Sunrise at Sandals

Sunnies | Dress | Earrings {also here}

Handbag | Shoes | Cuffs

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A Weekend in Savannah

If I had to describe Savannah in three words, I’d have to say: charming, savory and picturesque. My sister and I recently decided to take our annual girls trip South for a taste of Southern Charm in the oldest city in Georgia. Both working full time, we were concerned about our time crunch – a Thursday evening to a Sunday evening – but we were pleasantly surprised to find that this was just the right amount of time needed to tackle the city.

Where to Stay: The Brice Hotel

With so much emphasis on travel to the South as of late, I feel like there was no shortage of properties to visit, let alone inspiring spots that were visually stunning. Unsure of which hotel best fit our needs, we turned to Booking.com for a reference of where to stay during our visit. An authority on accommodations, I often turn to Booking.com to book our stay in North America and Europe.

One of the features I love is the easygoing cancelation policy. Quite often, we’re planning our travel adventures up to one year out and our dates of travel can shift from one week to the next, so being able to cancel and rebook within Booking.com penalty-free makes for a reliable source when searching for accommodations.

I also love the variety of options they offer in terms of properties. Whether it’s a 5 star hotel, boutique hotel or even an apartment rental for a week – there really is something for everyone and any budget. After much debate, we decided to opt for a stay at the Kimpton Brice Hotel.

Once a Coca Cola factory, this refurbished space is a great boutique hotel for your stay in Savannah. Not only does it give off swoon-worthy vibes from its interior design, it packs a punch with services unlike any other.

Some of our favourite amenities included: free use of PUBLIC bikes, free wifi, cocktail hour from 5-6 everyday with apps, coffee served in the lobby each morning and one swanky pool deck out back. The staff were so incredibly kind and helpful in offering tips and suggestions for our itinerary as well as differ recommendations.

Getting Around
Aside from our Uber ride in and out of the city to get to the airport, we travelled most of the town by foot or on bike. We also jumped on a hop on/hop off trolley tour around the city to get a lay of the land. No surprise here but we learned a ton of about the history of the city and a sense of direction to figure out where our hotel was in relation to major sights we wanted to see.

The Parks

There are countless parks in the Savannah area and even smaller squares, which are so charming to walk through or enjoy from a bench. Washington Square, located right by our hotel, was one of my favourites to stroll through at night. A must do in the area is Forsyth Park which occupies 30 acres in the heart of the city (you can’t miss it!).

Jones Street

Voted as one of the most beautiful streets in all of America, I highly recommend parking the bike and walking up and down this street (on both sides) to take in all the architecture. Each porch and door setup was decorated differently and trust me – stoop-envy is a thing!

Hat | Cape | Jeans | Shoes | Bag: c/o GiGi New York

Riverwalk

We stopped by here at dusk one afternoon to soak up the sights of the river and all the boutiques lined up and down the street. After stocking up on some serious candy (there are candy shops all over town!), we made our way along the cobblestone streets and strolled along the river. It was so charming and peaceful! I wouldn’t recommend eating around the area but the sight is certainly worth a visit.

A stroll down Rainbow Row!

Where to Shop
The Paris Market: To say we were obsessed is an understatement. We must have stopped in here 2-3 times during our stay including a shoot in their bistro chairs. The café inside served up some great hot and cold drinks as well as sweet macarons. We stocked up on candles, bar accessories and Skeem matches for gifts and ourselves.

Chocolate by Adam Turoni: Not only was this chocolate shop brimming with décor ideas, but it served up some sweet treats in the form of truffles and much more. I picked up some cocoa nibs for our morning coffee.

Shop SCAD: A boutique filled with designs from SCAD students, we oo-ed and aw-ed over fun prints, unique jewelry and installation pieces.

One Fish, Two Fish: A boutique featuring all things Southern, this was the most charming shop we stopped into. From jewelry to candles to interior design services, there were too many items to distract us from sightseeing in Savannah!

Where to Eat: Lunch & Dinner
Pacci Restaurant: This gem was located in the Kimpton Brice Hotel and came recommended from local friends as well as the staff. Their Kale Ceaser was the bomb dot com and I highly recommend the pizza!

