Help Cruise Critic's Editor with Your French Riviera Advice

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Cruise Critic's Editor in Chief Carolyn Spencer Brown is heading to the Western Mediterranean on a Disney cruise, and will be reporting on her experiences in a daily live video blog from Disney Magic, beginning April 26. The 11-night cruise visits eight ports, and she needs your advice about the best way to spend her time onshore in the French Riviera.

 

Please send her a virtual postcard (i.e., post to this thread!) by Monday, April 19, with your favorite places to go and things to do in Villefranche or the surrounding area, like Nice, Eze or Monaco. To keep things simple, please tailor your suggestions to the following three topics (suggestions can be, but do not need to be, kid-friendly):

 

· Best must-see attraction

· Favorite hidden gem or off-the-beaten-path attraction

· Best place for an authentic local lunch

 

We can't wait to read all your great advice! Who knows -- Carolyn might choose your suggestion for her own itinerary and talk about it in her daily video blog. So don't forget to check the Cruise Critic homepage come April 26 to hear all about Carolyn's travels when Disney Cruise Line returns to Europe.

[moyaroo]

Certainly the easiest to get to restaurants if you are tendering in to Villefranche are those right at the tender dock area. The church decorated by Jean Cocteau is a nearby attraction if only to see what a sinner can do when pressured by a Bishop. (Of course why would one buy lunch when free is only a tender away . . . local flavor, I suppose) We ate down there several years ago sans cruise ship but preferred the views from our hotel on the hill - food was nothing great but the combination of view, wine and good food made for a pleasant memory. At the end ofthe day the ambiance is almost more a part of the food memory as the food itself.

[TLCOhio]

Cruise Critic's Editor in Chief Carolyn Spencer Brown is heading to the Western Mediterranean on a Disney cruise, and will be reporting on her experiences in a daily live video blog from Disney Magic, beginning April 26. The 11-night cruise visits eight ports, and she needs your advice about the best way to spend her time onshore in the French Riviera.

 

Super high (for taste and view) on my list would be old village of Eze, along the coast between Nice and Monaco, hanging up in the mountains above the water and crowds. It's wonderful to visit. Great, great views! Totally charming! Have lunch at one of the two great eating places and feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise! We ate at the Château Eza. Its website: http://www.chateauezarestaurant.com. At 1,407 feet above the Mediterranean, Eze offers commanding views of cliffs, sea, sprawling estates and off-shore islands. The village's narrow streets or more really paths among the buildings lead to the Jardin Exotique It is a maze of paths flanked by mammoth flowering plants and spiky cactuses. Below are a couple of picture examples.

 

As I understand this Disney Magic cruise start in Barcelona on April 24, and then does Malta, Tunisia, Naples, Civitavecchia/Rome, La Spezia/Florence-Pisa, Corsica and Villefranche before returning to Barcelona. I would skip Naples, do Pompeii and hopefully Positano. Right on the water in this super charming seaside treasure is Chez Black's. Get the Fisherman's Stew there. In Barcelona, dining late at night on the water overlooking the harbor is great.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

The charming mountain top village of Eze is nearby and offers great view along the coast:

 

 

 

This shot shows more of the gardens at the top of Eze and also this shot offers great views along the coast:

 

 

 

Along the super scenic southern French coast west of Cannes:

 

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Carolyn has begun her video blogs from Disney Magic. You can see Day 1 and 2 (and come back for future videos) here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1107

 

They're pretty fun and will focus on both the ship and the ports. Enjoy!

[TLCOhio]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Carolyn has begun her video blogs from Disney Magic. You can see Day 1 and 2 (and come back for future videos) here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1107

They're pretty fun and will focus on both the ship and the ports. Enjoy!

 

Saw the video for Naples, Pompeii, etc. Very nice. I'm hooked! Where's the one from her visit to Rome? Is Carolyn having too much fun and being slow in posting the latest video?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

Nice video posting that Carolyn has just done from the French island of Corsica. This is the birthplace of Napolean Bonaparte and has a great beach and countryside sights to enjoy. Next, the CC editor will be visiting Eze, etc., along that popular French coast.

 

THANKS! Enjoying this thread! Terry in Ohio

[jjcruise2]

Terri-

 

Can you give me some advice on a do it yourself day in Cannes ,Monaco, etc??/

 

Thanks!

[TLCOhio]

Terri- Can you give me some advice on a do it yourself day in Cannes ,Monaco, etc??/ Thanks!

 

I (and others) would be happy to help, but since you are fairly new to these boards, here are three suggestions.

 

FIRST, scroll back through several pages of the earlier postings. You will see items on these related topic areas. SECOND, do a search on this board by each city and you will see lots of postings on various subjects connected with each port stop. THIRD, ask a specific follow-up on a new thread after taking the time to get that background, see other experiences, etc., you can post with specific questions in each port city. Be sure to have a title that narrows to your question so that other can know what you are seeking. There are lots and lots of great people and information here on these boards. Don't be shy in asking follow-up questions.

 

This thread is on another, totally different topic. We don't want to "high-jack" her subject. When you post your question, give some added details on when you are planning to visit this area, how many in your party, budget, personal interests, etc. You might have a title on your question such as "DIY: Cannes & Monaco?". Look forward to helping after learning details from you.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio