The French Riviera : Nice & Cannes

Pure money, if you want to see that, the French Riviera is the place to be. The condos you drive around, the shops on the promenade, the cars, the party places, they all smell of money! Its been where the moneyed of Europe have been vacationing since ages, and so is to be expected, but still, its quite a sight!

We spent some time on the Cannes Beach. Its quite near Nice, which has an airport. The drive from Nice to Cannes is pretty, next to the sea, ups and downs, and luxurious apartments on both sides (One day, maybe...:) ).


Its cool to be there in summer, lots of cafes, lots of sun, sit there sipping drinks and taking in the view. The beach, I did not find very impressive, but the shops, definitely! Have seen the stores in London too, but Cannes was definitely something else. We walked around a bit in the market too. (interesting to see, not as much to buy from though...!) Cannes has the annual film festival, which of course we did not get to see. But if you get a chance to be there at that time, would be fun to see the celebrities from the world descending there.

Nice was also similar. The lanes and buildings are old, and well maintained. Other than that, the only thing to spend time in Nice is on the beach. Apparently, the not so rich stay in Nice, and the very rich go to St Tropez!

We partied a bit in Nice, in a club near the beach road. The parties continue till early morning (5 am). There are enough watersports to do here, we did para sailing and banana boat (its called something like that I think). The place does get a little too hot in the summer though. The old city can be visited, did not figure out what there is to see though! If you have enough time, do visit Monaco, its about 18 miles from Nice, and the road is supposed to be scenic, and the casinos fun too.

Breezy Barcelona

The liveliest city in the world for sure (Rio may come close though from what I have heard, can decide between the two only once I go there though!), Barcelona is a city which makes you feel alive! Have been there twice, but the first trip was definitely memorable!! Its a city which deserves longer than a weekend to discover it though! The city is modern and traditional, old and new, it has the hills and the sea, the dance and the music which is what the Spaniards are famous for, its just mind-blowing! The first time, we stayed in a village 60kms out of the city (not because we wanted to experience the country life, but because of friends who dont check before booking the accommodation:)) ). So every morning, we used to take a one hour train to the city, it was like living in the suburbs!!

Anyways, it was sunny weather, and a long weekend, so the place was really alive! We took the tourist bus for two days, and I took my friends to each and every touristy place there is in the city! Gaudi uncle was a favourite though. You see these funny looking buildings, built in curves interspersed within the city. They look straight out of a fairy tale.

One of them is this temple called Sangrada Familia, which had been under construction for years! Someday it will get completed. The temple really looks bizarre..

There are a couple of other such funny looking buildings, being used for residence and commercial purposes, have put some pictures.

Las Ramblas is the place to be in the evenings! The street is lined on both sides with eating places, which you can savour sitting outside in the sun. There are street artists, in fancy dress, or dancing or showing magic or painting on the street itself. Lost money to one of those 'which bowl is the dice under' game, and not once but twice! so beware...!! At the end of this street is a mall, which has three clubs on the top, open till late at night. Believe me, partying is gooooood in Barcelona. Another famous place, is the Razzmazztaz club, its has 5 dance floors, and the place opens only after 10pm! Must-go! Flamenco is the famous dance, quite different and I would say aggressive too. Should watch that if you get a chance.

The Olympic village is a good place for the view of the city. The palace with its huge gates,is magnificent......

Barcelona has a beach, which I am not a fan off. Too much crowd, nothing much to write about.

Its a pleasure (yet again!) to walk on the roads. The lanes are huge, with a complete lane of just parks in between!

Haven't seen it anywhere else in the world. Lot of the usual, churches, old temples, Gaudi buildings to check out in the city. If you are a Barca fan, should definitely catch one of the football games of the home team in the city. Shopping is interesting, especially because Spain is the home to Zara, my favourite.

Spanish people are friendly and very very lively. English isn't as easy to go by though. Food is good, try the tapas, especially the different potato recipes they have. In fact, the Mcdonalds happy meals in Barcelona offer beer as one of the free drinks, that's also something I have never seen before.