Nice - Sunday 13 August

We both had a good sleep last night, of around 8 to 9 hours. We had bought some fruit and milk at the supermarket and had that for breakfast in our room this morning. Unfortunately the yoghurt had been in the fridge with the fridge door left slightly open and the yoghurt had got warm so we threw it out. We had arranged to meet the Barrows at 10 AM and agreed to catch the train around to Place Garibjaldi and then to walk around to the port area and see if we could get a ride on the one hour Tranz Côte d'Azur boat tour that travelled across to Villefranche and then back across the sea to view Nice from the water. Unfortunately the boat was booked out at 11 AM and so we had to book for 3 PM instead.

We had found it easy to catch the train, costing one Euro 50 each for tickets we purchased from a machine. Then we had hopped on for a short ride along Boulevard Jean Jaures, to take us closer to the port. To fill in the time until we could get the boat ride we went up on Castle Rock, David and I taking the elevator and the Barrows walking up the path. The views were magnificent at the top, across the port and across the city of Nice.





It was a glorious day with blue skies and very warm (around 27C but not too hot). A lot of people were out and about. We agreed to meet the Barrows down in the old town (Vieux Nice) around an hour later at a particular place recommended by Rick Steves, to have some lunch and then to wander back to the port for our boat tour. David and I got there first even though we were quite seriously lost and had to ask for directions at one shop. We stopped at the cafe in the square and ordered Nicoise salads each. David enjoyed the bread basket with the salad. The Barrows arrived shortly after and headed away to pick up bread rolls and meet us 20 minutes later for the walk back to the port.

We checked in on the sights recommended by Rick Steve's, as we wandered through the streets of Vieux Nice. There were a couple of lovely churches, and a big market. We eventually stopped on the promenade for drinks and ice cream (best caramel ice cream I've ever had).

We arrived back at the port half an hour early and the queue was just beginning and we had to stand in the heat for 20 minutes before the boat boarded. David and I got good seats at the back and enjoyed the one hour tour on the boat. While we were waiting for the tour to begin, I almost fell asleep with the gentle rocking of the boat. The sea was slightly choppy as we made our way across to Villefranche and had a good look at the scenery there (we couldn't really make out the commentary that wasn't very clear over the speaker) - the views from the sea were excellent. I got splashed by the bow wave a few times but it was fine, the water was refreshing. But I did start to feel a bit seasick - just slightly. The boat also cruised past Nice's promenade, another interesting perspective from the sea.



After the cruise I suggested that we make our way along the promenade following Rick Steves guide with the Barrows going ahead and all the way along to the Hotel Negresco, while David and I were going slower behind and stopping at the Albert I Park. We would meet the Barrows there and then head back towards our hotel, stopping for a refreshing drink on the way. We did that and had a very enjoyable few drinks at a bar nearby. I had a 'Sex on the Beach' cocktail and managed to get very plonked very quickly, to the extent of having the giggles and not being able to stop. It reminded us of what I was like as we arrived by train in Amsterdam, after a cup couple of those individualised bottles of bubbly on the train. Finally, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up before going out for dinner nearby.

Sadly, being Sunday, both of the restaurants with good reviews were closed, but another next door to them was open, so that is where we went.... all I can do now is to post the review that I subsequently wrote for Trip Advisor...

Restaurant Davia:

We visited this restaurant on a Sunday evening. Our table of four ordered: A ravioli, a chicken cordon bleu, a ratatouille and a lamb dish (one of the few suggestions available, with me being gluten free). Our waitress was friendly and helpful, and came back with a bottle of Chablis we had ordered, but forgot the water. Almost an hour later, our main dishes arrived... what a disappointment - indeed one of the worst meals we have ever had - particularly the ravioli and the lamb. The ravioli came in a brown sauce with nothing else; the chicken cordon bleu came with no accompaniments and nothing else on the plate but the chicken; the ratatouille was a very small cold dish (but quite nice) and the lamb was simply three barbecued and fatty chops plonked on a plate and accompanied by a plate of french fries and a simple salad - we had no idea these would be the accompaniments.. What, you may ask, did I pay for these lamb chops, fries and basic green salad? €22 you have to be kidding! The ravioli was not up to an acceptable standard either - the plate was full of brown gravy and the ravioli floated on top - it was awash in the gravy. We had no service after the drinks were delivered. The meals were served almost an hour later and simply left with us. When I asked if there had been a mistake with the price of my lamb meal, I was told no, that was correct. I stated that it was disgusting, but the money was there and I stalked off, the others at my table also expressed their disgust, but the only response given, was that this was Nice! Well, these meals were no comparison to the meals we had in Nice last night at Chez Papa. Avoid Restaurant Davia. Certainly don't order the lamb chops!