A family guide to the South of France

Enjoying ice-cream in Antibes  The French Riviera is one of those places that is just perfect for those looking to get away to warmer climates, take in the stylish and laid back Riveria culture, French food and of course stunning beaches. There is also a wonderful combination of countryside and city adventures from small hilltop villages to explore to the designer shops in Cannes, it has it all. It's also a place that makes for a fantastic family break and it's somewhere I keep going back too. I was lucky enough to live and work in Nice for a few months before having children and on my days off I often headed further afield to Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, St Paul De Vence and Eze Village so it made sense look at a holiday in France with the kids and share this breath-taking coastline with them. For my 30th birthday two years ago I decided that I wanted to spend this milestone birthday on the Riviera and we opted for a stay in a James  Villa in Valbonn......

Read more »

Swimming in the sea and eating street food in Antibes

So if you read the blog you will know we had a fantastic trip last month to Paris and the South of France, staying in a stunning James Villa near Cannes which was a perfect base for explore the French Riviera. There is so much to see and do along the coast line and we had heard of a wonderful public beach right next to the old town in Antibes and though it would be the perfect place to go swimming in the sea, as well as trying out some yummy street food. The first stop we made before heading to the beach was at the popular Gelateria Del Ponto where they had a huge array of ice-cream flavours and choices and shaped the ice-cream into flowers, Mr A loved it and it seemed only appropriate with spending the day by the seaside. After that we headed to the beach, which lies just behind the old city walls for a few hours, enjoying the warmth and the sunshine. Now we had a beautiful pool at the Villa but I have to admit I love swimming in the sea, it's one of m......

Read more »

Our holiday on the French Riviera with James Villas

Before I had Mr A I spent a season working in Nice in the South of France and ever since then I have always wanted to return with the family in tow and show them what a beautiful part of the world it is, as well as explore more of the wonderful French Riviera, so what a better time than over my 30th birthday. We have all been feeling somewhat sun-starved of late and this week-long break in September to a warmer climate was just what we all needed, in fact I think it's been the longest Mr A has had spent in shorts and a t-shirt, which was really lovely to see. Since having Mr A our preferences when it comes to travelling have obviously changed and we much prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation these days as it's so much more accommodating when it comes to families so we were over the moon to be able to stay in such a beautiful Villa from James Villas  and with the easy driving distance to both Cannes and Nice as well as literally minutes away from the beautiful vill......

Read more »

Packing for a train trip to France

Mr A and I enjoying our trip back from Brussels earlier this year Well what an exciting month this is turning out to be - it's a double whammy on the birthday front as I turn 30 and the little man turns 4 and to celebrate the big Three Zero we are heading to France. First we will be staying in Paris for 2 short nights before heading down on the TGV to the South of France, where my Mother and Brother will be joining us in our celebrations at a stunning Villa from James Villas . Being on the road it exactly how I want to spend my 30th and couldn't think of anything better especially since I lived in Nice for 6 months before having Mr A it's going to be wonderful to go back and show both John and the little man around as well as explore Provence, hill side towns and the rest of the French coast. This trip however is going to involved the longest day of travel we have taken with the little man as on our return we leaving in the 8am morning to do a 5 hour high spe......

Read more »