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room: This restaurant is truly an experience you MUST do! Anticipate a wait but the family style service serves up Southern fare including fried chicken, collard greens, sweet yams, biscuits and sweet tea. Don’t forget to bring your plate to the kitchen when you’re done!

Treylor Park: This casual spot does not sacrifice on taste. From the crab cake sliders to the Shrimp and Grit tacos, it was my favourite meal in all of Savannah!

Where to Eat: Brunch

Soho South Café: This was one of our last pit stops on Sunday morning before leaving and I’m so glad we made it! A ton of you recommended this spot for its chicken and waffles brunch and boy oh boy was it tasty. We ordered 3 different meals to split between the 2 of us since everything looked SO good!

The Collins Quarter: This brunch spot was a non-negotiable for us both. Their mimosa menu was next level (opt for the rose!) and the avocado smash toast was insane. If it’s a beautiful day, a seat outside is a must!

Where to Eat: Cafes & Drinks
Artillery: This hipster hot spot for drinks is the perfect place to wind down after a day of walking around town. I ordered my go-to, a French 75, and it did not disappoint.

Public Kitchen and Bar: Our final pit stop in Savannah, we stopped by for one last round of cocktails before jetting off to Toronto. The bartenders were awesome at pointing out which cocktails were worth a try or even suggested something custom best suited to your palette.

Mirabelle Café: Another Parisian inspired café, Mirabelle Café is the cutest coffee shop featuring pastries and more. Be sure to get a spot in the tufted bench by the window – by far the best seat in the house!

Blazer | Blouse | Jeans | Oxfords | Sunnies

Where to Eat: Sweet Treats

Leopold’s Ice Cream: This place isn’t hard to miss – there’ll be a line up down the street of patrons waiting for a scoop or two of this famous ice cream. Can’t make it while in town? A second location opened up in the airport so you can get a scoop before taking off!

Marche de Macarons: Be sure to stop by this boutique for sweet treats and bites!

On our list but didn’t make it: The Pink House (dinner), Back in the Day Bakery, Cotton & Rye (dinner), Tequila’s Town Mexican Restaurant (dinner), The Grey (dinner) and J. Christopher’s (brunch).

Dress | Heels | Similar Sunnies

Our girl’s trip was a total success after a weekend in Savannah. From the town’s rich history to savory meals, we loved every second of it and were so disappointed to be leaving. Whether you’re looking for a short weekend, a day trip from Charleston or making your back from Florida, I definitely recommend a visit or at least a pit stop in this town. I do suggest a stay in the Kimpton Brice Hotel, The Marshall House, The Desoto or The Cotton Sail Hotel. Find all of these spots and more on Booking.com for your stay in Savannah.

Goods and or services were exchanged for this post on behalf of Booking.com. Thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Travel Guide: The Italian Riviera

First off, I must apologize for the delay with my response in getting to this travel guide. It feels like life has been a complete whirlwind since our return from Europe but after sorting through notes and photos from our day trips, I’m finally thrilled to have put this together.

Our first stop in Italy kicked off in Santa Margherita Ligure with a second stop in Levante (near Cinque Terre) and wrapped in Lake Como. I’ve consolidated the Italian Riviera in this guide with Cinque Terre and Como coming next week.

Getting Around
We had rented a car in Marseilles and once the stay in our apartment was wrapped, we then continued along the coast to our next destination. To be honest, we found driving by car in Italy to be fairly straight forward with the help of the rental car’s GPS. The only struggle was having to accelerate from 0 to 130 on the highways after filling up for gas. Parking was quite easy to locate and as expected, pricier in cities such as Portofino or Como.

Lobby at Hotel Helvetia

Starting our drive in Nice, we didn’t want to rush the drive in Italy so we planned a pit stop along the way in a beach town called, Sestri Levante. We parked the car and wandered through the quiet streets, sipped wine and snacked on a charcuterie board at a local restaurant and then of course – topped it off with gelato. Far less touristy than most places we had seen, it was such a great introduction to Italy.

