact that: even though our lodgings were crappy…we can at least acknowledge that
we paid more for our dog sitter than we did for our so called “bed and
breakfast.” Oh Switzerland…you are so
central…but soooo expensive!
(Becs...this blog is especially for you...since you called me out in our scrabble match!)
(Becs...this blog is especially for you...since you called me out in our scrabble match!)
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