You know those trips that just kind of happen? I mean, you know you're going somewhere cool, but you're not entirely sure what to expect? That was me when I found myself in Nice. I'd read a bit about the best things to do in Nice, but honestly? I wasn't prepared for how much it would capture my heart.
This spot? Total surprise.
So picture this: I finally arrive at Côte d'Azur after a ridiculously long flight. I'm all jet-lagged and can barely think straight. I drop my bags and decide to take a stroll, just to get reacquainted with sunlight and fresh air. I'm wandering along the Promenade des Anglais, right? The Mediterranean is glistening like a million diamonds, and for a moment, I'm like, “Okay, this place is unreal.”
But then, as fate would have it, I take a wrong turn. I don't even know why—I have a GPS, which is supposed to make things easier, but I just feel this magnetic pull toward a side street speckled with colorful buildings. I walk into this little café called Café de Turin, and OH MY GOD, the smell hits me like a wave. It's seafood, and I'm suddenly entranced.
My nervousness about ordering in broken French fades when I see the chalkboard specials. The waiter looks like he's seen a lot of life but still manages to flash a giant grin. I point and hope for the best. Turns out it was a fresh seafood platter, and I think I was spooning lemon juice on everything like a woman possessed! Pristine oysters, juicy shrimp, and even mussels that just melted in my mouth. Who knew a wrong turn would land me here?
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Now onto the afternoon that honestly turned my whole mood around. I had planned to visit a famous art museum. Sounds great, right? But when I went there, it was under renovation. I stood outside feeling like a total sap, wondering why I'd picked that day of all days to visit. Admittedly, I sulked for a hot minute, contemplating my life choices when I should've been soaking in the sun.
But instead of just moping, I decided to go exploring. So I wandered off, half-heartedly looking for something to do. I ended up at this local market, Marché aux Fleurs, and wow, I mean WOW. The colors were insane. Brightly colored flowers spilling out of every stall, local produce that looked like it was straight from the earth, and I stumbled upon this stall where a lady was expertly arranging lavender bouquets.
I just stood there, watching her, and this soothing aroma wrapped around me like a warm hug. I ended up buying a little pouch of lavender (which I now keep next to my bed), and the vendor, with her genuine smile, shared that dried lavender brings good dreams. Honestly, it felt like fate, like I was exactly where I needed to be. I walked away feeling lighter, like all that initial disappointment just evaporated.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
You know how I mentioned my awful sense of direction? Let me tell you about the evening that almost went south—literally. I had my sights set on finding this little restaurant about a mile away that someone had raved about earlier. It was supposed to be tucked away in a charming alley and known for its authentic Niçoise cuisine.
Throw in a couple of wrong turns, and suddenly I'm trudging through an area that looks sketchier than I'd like to admit. I'm sweating bullets, convinced I'm going to end up in some bizarre episode of “Locked Up Abroad.” But instead of giving up, I keep going—mostly because what else was I going to do? I'm already here and kind of curious about what I'd find.
And it was then that I stumbled upon this striking old street lined with quaint shops and an outdoor bar that looked like the set of a movie. I can't even recall the name of it now, but the vibe was perfect. People were sitting outside, laughing—just enjoying life. So I took a seat, ordered a pastis (like a local!), and somehow ended up chatting with this French artist who was sketching nearby.
He told me about the local art scene, the hidden gems I should see, and needless to say, I was an absolute sponge soaking in every word. And guess what? I ended up staying longer than I planned, skipping that restaurant to have the most perfect unplanned meal at the bar. It was like the universe was nudging me away from the ‘plan' and toward this beautiful spontaneity that makes travel so damn special.
This meal stayed with me
Oh, and the meal that completely knocked my socks off? It was at this cozy little bistro I just stumbled upon when I finally got my bearings back. The coq au vin was life-changing. I mean, I wasn't expecting anything too wild, but this dish was a warm embrace of flavors! Tender chicken drenched in this rich red wine sauce, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes that were fluffy clouds on my plate. After a couple of glasses of wine, I genuinely felt like I was being nurtured by the whole dining experience.
Somewhere in the middle of my devouring, the owner, this delightful woman in her forties, stopped by to ask me about my thoughts on the dish. My broken French came pouring out like some kind of heartfelt confession. I ended up chatting with her about my travels, and she shared some stories about her family's recipes that had been passed down for generations. It was one of those moments where food turned into more than sustenance; it became a weaving of stories and culture.
Finding the magic in the mess
I came back from Nice with a heart full of unexpected memories and experiences. It's funny to think about all those initial doubts, all the wrong turns, the sketchy alleys that somehow illuminated new paths. It wasn't about following a meticulously crafted itinerary but rather just letting the city's charm and my eagerness to explore lead the way.
Sipping coffee again now, I'm still smiling about the people I met and moments that felt serendipitous. Each one of those small mistakes led me to discover the best things to do in Nice, right when I least expected them. Life has that way of surprising you, doesn't it? That beautiful mess of it all just makes it all the more worthwhile.