There is one hotel in particular I would highly recommend for drinks and apps around sunset called, Hotel Helvetia. Their Negroni was worth a second round and the views of Sestri Levante are unmatched. Had it not been 25-30 minutes away from Portofino, it would have been a contender for our stay in the region.

Watching the sunset in Boccadesse.

The most amazing sunset in Boccadasse.

Where to Stay

You’ll notice on a map that Ravello, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are all quite close to each other in terms of proximity. We found accommodations to be quite expensive in Portofino (or booked far in advance) so we decided to move our stay 10 minutes around the bend in Santa Margherita Ligure. We stayed at the Imperiale Palace Hotel for 3 nights and while pricier than we had hoped, was worth every last dollar.

We enjoyed the most scrumptious breakfast buffet every morning on the patio with unlimited mimosas, cappuccinos and a table for every food group known to mankind. The staff were so thoughtful trying to remember everyone’s name and coffee order so they could have it prepped the second you sat down. We also loved the fact that the property was situated on the water and had both lounge chairs by the sea but also a pool. The rooms were certainly on the smaller side (as expected in Italy) but the charm of the property and the grand features of the balcony, patio and more totally made up for it.

Would we stay in Santa Margherita Ligure again? We ended up loving the charm in our city and the fact that there were quiet streets you could wander in the evening. The restaurants were also far more reasonable than Portofino and less busy.

Who can say no to unlimited mimosas?

What To See

Portofino: If you aren’t staying in Portofino, then a day trip is a must. We walked the ‘red carpet’ which is a designated path that takes you from end of the town to the other and features the best views. You can also descend down into the port where you’ll find restaurants, gelato shops and some designer shopping. Alternatively, if you’re staying in Portofino then be sure to carve out an afternoon for wandering through Santa Margherita Ligure and to do some hotel stalking such as Grand Hotel Miramare.

If you dive, Christ of the Abyss is to be a sight like no other. The Castello Brown museum (a stop along the pathway) is also a must-see for great views of the town. The Portofino Lighthouse is another must-see for unparalleled views.

Boccadasse: A coastal town nearby, Boccadasse, also made for a fun drive one evening. The sunset views from this village are unreal and the candy-coloured buildings really pop in the evening. We couldn’t find any decent restaurants in the area that seemed worth staying the area for, but I do recommend an espresso while watching the sun set.

Santa Margherita Ligure: While most properties in the area likely feature a pool, there is a pubic beach front in Santa Margherita Ligure anyone can access. It never seemed overpopulated like in France so finding a chair wouldn’t be an issue. We didn’t have the time to make it but Villa Durante looked so picturesque and stunning in photos.

Sestri Levante: As mentioned above, if you can’t stop in this coastal town along the way, I do suggest spending an afternoon or day at the beach in this spot.

Where to Eat
Hotel Helvetia (Sestri Levante): Drinks and apps are a must here!

Caciosteria Umbra E (Sestri Levante): We split a charcuterie board here in the afternoon over Negroni and it was the perfect setting!

Ristorante Lo Stella (Portofino): We dined here for dinner one night seaside and it certainly made for a romantic setting. Despite all the raves and reviews however, we found the food to be so-so and overpriced for what we received. It certainly felt like a tourist spot more than anything else.

Al Faro di Portofino Bar (Portofino): That red path I was speaking about earlier? Follow it all the way around the top of Portofino and you’ll find yourself at Al Faro bar. Highly recommend for some insane views of the harbour and the sea.

La Tarrazza Restaurant (Portofino): I feel like this should almost be classified under ‘What to Do’ since eating here is almost an experience in itself. You’re likely to come across the Hotel Belmond Splendido if you’re searching hotels or restaurants in Portofino. The hotel itself is known as one of the most expensive properties in Europe and often a hot-spot for celeb spottings. We dined at La Tarrazza for an anniversary lunch and I would highly recommend. Nothing is more disappointing than an upscale restaurant where the food quality doesn’t match the pricing, but this was not the case. From the service to the food and the wine options –we were thoroughly impressed. I do recommend making a reservation far in advance and requesting a table along the balcony for the best views of the harbor.

