One of my favorite destinations is nested on the Mediterranean Coast of Southeastern France: also known as The French Riviera. It is a fine hybrid between authentic French coastal villages and modern luxury lifestyle. The beaches, the food, the lifestyle – it is everything you can dream of and more. I was so lucky to be there in one of the best times of the year: when the energy from the Cannes Film Festival and the preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix filled the Mediterranean breeze.
Monaco is a sovereign city-state surrounded by France on three sides and the Mediteranean Sea on it’s southern tip. I stayed at The Marriott Hotel and my room had stunning views at the Port of Cap d’Ail.
This was absolutely one of the best times to be in Monaco as the preparation for the Grand Prix was in full effect.
Monte Carlo is arguably the most glamorous part of Monaco. It is home to some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, fabulous beaches, and of course glorious gambling spots.
Have a glass of wine at Cafe du Paris and take in all the beauty around you.
The Monte Carlo Casino has been featured in multiple famous movies books and movies. Most notably: James Bond, Ocean’s Twelve, and Disney-Pixar’s animated film Cars!
I lost 20 Euro’s in just about 20 seconds.
The go-to-hot-spot is Nikki Beach at the Fairmont Monte Carlo – hosting one of the best pool parties I’ve been to thus far. And just look at the phenomenal panoramic views of Monaco !
Admittedly, as crystal clear and beautiful as the water looks – it was freezing !
The next morning I flew to Cannes.
The Cannes Film Festival created such an incredible energy in Cannes. Thousands of people flooded the streets in beautiful dresses and suits. Parties were on every block: the music was loud, celebrities were everywhere, and the vibes were perfect.
Baoli Cannes is one of my favorite places in the French Riviera. I enjoyed a glass of rose and enjoyed the warm breeze.
Parties during the Film Festival are absolutely off the hook !
We ran into Tyga at VIP Room!
The next morning my friends and I sailed to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat … a small peninsula between Nice and Monaco.
My good friend takes the crème de la crème pictures and aerial shots of, well, everything. Click the pics below to see more places we went to !
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is the crux of luxury in The French Riviera. With many secluded beaches, some of the world’s most expensive private estates, and five star hotels – this is the destination for many celebrities, artists, and business people from across the globe.
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, also known as The Rothschild Estate – is one of the most prominent pieces of real estate open to the public.
The flamingo colored villa is absolutely worth the visit.
Mrs. Rothschild had the world’s best landscape artists working on the intricate and, needless to say spacious, gardens surrounding the Villa. There are 9 themed gardens surrounding the property – each boasting its own beauty and natural environment. Every half hour, the fountains dance to Mozart’s famous pieces.
About 15 minutes East of Cap Ferrat is a small medieval village located about 1,400 feet above the Mediteranean Coast.
Eze is famously known for its panoramic view of the sea. And rightfully so. I had dinner at Chateau Eza, a Michelin Starred restaurant located in a 400 year old Chateau. It offers a pre-fixe lunch for either 52 or 62 Euro’s – a practical price for the exquisite dishes and incredible views. Definitely request a table near the window!
I’ve been to so many beautiful places in my life, but none quite like this. Tears filled my eyes as I took in the beauty around me – paired with a crisp rose and delicious food – I never felt luckier.
The Exotic Garden of Eze is a peaceful and colorful place to soak up some Mediteranean sun. Sculptor Jean-Philippe Richard created this oasis of sculptures and exotic plant-life with the stunning Mediterranean as a background prop. In Eze, you can also go to the Fragonard Perfumerie to see how perfume is done and even make your own !
The next day I went to Nice, the capital of The French Riviera. The train from Monaco to Nice is about 3 Euro’s and takes 15 minutes on the express, and about 20 minutes on the local line. You want to take the train to the Gare de Nice-Ville station. It is about a ten minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais – a 4KM promenade along the coast.
A glass of French wine in France ? What more can I ask for !
On to the next !
Overall important things to take away: The French Riviera is a pricey destination – to experience all of its glory, you definitely need a budget set up before hand. To travel amongst the cities in the Riviera, I used Freecab, the cheaper alternative to Uber. Cab’s, believe it or not, took up the bulk of my expenses so it was nice to save in that respect. Many low key restaurants had some of the best meals so it’s not necessary to splurge in high end restaurants. If you have any questions please email me at elona@https://www.elonatheexplorer.com =) or comment below !
Do you post your budget/cost for these trips?
I don’t typically break down everything cost by cost for every trip but I can surely consider doing so. If you follow me on instagram (@elonachka) – I typically tell people how much things cost and what I paid to get there / eat/ stay, etc