I recently visited Menton, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Gorbio, Saorge, in France and Ventimiglia, Italy. Here are my notes from my June 2024 trip to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
- Every driver in Menton and Antibes stopped for me as I attempted to cross the street, even when I was distracted and should have been paying more attention. What a different experience compared to Florida, where I now live!
- Ventimiglia’s hosts its legendary market only on Fridays. Contrary to what I’ve read in several other publications, neither Ventimiglia’s crowds nor its vibe were oppressive on a Friday morning in June, at 9:30 a.m. It did get busier closer to noon. Try to make the trip on a Friday at the beginning of your travels, so that you have time to enjoy the culinary treats available. I made the mistake of going on my second Friday, and couldn’t take full advantage of the delicious possibilities because I had a Sunday departure. https://wanderlearnrepeat.com/six-travel-tips-you-probably-know-but/
- It’s relatively easy to navigate the bus systems to various villages from Menton, but the buses are not frequent.
- If insects love you as much as they love me, you will need repellent, at least in June and July. I can’t speak for the rest of the year.
- I found Villefranche-sur-Mer stunningly beautiful, but I don’t place it on my favorite list. I found the town full of tourists speaking English. As an American, that’s a negative for me. It may be a great spot for travelers wanting to have the comfort of their own English language.
- If you have 4 hours or so, do take the bus to visit the small villages of Saorge and Gorbio. I saw very few other humans during the several hours I spent there. Especially for Saorge, wear comfy footwear with a good grip. Those hilly cobblestones are slippery!
- Talk to strangers. It’s so much fun. I had a blast giving directions, in a combination of French, Spanish, and Italian (which I don’t actually speak) to a young woman.
These are just my notes from MY trip to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. I’m always interested in your thoughts on this, my favorite region.
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