Reve Café (Santa Margherita Ligure): This café is tucked away in the smallest corner of town and is super easy to miss but I highly recommend keeping an eye out for it. The pasta was so tasty and the shabby chic décor inside is definitely Instagram-worthy!

Angelo 48 (Santa Margherita Ligure): A romantic and quiet setting for a fabulous meal. A little overpriced for the area – but definitely worth it.

Lunch at La Tarrazza.

Luxury in Portofino

If you follow along on Instagram, you may have noticed that Adam and I took a bucket list trip through Europe this past summer visiting the French and Italian Riviera. While the French Riviera was certainly a dream (read my travel guide here), I couldn’t help but be excited to move onto the second part of our journey: Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.

Opting to save any anniversary celebrations till we arrived in Europe, we decided to splurge on our accommodations on our first stop in Italy: Santa Margherita Ligure. This town may not sound familiar to you but if you look it up on a map, it’s actually an 8-10 minute drive from Portofino and where you can find most hotels or B&B’s in the surrounding area. Looking for assurance this was the place to be, I hit up the American Express Platinum Card Travel Service Team (since they’re on speed dial) for their suggestions in the area. Within 24 hours I had an email in my inbox suggesting various nearby properties as well as restaurant and gelato must-do’s!

Where to Stay
With 3 days to spare in the area and knowing we wanted to enjoy some R&R seaside, we opted for a stay at the Imperiale Palace Hotel. The property overlooks crystal blue waters in Portofino Bay and has an old-world charm to the grounds like no other. The ‘ah-ha’ moment of this property has to be the stroll down to the bay (pack your flip flops in your bag for this climb) where you’re greeted with a pool on one level, a restaurant on another and then those classic tangerine and white perched umbrellas and chairs – like every perfectly snapped pic on Pinterest.

I think my favourite part of the entire experience of this property had to have been the breakfast service. Served buffet style, you could enjoy a cappuccino on the terrace every morning and the spread was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I’m talking unlimited mimosas, a cheese table, pastry setup, fresh cooked eggs (however you like), fresh fruit, a cold cuts table and that was just the left side. I’ve never had a breakfast spread quite like this!

What To See
I recommend touring the Pagana walk, which can take you from Rapallo to Portofino. An actual red carpet, you’ll tour the best sights and be taken along all the Instagram worthy gems along the way!

The harbour of Portofino is much smaller than you’d expect so I would say it’s safe to assume 1 day is more than enough time to spend in the area. To be honest, we preferred strolling through the marina of Santa Margherita Ligure and getting lost in the back streets picking up fresh bread, cheese, cold cuts and cannoli’s for snacking seaside.

If your property doesn’t have waterfront access and you’re looking to change things up, consider visiting Sestri Levante for a quaint beach town. Drinks are a must at Hotel Helvetia!

We opted out of dessert knowing we’d be consuming carbs in ohhhh about another two hours but a sweet treat was knowing that our anniversary meal – which we used our American Express Platinum Card to pay for– was another means to earn points. Whether it’s your hotel stay, that special dinner or even pre-booked excursions, I love knowing that we can earn points on our vacations to use towards another dream destination (cough cough Dubai if you’re reading this Adam!) with our Platinum Card.

Where to Eat
In celebration of our anniversary – and on the recommendation of our friends at American Express, we booked reservations at La Terrazza on the Belmond Splendido Mare property. You’ve likely seen this spot featured more than once in magazines, Instagram travel guides and more – it’s one of the dreamiest hotels and restaurant views I’ve ever seen.
From the bread service to the best burrata of my life and pesto pasta that melted in your mouth – it was an experience like no other. The service, food and wine list was everything we had anticipated and I couldn’t think of a better way to ring in our 9th anniversary than with the dreamiest views of Portofino Bay and with a table of carbs in front of us!

And don’t forget that the Card comes with another sweet treat: a $200 annual travel credit you can use for any travel purchase charged to your Platinum Card through Platinum Card Travel. With a bonus like that, it can often help in deciding between that great or must-do hotel you’ve been eyeing at your next destination.

