Racin' in Nice

Nice, France was a little of a breather, considering the pace we have been travelin'. No wake-up call, no hurried breakfast, no herding onto the bus...just a slower day.  We slept in and after a relaxed breakfast the boys walked down the the Mediterranean and made their way down the promenade.

Mr. Fox taking in the view from St. Paul de Vence

After a nice lunch on the hotel's roof cafe, we all loaded onto the bus for a nice ride to St. Paul de Vence.  St. Paul de Vence is a medieval walled village that has a wonderful view of the Med.  The village is famous because a lot of famous artists lived and worked here.  Today, this small village is home to artists and shops and is a pretty cool place to just wander around.

We spent about an hour and a half in St. Paul de Vence before heading back to the bus.  On the way to the bus, the boys witnessed a Bocce ball game that erupted into shouting...they take their bocce ball very seriously in small French villages!

Re-boarding the bus, we were on our way to the other side of Nice.  A nice bus ride through the heart of the city and up into the mountains (pre-Alps) that overlook the entire Nice valley and harbor.  We were on our way to the small village of Eze, famous for perfume.  The ride was absolutely spectacular.  Climbing to over 1500 feet above the Mediterranean the views of the boats, harbors, and houses of the rich and famous was dazzling (we saw Bono's house and private island).  We arrived in Eze where most of the group toured a perfume factory.  The boys and I decided to forgo the smelly escapade and hiked a little way down the mountain.

Following the tour, it was time for dinner in Eze at a small french restaurant. The waiter was an older man that liked messing with the patrons.  Of course, Michael and Anthony had a field day with this one, cutting up, making comments (as only they can do), and generally causing mischief.  In addition to the waiter, we were serenaded by an even older man playing the accordion.  For some reason, he kept coming up behind Lisa and shouting the words into her ear!  All in all, a pretty entertaining evening.

Does this need a caption?

During dinner, our tour guide had arranged a local entrepreneur that has a Ferrari driving experience business to meet us at the restaurant.  Several of the group took rides in the Ferrari, but 2 of us got the chance to drive!  I got a chance at the wheel, driving around the hairpin turns on a road 1500 feet on the cliffs above the Med!  It was pretty cool, however, he would not let me go too fast (he spent most of the time making me slow down), and he would not really let me take the corners (he kept making me drive in the middle of the road).  Anyway, it was a great experience and a lot of fun!!

Following dinner, we all loaded back on the bus for the drive back to the hotel on the lower (still windy) road with more beautiful views of the coastline (and rich people's boats).