Nice = Perfect <3

So our first overnight train ride was....interesting. Haha. Less then ideal in terms of comfort, but love the idea of traveling and sleeping simultaneously. Plus nothing beats waking up and looking out the window to see the French countryside. I enjoyed about 2 1/2 hours of spectacular views of Tolouse, random hillside castles, vineyards, and Cannes. What a pretty part of the country. No doubt if I return to France this will be the area I come to visit. The big city is overrated for sure!

So we got off the train in Nice and stuck our luggage in a luggage locker. Meghan spotted the sign right away thanks to the tip to look for the sign with the suitcase on it! Then it was time to hit the beach!

We found a lil private club - Blue Beach Nice - and got right to relaxing! Our server, Joe, was the bomb!!! He told us lots about his city and showed the genuine hospitality we never experienced in Paris. I can now also say that I've officially sunbathed topless on the French Riviera! Hey - my classy friend Missy says everyone has to do it at least once, and if she says it's okay then I say it's okay! But my favorite part was the pug sunbathing on the beach :-) This was a true Parisienne-ish pug with all the right features, not the snaggletoothed monster I left behind in MD.

After a few hours, we showered to wash the train funk off and headed to the Chagall Museum, featuring many of his works depicting bible-related messages. The handheld tour guide gave lots of insight into the painting itself as well as the various messages. I think it's very interesting how he incorporated his hometown and his Jewish heritage into every piece in some form or another. This art was very different than the Chagall pieces hanging on my parents walls when I was growing up, and the contrast showed me just how versatile an artist he is. Plus, his collage-esque style engages my ADHD mind quite well. Don't worry Dad - I took lots and lots of pictures for you :-) I left vowing to refresh my bible history knowledge base - it's way too rusty.

Then it was time to catch the train to Milano :-) we grabbed wine, cheese, bread and a corkscrew and headed to Italia!



We thought we'd hear some announcement on the train, but instead Ashley's phone sent her a message saying "welcome to Italy!". It surprised us all how easy it is to move in between countries on the train. Our passports weren't checked or anything, which we're sorta bummed about because the country stamp is a good memory item!! We had a great piece of pizza at the train station - bigest piece EVER!!



Now we're in our lil private train car on our second leg into Milano. Italy isn't as pretty by train as France, that's for sure. The first pretty town I've seen is a port town that reminds me of my Charm City <3. It begs the question - how can Baltimore learn to capitalize on it's port ability more to increase it's attractiveness and desirability?


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