Other restaurants we dined at in the area and loved, were: Ristorante Stella, Winterose Wine Bar and Reve Café Restaurant (a must do!).

Stay tuned for the rest of our Italian itinerary coming shortly!

This post was sponsored by Amex Bank of Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.

Travel Guide: Aix & French Riviera

You know those kinds of vacations you’ve thought about, pinned a thousand times, bought the guide books but just never pushed yourself to go? That basically summed up my thoughts on the trip I had always wanted to take through the French and Italian Riviera. I’ve had my eye set on these sights for years but life, other opportunities and feeling unsure of how to tackle the adventure always left me stumped.

I’m thrilled to be putting our travel guide together for our trip and hope to offer some advice for anyone else curious to pay a visit. I’ll be breaking it up into two parts: France and Italy to save you a novel on our experience.

Getting There
While there is a small airport located in Nice, the most economical options of getting into the heart of the Cote d’Azur from Toronto seemed to be flying into Marseille and making our way across the country. We also wanted to explore Aix for a few days and this was our best bet for making our way from one destination to the other.

Getting Around
We rented a car for the entire duration of our stay and I couldn’t imagine navigating this vacation without one. I have heard that the train schedules are reliable and accommodating in terms of options, but we felt that a car rental was our best bet since we would be packing up and moving along the coast a few times. Do anticipate a wait getting your car rental sorted at the Marseille airport – service was slow and there seemed to be mass confusion sorting out everyone’s paper work. I actually found a great deal on our car rental by booking through the RyanAir website rather than your go-to booking websites.

Tip: We were advised that an International Driver’s License was recommended for Italy (and France) but in hindsight, this likely wasn’t necessary so save yourself the $45. Do be sure to keep loose change on hand as there are various tolls on the highways. Some check points will accept credit cards but coins were easiest to manage.

Where to Stay

Similar Pjs

We decided that Nice served as the perfect home base for our trip. Knowing we wanted the option to visit local markets or even a grocery store, we felt an apartment rental would be best suited to the 8 nights we had planned. I found our apartment – Pastorelli – from an apartment rental website, Nice Pebbles.

This is the first time we’ve rented an apartment in Europe and I must say, I think I’m a changed woman. Having the luxury of our own kitchen, laundry, a private balcony and elevator to ourselves – it was just what we needed for a relaxing vacation. We were situated in the Old Town of Nice so anticipate an 8-10 minute walk to the beach but we found supermarket pricing to be more reasonable and our preference of restaurants was in the Old Town rather than close to the Promenade des Anglais. Parking was very reasonable on our street (1 EUR an hour from 8am-8pm) and only on 1-2 nights did we have to circle our block a few times to find a spot.

Hair Bow | Pearl Tee | Sunglasses

Day 1: Aix, Provence

Located about 45 minutes from the Marseilles airport, I highly recommend a stay here for a night or two if you’re interested in getting a taste of Provence.

Hat | Dress | Shoes

We stayed at the Chateau de la Pioline for a night’s stay while exploring the area. It may appear to lack charm because of its proximity to the commercial area of the city but beyond the gates, it’s a charming chateau and the grounds are absolutely stunning.

We were about a 10 minute drive from the city center and found parking to be easier than anticipated. We spent our Saturday strolling around village stopping for lunch at Bunny’s for a quick bite. For supper, we dined at Le Zinc d’Hugo which featured an impressive wine list and cozy eats.

Day 2: Aix, Provence
We spent our Sunday morning perusing the local market (Place Richelme)– a must do in the area! We picked up a baguette, cheese, fresh fruit and a few other nibbles as we had a drive ahead of us for the afternoon. The fresh flower market is also an Instagram worthy sight!

When planning the trip, I couldn’t help but notice that our drive from Aix to Nice was parallel with the wine country in Provence including my favourite – Chateau d’Esclans (home of Whispering Angel and Rock Angel). We booked a complimentary tour and tasting and I highly recommend! If you have time, other wineries recommend in the area was Domaine du Jas and Domaine des Grand Esclans. Despite being closed when we arrived, lunch was recommended by the staff from the winery at La Maurette down the road. We stopped in and it certainly looked charming and filled with locals.

Blazer | Tee | Jeans | Sunglasses

Arriving in Nice a little tired, we visited the local market (one street behind the Promenade des Anglais) for some refrigerator essentials, strolled the Promenade at sunset and picked up wine and cheese at our local grocery store for the week ahead.

For supper, we dined at La P’tite Cocotte. The food was great but the service was quite slow – even for restaurants in France ;) Do expect a slower restaurant experience than in North America but know it’s for the best so you can enjoy each course, your wine and soak up the people watching! We also suggest making reservations at least 2-3 nights in advance to ensure you get a table.

Day 3: Nice, France
We spent our first full day in the French Riviera in Nice as we were a little tired from the drive and looking to soak up our local sights. We grabbed fresh croissants from J. Multari bakery and headed to the beach for a day in the sun. We typically packed our own lunch for the day or would grab fresh sandwiches from Boulangerie Blanc and then visit a local convenience store for bottled water, wine or beers.

Dress | Sunglasses | Necklace

I do suggest spending a day strolling around the area. Start at Place Messena and walk your way up to Promenade des Anglais to get yourself familiar with the area. I then suggest making your way up to Castle Hill for sweeping views of the city – particularly before sunset! To be honest, our favourite part was getting lost in Old Town for an evening stroll. Expect to get lost in the winding roads but it makes for a fun experience!

While there is a small patch of sand on the main beach in Nice, expect pebbles. While I’m not a fan of water shoes, comfy espadrilles seemed to do the trick. Our apartment came with beach chairs and towels so we hung out with the locals but expect to pay around 40-60 EUR for 2 chars at the beach.

Sweater | Sunglasses | Shoes | Clutch

Looking to change things up cuisine wise, we dined at Acchiardo (Mediterranean inspired fare) for the evening. There were still local influences including chickpea-flour pancakes but their pasta dishes were delightful. The price was also VERY reasonable compared to many other local restaurants – highly recommend. Following dinner, we strolled around town and grabbed gelato at the famous Fennochio’s – another must do!

Day 4 – St. Tropez, France
We had knew the drive to St. Tropez from Nice would be our farthest destination as far as day trips so we opted to do this sooner than later. We left around 8:30 AM to beat the traffic rush and didn’t arrive until 11:30 AM. With only 1 road going in and out of the city, anticipate delays. We looked into ferry and train options as well but driving the car was still our best and most economical option.

You must, must, must dine at the Dior café, Dior Des Lices, in St. Tropez for a fashionable experience like no other. Expect higher fares on your bill but the meal size and the food lived up the expectation one would hope. And at the end of your meal, a cappuccino is necessary for some Instagram worthy coffee art. Do book reservations 2-3 weeks in advance to be safe!

What we didn’t know was that the beach of St. Tropez and the shops/marina/restaurant of the city are in 2 very different areas. Having spent 3 hours in the car, we decided that strolling the city for the day would suffice. If you do opt for the beach, Club 55 is the place to see and be seen.

We stopped into boutiques including Les Senteurs Tropezienne for candles, perused the boats in the port, enjoyed sunset cocktails at Restaurant L’Escale and sweet treats at L’aduree. We made dinner reservations on a whim to Restaurant Le G’envie. Our meal was in our opinion, one of top meals we had on our entire trip.

Dress | Bag | Sandals

For sunset drinks, also consider Senequier for its people watching. Bakeries worth noting were La Tarte Tropezienne and Grand Marnier Creperie. Another restaurant on our list, but we never made it, was Clandestino.

Day 5 – VilleFranche-sur-Mer and Saint Jean Cap-Ferrat
Looking for a city closer to our apartment, we decided that VilleFranche-sur-Mer would be an ideal destination being only 20 minutes away. If you are driving, be sure to take the scenic route that runs along the water for some insane views. The town of VilleFranche is incredibly charming, colourful and had some of the bluest waters we’d seen along the coast. We will most certainly be coming back to this town when we return – it was one of our favourites!

Dress | Sandals | Hat: c/o Eric Javits

After exploring the city for a few hours, we decided to set up camp on the beach and enjoyed fresh sandwiches from a local shop (The Good Mood Cafe). There were also plenty of restaurants with patio dining on the waterfront nearby with great seafood and salad options like La Mere Germaine. If a cruise is in port that day, expect a busier crowd but otherwise; the area is quite calm and quiet compared to others.

Around 3PM, we decided to head into Saint Jean Cap-Ferrat and visit the Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild. A pink palace surrounded by lush gardens, this is a must-do! The water fountain show is featured every 20 minutes and is definitely worth a viewing.

We dined at La Cuisine that evening in VilleFranche and the meal was superb. With the menu changing daily, it’s hard to suggest a dish but do try to get a seat outside for the people watching!

Coverup | Hat

Day 6 – CannesA little foggy and overcast, we figured our day in Cannes would be more of a sightseeing day and our excuse to shop. With any and every designer you can think of spanning the main promenade, it almost feels like a crime not to! I will be honest, I had higher expectations for the town and perhaps it was the weather but it just lacked the charm we seemed to feel from the other cities we had visited. I do recommend the area if you’re looking for a shopping day, people watching along Boulevard de la Croisette and great meals but by 3-4PM, we were more than happy to head back to Nice and spend ‘apero’ (happy hour) on our balcony with a 4 EUR bottle of rose, cheese and a fresh baguette.

We did manage to squeeze in a lunch in Cannes at L’epicurieux for some great salads and a side order of frites. For dinner that evening (back in Nice), we scored a table at Les Garcons and I would HIGHLY recommend a visit here. Their burger was to die for as well as the duck!

Day 7 – Monaco and Menton A must-see for Adam on this trip was a visit to Monaco (cough cough James Bond fan). With the drive being about 25 minutes away from Nice it was another perfect day trip. I can’t seem to locate the official name of the highway, but try to avoid the inland route and opt for the scenic drive along the water that will take you through VilleFranche once again (and prepare for few stops along the way for photos!). I do recommend a coffee break in the café located in the Monte Carlo casino – the setting is adorable. Friends recommended lunch at Cafe de Paris but to be honest, the prices seemed a tad astronomical for a small salad or even a sandwich so opted out. Must-do spots for cocktails are Bar Americain and The Crystal Bar.

The people watching is worth the price tag however, I wouldn’t anticipate spending more than half a day in Monaco (unless you plan on visiting and playing in the casino) so I would recommend tacking on another nearby city to see.

After visiting the casino, strolling the square and the Palace, we decided to make our way over Menton for the afternoon. We found this to be more our pace and much more charming. Plan for a dip in the water – its crystal blue and not as busy as some of the other beaches we had visited. Following that, be sure to head into town for a lemonade, olive oil tasting or even pick up a wicker basket!

That night, we dined at Les Garcons in VilleFranche (different restaurant, same name!) on our drive back home. We both agree this may have been our favourite meal throughout our entire trip. The al fresco setting is stunning, wine list was great, meal was amazing and if they have it – order the caramelized marshmallow dessert!

Day 8 – Antibes

I think it’s possible that we saved the best for last when it came to Antibes. Aside from locating Hotel du Cap and Billionaire’s Row, I couldn’t seem to find much else on the area of interest but was curious to see the town.

Upon arriving, we strolled through the marina (worth a visit!), located the cutest café – Café Clemenceau – and casually perused through some of the local boutiques. I actually did most of my shopping in Antibes finding great tapenades, sea salt, straw bags and woven sandals. At the end of a street, we turned the corner to find their bustling market on a Saturday morning. We picked up fresh strawberries, cheese, honey and more. Out of all the markets we had visited, I think this one had to have been my favourite.

With a few hours to spare, we headed to the beach (Plage de la Gravette) and soaked up the sun. A nearby pizza shop, Gusto Antibes, had great slices to go and the price was quite reasonable. Around 5PM we strolled around the marina one last time and headed back home.

I know, I know we missed out on Hotel Du Cap but after reading that 2 chairs by the pool would run us about 80 EUR+ (don’t quote me on that price), we figured we’d be just as content sitting on the beach and getting to experience the town the way locals would. This is a city we will definitely be back to see.

Dress | Shoes | Bag

Growing tired of uber rich foods, we opted for dinner at La Rossettisserie in Nice that evening for an amazing experience. At around 15 EUR per person, we each got a half chicken, grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes that rocked our world. Be sure to ask for a table underground in the cave!

Day 9 – Nice, France
For our last day in the area, we figured it was best spend in Nice to relax before our next destination. Sunday is the flower market day in town so we grabbed a coffee and hit the market. We splurged and spent the day at Ruhl Plage on the Promenade. I highly recommend getting up early and watching the sunrise from this spot – it’s also the best time to get that quintessential shot of the blue and white umbrellas perfectly set up before the crowds take over. Lunch is delightful at this spot but also consider a Sunday morning brunch for only 15EUR per person.

For our last meal, we dined at Olive et Artichaut. Erring on the rustic side of French Food, the scene was quaint and the food was amazing. It was the perfect sendoff from our amazing stay in the area.

SO….will we be going back? Absolutely. In fact, we’ve even been trying to solicit friends to rent the same apartment next year so we can share our experience with others. From the people to the food and culture, it was definitely a memorable trip that lived up to the hype.

Restaurants we missed out on Nice but you must visit: Chez Palmyre, Oliviera and Comptoir Des Marches, Citrus and La Roustide.

Pastels in Portofino

Dress | Cardigan {Old, similar}

Sunglasses | Bangles

The perfect dress for a day of exploring in Portofino! More to come in our travel guide but we’re off to Cinque Terre today :)

Exploring in Antibes

Dress {also here and here}| Hat | Swimsuit

Bag | Bracelet | Shoes {Old, similar} | Sunnies {Old, similar}

We waited until the end of our stay to spend the day in Antibes and I must say: it was an absolute dream. The city had such charm to it and felt more quiet than other places we had visited. The cobblestone streets had scalloped paintings on them which made for the perfect photo opportunity and little boutiques tucked within the city had the most charming shop keepers. We stocked up on straw baskets, various salt types for cooking and spices. From there, we headed down to the local beach and enjoyed fresh fruit and sandwiches from the market and a bottle of rose!

I wore this dress for a day exploring. This brand has become one of my favourite beachwear brands as the fabric is light, flowy and the price point is great. The dress also packs perfect and after being rolled up in your suitcase for 24 hours, rolls out and can be worn instantly – a dream considering I broke my steamer on day 1 of this trip! They make for the perfect chic coverup :)

A Day in St. Tropez

Dress: Shopbop {love the alternative colour on this for fall} | Hat: c/o Eric Javits

Sunglasses: Quay | Bag: YSL {Designer Dupe}

Sandals: Valentino | Bracelets: c/o Julie Vos

Cardholder: Miu Miu

Being our first visit to the French Riviera, we knew we wanted to make a stop in St. Tropez for the day. After an almost 3 hour drive (it should have been just under 2) we were hangry, stir crazy and just wanting to get out of the car so we bolted to our first stop: lunch at the Dior Des Lices cafe. A little pricer than most lunch spots but on par with other restaurants in the city, we had an amazing meal that was one of our favourites to date. After that, we strolled the village and walked along the pier gazing at all of the insane yachts casually parked for the day.

Stay tuned for our take on the Riviera including where we stayed, ate and our itinerary!

Pre Fall in France

Hat: c/o Eric Javits | Dress: c/o Ann Taylor | Sunglasses: Quay

Necklace: c/o Julie Vos | Bag: Louis Vuitton {Designer Dupe here and here}

Shoes: Target {Similar} | Bracelets: c/o Julie Vos

We got up bright and early to snap these pics in Place Massena before the crowds. The pastel buildings in Nice are almost too much to handle. I feel like every time I think I’m done snapping photos for the day and get my camera lens on, I turn a new street and voila: a new colour combo to shoot! This Ann Taylor dress was the perfect companion to roaming the streets: it’s chic, a fun colour pattern and the ruffle detailing is perfect!